AusBonsai

Thought I should start uploading some pics of my callistemon for future reference & updates.
Don't know what species it is. Originally reduced price nursery stock material. Decided early on to go for a windswept feel after ripping out the main trunk & keeping just x2 low side branches.

The vessel:

That’s a great tree love the moss cover near the trunk. What is the vessel made of?


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Akhi wrote:What is the vessel made of?

Hi Akhi, thanks for your interest.
The vessel is layers of salvaged iron roofing from an old shearing shed. It has wonderful age.
My friend even found the old wool baling stencil.

Right out of the top drawer KC&R.

Clever in a whole range of ways. I really like the tree shape in the last 'vessel' photo too.

Great photos. Thanks for starting the thread.

Love your thinking with the presentation of this one KCAR, looks fantastic!

Verrrry noice!! Can't get much more Aussie than that. Perhaps use some sheep droppings for fertilizer? Ready made pellets.

Just beware of the iron pot. I don't think it will retain water like the previous ceramic container so you may need to water more. Also possible that the heat will be conducted more through the iron and dry it out still more. Just something to be watching out for.

WOW ,Terrific combination K.C.R. a real winner .Boundaries are there to be pushed keep up the good work. Cheers John.

Quick photo update - I think this one is starting to show some nice age in the bark by using the clip & grow method.

Looking good Mate.
I think I prefer when a bit more "bushy" but the sparse look now is all good too!

Gnarly and rough ,very nice K.C.R. Cheers John.

cheers Boom & Boics,
Quick question, have either of you guys (or anyone else reading) grown bottlebrush as bonsai?
I am having issues getting blooms to develop on this one, even when the growth was left untouched to fully extend way way long- nothing developed on the ends of the branches?
I tried Pup's trimming & timing method last season, but still to no avail. I've tried adding extra potash when fertilising also, but still nothing.
It gets full all day sun, ample water, and plenty of sweet sweet lovin'.

Any tips?

Keep Calm and Ramify wrote:cheers Boom & Boics,
Quick question, have either of you guys (or anyone else reading) grown bottlebrush as bonsai?
I am having issues getting blooms to develop on this one, even when the growth was left untouched to fully extend way way long- nothing developed on the ends of the branches?
I tried Pup's trimming & timing method last season, but still to no avail. I've tried adding extra potash when fertilising also, but still nothing.
It gets full all day sun, ample water, and plenty of sweet sweet lovin'.

Any tips?

Hi KC&R.

I wonder if subspecies makes a difference? I only have a couple of different varieties and only one of which I have really allowed to grow on enough to flower, callistemon viminalis. Even this had to extend to approximately 1ft+ before producing flowers. As I grow this as Shohin I feel I shall never have flowers on it as a show tree. I have never done anything to try make it flower earlier, this has just occurred while growing on stock. How far have you extended branches?? As stated I wasn't trying to get flowers on a compact bonsai, it just occurred while growing on. Hopefully someone can tell us how to get them on a more compact tree.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Hey Percy,
Thanks so much for your reply
Is viminalis a weeping callistemon?
As I don't know what species my tree is, I was thinking if its a weeping variety I may have to leave the branches grow super long (perhaps untouched over a few seasons?) to finally get flowers on the ends? The closest I've come has been the pic below, where if you squint your eyes to the bottom left of the tree you will see one lonely bunch of flowers forming - from memory I think these aborted before blooming anyways.
That pic was taken Oct 2017.
I WANT SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR!!!