AusBonsai

On monday evening at the B S of W A meeting there were three demonstrations of Saikei running simultaneously. One was of Shimpaku, one of Ficus rubiginosa.

The one I was more interested in was the one by the President. Dianne was using a native I had not seen that I knew of certainly worked with.

I asked her where she got them, the next day I went and bought 7 at $2-95 each. The most fascinating thing to me was the foliage. It is very much like a Juniper,
I looked it up in my trusty cyclopedia botanica they have 13 listed. So I am not sure which one I have.

The only information was Calytrix to 1.5 m. So I will post a pic of the foliage hoping some of the many Horticulturists as well as Botanist might be able to help.

I think the will make very useful Miniatures as well as good material for root on rock as well as Saikei. Here is one I cooked this morning along with some just pruned to shape. One thing I have found is old wood is stiff and brittle young wood is easy to bend. The colour is a bit dull at the moment.
The nursery that I got them from has an artesian bore that is very heavy in iron stained water. The rock is a piece of Iron stone collected from the Southern Cross Bruce rock area of the eastern Goldfields of W A no gold in it.

Cheers Pup

Great to see others trying out new species of natives.
I've been trying our local species Calytrix tetragona - great trunks and bark, nice small leaves and really hardy. They grow in cracks and pockets on bare granite slabs so Pup's rock planting may be really appropriate.
So far, for me, it appears to be VERY brittle. Even thin wood breaks easily. I have not been able to get it to shoot back on bare wood yet so if anyone can do this please let us know.

i love the look of the foliage on these pup! i want one...i want twenty thats great work too!

does it say how hardy these ones are? and what they like climate wise?


jamie

Jamie wrote:i love the look of the foliage on these pup! i want one...i want twenty thats great work too!

does it say how hardy these ones are? and what they like climate wise?


jamie

At this stage the only information I have is from the Encyclopaedia Botanica. Not being absolute as to what species I have all I can say is they are in the main drought resistant but frost tender.
So that should be OK up there mate.There is one from SA and VIC called a snow myrtle, that is frost resistant but drought tender. All are lovers of light well drained soil.

Depending on species as for full sun or shade at this juncture of reading it is about 50=50 of the 13 species I have to read about.
I do not think the flowers will be of help because some will have 3 different coloured ones ranging from white yellow to lilac and pink.
So that is all I have at the moment.
Cheers Pup

no probs pup

i am sure the best way to learn is to work with them even though it is a bit trial and error. i will be keeping my eye out for these and if i cant find them i will be getting them online


jamie