Total change of direction for my bent Melaleuca

[Josh]

Ok so I first started tis tree here viewtopic.php?f=104&t=13710&hilit=+bending
I got some really good movement out of this tree and it powered away with new growth but unfortunately after going away with work for several days and leaving the missus in charge of watering it died
My fault really as I hadn't explained properly that on 45 deg days these trees need watering more than once and not just a sprinkle. I came home to find brown crispy leaves. Anyway (take a deep breath) I kinda tossed it on the dead pile (read plant hospital, kept watering but didn't think it would do much) and just to prove me wrong it reshot from down on the base.
The main trunk died off but this little shoot took off. I cut back the large main trunk which was now totally dead and rotting then re-potted it and away it went.

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So this tree decided to grow on and this time I've kept it in a tray of water and it loves it.

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I cleaned it up and wired it today

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It is growing off a "log". I plan to hollow out each end to give the appearance of a totally hollow log. Out of interest do you think I could hollow out the log totally

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I'm thinking it might look good in this pot

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Comments welcome

Josh

[Josh]

Carved out the log today. I want to create the old tree that has fallen over and reshot, the log on the bottom rots out over time leaving a place for animals to hide/live.

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My questions is should I use lime sulphur or should I treat it with earls wood hardener??

Josh

[kcpoole]

The problem I see with any treatment will be to keep it away from the roots so it does not kill the tree.
Either will be difficult but a small brush will get in the ok and certainly help it last.

Amazing how resilient trees are !, Who said natives were delicate
great work

Ken

[Josh]

The problem I see with any treatment will be to keep it away from the roots so it does not kill the tree.
Either will be difficult but a small brush will get in the ok and certainly help it last.

Amazing how resilient trees are !, Who said natives were delicate
great work

Ken

Yeah that was my main concern Ken, it leaching onto the roots. Think I'll use the wood hardener as I don't really want to bleach as such. This tree is quite amazing. It has put out new roots all along the log from everywhere. I didn't think it would root like it has along the length of the log. Tough little buggers these are. My main concern is rotting but near us here they grow in straight water/swamp so not sure how much of an issue that will be.

Josh

[Jason]

I'd go with the wood hardener as well, having it too bleached wouldn't look right I don't think ( )

Curious to see how it turns out

[Josh]

I'd go with the wood hardener as well, having it too bleached wouldn't look right I don't think ( )

Curious to see how it turns out

Yeah I agree the bleached look wouldn't work on this one. I am also curious to see how this turns out ( if it survives actually).

Josh.

[Josh]

Thought I should update this tree. It survived the hollowing out of the log, in fact it has thrived.

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You can view the rock being carved here viewtopic.php?f=29&t=13598&hilit=+rock+pot

Pretty happy with where the tree is going so far. Still needs some branch placement but getting there. Comments welcome.
Josh

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[Isitangus]

Hi josh looking good-few minor comments. I would like to see the height reduced, I think this will give more emphasis on the root, at the moment the size tends to draw you away from it.
Love the pot but not sure the combination works-it has very similar colours as the tree so the tree and root get absorbed by it, I would be inclined for a natural flatter rock. I would lose the moss and just go for a natural rock colour-maybe a few larger rocks jutting out. Just minor comments that this newby feels would take it to the next level.great tree and I'd happily have it on my bench!

[Raymond]

OUTSTANDING!!

[Watto]

I like it, well done mate!

[Ray M]

Hi Josh,
Looking at the first photo, in a colander, to your latest photo, great. Please keep posting as you continue your development of the tree.

Regards Ray

[marcela]

Hi Josh, hope you bring this to the December meeting, it will be a good discussion/ critique topic.
Love it!
Marcela

[Josh]

Hi josh looking good-few minor comments. I would like to see the height reduced, I think this will give more emphasis on the root, at the moment the size tends to draw you away from it.
Love the pot but not sure the combination works-it has very similar colours as the tree so the tree and root get absorbed by it, I would be inclined for a natural flatter rock. I would lose the moss and just go for a natural rock colour-maybe a few larger rocks jutting out. Just minor comments that this newby feels would take it to the next level.great tree and I'd happily have it on my bench!

Hi Isitangus,
I have let it grow a bit as I had pruned it reasonably hard to encourage back budding. If I don't do this it tends to tip grow only. Because of this I have let it grow to thicken the branches and fill out again. It will be pruned and bought back a bit.
The photo doesn't do the rock or tree justice. It sits really well in the rock and gives it a real Australian feel. The rock is wet in the photo and is actually slightly paler normally.
Over all I'm pretty happy with the setting as is at the moment, but appreciate the comments.

OUTSTANDING!!

I like it, well done mate!

Thanks Guys, pretty happy with how this tree has filled out. The log is looking good with the hollow effect. Even had slaters and other bugs in it.

Hi Josh,
Looking at the first photo, in a colander, to your latest photo, great. Please keep posting as you continue your development of the tree.

Regards Ray

Thanks Ray, now I wonder where I got that idea from lol. I grow most in colanders now. I was amazed how many roots this had when I pulled it out of the colander and how close they are to the tree Growing in the colander definitely made a difference to how quickly this responded Will keep updating as I go.

Thanks
Josh

[Josh]

Hi Josh, hope you bring this to the December meeting, it will be a good discussion/ critique topic.
Love it!
Marcela

Will do Marcela. Hopefully I can make that one lol.