Young Nicholii

[JaseH]

So I'm developing an interest in Bonsai, but still have a lot to learn! I picked up this E. Nicholii today, inspired by some of the other examples I had seen around, I really like the natural eucalyptus look and this species appeals to me with its fine leaves. Its very young at the moment but am hoping to grow it out a little and evenually turn it into something worthwhile. I am just not sure how to start off. The lower portion of the trunk is quite uninspiring, it has some better movement further up.

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So how do I start off with this? Just put it in a pot and feed it for a while, or should I start training it now while its young?

I'm thinking the upper section would make a good air layer candidate - do these take ok to air layering? If so is there a specific age they need to be for it to work?

[Waltron]

The first thing that i would do is try to get some movement into that lower trunk while it is still young.

[RogerW]

Before you try to bend the trunk, I suggest tht you observe how Ironbarks grow. They have fairly straight trunks in the C aberra area.

[shibui]

I'm thinking the upper section would make a good air layer candidate - do these take ok to air layering? If so is there a specific age they need to be for it to work?

Fly bri was doing some good work with layering red gums a couple of years back. might be worth searching for some of those posts and see if there's anything you could adapt and try with this species. this tree is probably only a year old so taking the time and trouble to layer it seems pointless. Easier and quicker to grow another one and you will have total control over the shape.
Most of the good euc bonsai I have seen are quite large trees and few, if any have dramatic bends. Try looking for some of Peter H posts on eucalypts. The straight lower trunk would not be such a problem if you grew this into a larger tree.

[JaseH]

Fly bri was doing some good work with layering red gums a couple of years back. might be worth searching for some of those posts and see if there's anything you could adapt and try with this species. this tree is probably only a year old so taking the time and trouble to layer it seems pointless. Easier and quicker to grow another one and you will have total control over the shape.
Most of the good euc bonsai I have seen are quite large trees and few, if any have dramatic bends. Try looking for some of Peter H posts on eucalypts. The straight lower trunk would not be such a problem if you grew this into a larger tree.

Yeah I think you may be right in starting with a seedling to train. I have seen some of PeterH's eucalypts, awesome - partly what inspired me to get one.

Seeing I already have this though, I may as well play around with it I suppose. I might chop the trunk back and see if I can introduce some more character that way. Can only learn something. How hardy are these at this age when it comes to chopping off large amounts?

[JR_J]

Hi JaseH,
Before you do anything to this little Nicholii and since you're in Melbourne, come to the BSV club meeting next week on Monday 27th Jan as a visitor - see post viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14112 "Celebrate - Australia Day" from Gerard, who is the current President of BSV. Quentin, one of "The" Experts on Natives and the President of the Vic Native Bonsai Club will give a presentation on natives and I'm sure there will be some large Nicholii on display as well.
You'll learn quite a bit and enjoy a good night out - meeting starts at 8:00PM.

Cheers, Rudi

[JaseH]

Thanks Rudi, I'll make an effort to get there.

[JaseH]

Thought I should post an update here - just to show how quickly some natives can be developed. This tree was displayed in the Vic Native exhibition over the weekend - just a little over 2 years after the photo's taken at the start of the thread. It is still a young tree and has a long way to go but its certainly come along quickly.

Thanks to Gerard for the photo - it turned out better than the ones I took!

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[Lane]

2 years! You gotta be happy with that!

[squizzy]

You have an eye for it jase . Well done. This is going to look cool as the bark matures. I can picture a Peter H tree?

Squizz

[Kevin]

Hello JaseH,

Well done.
I like what you have created, looking forward to more future images of your E. nicholii.

Kevin

[Jarad]

Nice work mate!

[KIRKY]

JaseH, how tall is it? Great work in only two years
Cheers
Kirky

[matlea]

Good result in the time frame... Well done!

[JaseH]

JaseH, how tall is it? Great work in only two years
Cheers
Kirky

I haven't actually measured it, but I would estimate around 350-400mm from the soil level.