AusBonsai

I'm fairly new to bonsai, and am collecting plants for future use. Can anyone tell me if camphor laurel are worth trying - I have a couple of seedlings and a larger one I've transplanted to a pot.This forum is a great resource for me,much appreciated.

hey mate i had the same thoughts so i dug one up and have been training it for about two years now and it is becoming quite and interesting tree. i have found them to be quite fast growing however constant trimming and defoliation is a must to keep leaf internodes small. the new growth is also good to wire however as it becomes woody it is brittle and prone to snapping

hope this helps regards jarryd

Interesting on the Camphor Laurel as I have always been told it is one of the trees that cannot be bonsaiied because cutting the tap root kills the tree. I'll pass this info around to the doubters... but one was Dorothy Koreshoff.

too many myths out there is what i say. bustm wide open! cutting the tap root and dying is another tired excuse. there is much that has been written in the past, that is now a bunch of out dated and useless information.

I have had a Camphor laurel for about 4 years now and never had a problem with it. The only thing I have noticed is that the branches die if below horizantal however maybe I was a bit harsh when applying wire:evil: Certainly they grow well in Sydney and quite a few books have them listed as suitable for growing. I think it comes down to the old saying of 'Have a go ya mug' The worst that can happen is that it dies however the alternative is that it thrives

i have branches below horizontal that are growing fine. mine is firing atm. re cutting the tap root, i cut it back only a small amount on first collection then each repotting i have trimmed it back a little more.

it will be iteresting to see how it is going under the soil.

I too am new to bonsai but have loved camphor laurels all my life. However, in Queensland it is illegal to sell them as they are considered a noxious weed. I want one for a bonsai. What is the best way to propagate them? I have tried several cuttings but had no luck so far. Any suggestions?

Hiya gneaton, and welcome.
Can't really help you on the camphor laurel, I know bay laurel is quite difficult but possible, sometimes better to look for basal shoots and take those rather than cuttiings. I would suggest be generous with the hormone gel, do not the soil dry out, and give it a good long time to take. You may want to cover with a plastic tent or cutoff drink bottle to keep the humidity up.

Thanks for a prompt reply Greth. What about air layering? I have a neighbour with one (don't know the neighbour, but willing to introduce myself). Also there is one on the footpath near my husband's work. Anyone know if it is worth the attempt?

anttal63 wrote:too many myths out there is what i say. bustm wide open! cutting the tap root and dying is another tired excuse. there is much that has been written in the past, that is now a bunch of out dated and useless information.

what an amazing and evolving art we are apart of i say! it was great to read your comment ant! and i totally agree!!! there are basic rules as with all gardening... then there are the myths that hinder any further movement!
"Break the rules and brag about good results" this isn't math! never will be! thats my motto!

nature is a mysterious beast...

luke

P.S. the only time iv came close to a camphor laurel is on a high school lathe, smells so strong and good! amazing grain patterns too!
i am about to learn more...

thanks
peace

The hints I am going on are these: this plant is weedlike in your area, and is common in nurseries everywhere else. Usually this is a good indicator that the thing can be propagated very easily, commercial nurseries don't bother with difficult plants. And the most likely method is by cutting.

Thanks. I will keep trying. This time I have put them in diatomite as I have had good results with this rather than potting mix for other cuttings. I'll let you know how I get on.

I ripped one out of a creek bank on someone's farm while fishing. It was somewhat naturally bonsia'd (from cows) but i found it didnt back bud on old branches so i sort of gave up. It is still growing in a pot out the back, i may give it another go. Does anyone have photos of one? Cheers.

here's a pic from about 6 months ago of the one ive been playing with, still got some work to go but is coming along nicely.

Reminds me a little bit of your avatar/profile pic jarryd!