Leptospermum Scoparium - From Tubestock

[Patmet]

This Leptospermum Scoparium is starting to become interesting with lots of options moving forward. It was started from tube stock in 2019. It's been on the back burner for a while but I've recently given it a cut back. It really needs to be re-pot next as it's been sitting in this one for years now.

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December 2019 around the time it was started.

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March 2021. Not much progression as I was still in early stages learning how to grow plants.

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Jan 2022. I decided to flip it over and try and start shaping it into a cascade.

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How it's looking now December 2024 after a big cut back.

[Rory]

Looking very good Pat, I love it!

Just an observation, and please don't take this as condescending, .... but this would be the only species I remind myself not to allow it to 'grow on for long' in a large container. When you get the tree to your ideal size, reducing the rootball later on can be fatal on this species. I have since found that its better to keep the container small, and just let the tree grow at a slower rate. This particular species is a pretty good grower anyway, but its just heartbreaking after a decade or so, having the tree die from root reduction when you start to eat away at the roots. I also found that its so important for this species that you need a lot of hair on it, to always maintain good health.

[Patmet]

Looking very good Pat, I love it!

Just an observation, and please don't take this as condescending, .... but this would be the only species I remind myself not to allow it to 'grow on for long' in a large container. When you get the tree to your ideal size, reducing the rootball later on can be fatal on this species. I have since found that its better to keep the container small, and just let the tree grow at a slower rate. This particular species is a pretty good grower anyway, but its just heartbreaking after a decade or so, having the tree die from root reduction when you start to eat away at the roots. I also found that its so important for this species that you need a lot of hair on it, to always maintain good health.

Thanks mate. Don't worry I realise now I shouldn't have left this particular species for so long to get root bound. I read your threads about these and how you approach root work. I figured I should tackle it now as I have to have a crack some time or another or it will only get worse. I repotted it into a shallower, wider pot a week ago. The root system looked really nice and healthy which is good. I left a decent amount of root and didn't touch the inner most root ball. I think it will be better to chip away slowly over many years.

I've tried my best and hopefully it will be ok. I'll keep it updated with what happens moving forward