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Houdini

Posted: January 14th, 2009, 11:17 pm
by Pup
This tree I fondly call Houdini. I t escaped death four ( 4 ) times. From harsh summer heat the last time was December 2007. This is a progression of what it was to what it is. It is still not what it was. The treatment was plenty of water till new growth started. The last time I took pics it was from the first till the sixth of December. Some of Soltan's favorite Auxin's were used as well. Here we go the pics are small but you can still see what happened. :D :D Pup
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as you can see this tree has amazing recuperative powers. This is the fourth time!! I hope I do not go though it again. :D :D Pup

Re: Houdini

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 7:43 am
by Jon Chown
Who said Aussie Natives were not tough? Thanks for sharing those photos Pup, I can only imagine the feeling seeing it like picture 2.

Jon

Re: Houdini

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 8:04 am
by Marc
Beautiful tree, thanks for sharing. I've had a few differnt plants over the years on the brink of death, only to come back healthy again, I hate going through that, so i know what you are going through.

Re: Houdini

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 8:58 am
by teejay
Another awesome tree Pup. Did you grow this one from a seedling and shape the trunk early on as it has a great shape, or did you shape it from older nursery stock? I just ask because I'm collecting Mels from nurserys at all different ages and I've found they need to be quite young to bend sufficiently.

Re: Houdini

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 8:59 am
by teejay
oh and what is it?

Re: Houdini

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 9:48 am
by kcpoole
Very nice work Pup

The photo with th new growth near the trunk reminds me of Newly burnt Bush.
As the gums recover they throw lots of growth near the trunk in little clumps.

Maybe we can replicate this effect adn call it the "Aussie Style" posting.php?mode=reply&f=7&t=473#" :D
Ken

Re: Houdini

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 10:00 am
by Pup
kcpoole wrote:Very nice work Pup

The photo with th new growth near the trunk reminds me of Newly burnt Bush.
As the gums recover they throw lots of growth near the trunk in little clumps.

Maybe we can replicate this effect adn call it the "Aussie Style" posting.php?mode=reply&f=7&t=473#" :D
Ken
You trying to start a fight Ken :P :lol:

Teejay it is subject to conjecture as to the name. I have been told by the boffins. it is M, parviflora, the description of Alternifolia fits it but,
It was dug from a swamp in Southern River a suburb of Perth. As I have said if it is alternfolia. It was astrong bird or wind. As alternifolia is native to the Coffs Harour Maryborough district on the east coast. The way the East wind is blowing this morning I can believe it. ;) :D Pup

Re: Houdini

Posted: May 6th, 2012, 11:50 am
by The Hacker
Hi Pup

How's this little baby going at the moment hope his still alive as it's a bloody nice tree :tu:

Regard's The Hacker

Re: Houdini

Posted: May 6th, 2012, 5:45 pm
by Pup
The Hacker wrote:Hi Pup

How's this little baby going at the moment hope his still alive as it's a bloody nice tree :tu:

Regard's The Hacker
Yes it is still alive, and undergoing some changes that are needed but I will post some pics, if you want!.

Cheers Pup

Re: Houdini

Posted: May 7th, 2012, 11:18 am
by The Hacker
Pup wrote:
The Hacker wrote:Hi Pup

How's this little baby going at the moment hope his still alive as it's a bloody nice tree :tu:

Regard's The Hacker
Yes it is still alive, and undergoing some changes that are needed but I will post some pics, if you want!.

Cheers Pup
Thank's Pup

Yes that would be very nice if you could do that as it give's us all a look at what can happen for some unknown resion & with time how we can change a bad into a good

Regard's The Hacker

Re: Houdini

Posted: May 7th, 2012, 7:49 pm
by Pup
Hi ya Hacker, here is the tree as of 2 hours ago it has been thinned, and the bottom two branches have been rewired to reflect the natural style of this species.

As I have said it has been named as Melaleuca parviflora, but with some conjecture, M, alternifolia was suggested, but I don't think so.

So I either call it that, or M, spp. I am happy with this tree, it does have history, which is very important to me.
Any way here's the pic.
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Re: Houdini

Posted: May 7th, 2012, 9:23 pm
by The Hacker
Hi Pup

Thank's Very much for posting the photo it's looking pretty good from where I'm sitting hope it look's as good from your end :tu2: :tu2:

Regard's The Hacker

Re: Houdini

Posted: May 7th, 2012, 10:39 pm
by Craig
Beautiful as always Pup :tu: ,

Hacker, the trunk is twice as awesome in real life mate, :beer:

Re: Houdini

Posted: May 8th, 2012, 12:52 am
by Pup
Thank you both for your comments, yes Hack I am very happy with the way it is heading. As the lead said it is a very special tree.

It was given to me by a mates widow he collected it from a swamp in Gosnells a southern suburb of Perth in 1992, before he started any serious work he died. His wife then asked me to help to sell off his trees and stands. As like a lot of wives, she was not really interested.

This tree was offered as stock to any one who wanted it for $10-00 no takers so it was given to me by Pam.
I then started to think what, and I started, but it was before Digi cameras and phones. So no early pics.

Then it was chosen for the 2001 AABC and it took out the best in show. President of BCI at the time Solita D Rosade. The first time this award was given in Australia. If you ask Lindsay Bebb he will gladly tell you he left me speechless.

So for those who are interested in tree history, this was shown in the BCI magazine for the month of JanFeb 2002. It is also in Craig Coussins book Master Class!!. It was also on show at the last AABC convention in May 2011. After that it was given a rest and is now being worked again.
As like us our trees need a holiday, from all the constant pruning.
Cheers Pup :D

Re: Houdini

Posted: May 8th, 2012, 6:26 am
by alpineart
Hi Pup , Houdini must have nine lives like a cat . This tree is exceptional , also in its ability to return from the dead . Melaleuca's appear to hold a lot of power under that paper bark .I have a couple of small ones here that have re-shot from below the canopy 12 months after i assumed it was dead . The top 1/3 of the tree , apex / canopy was completely lost, but it was not a good looking tree in any case .I have started with a tapered stick in a pot , so to speak .Thanks for posting an update .

Cheers Alpine