AusBonsai

Hi all this is my first attempt at a native its a Callistemon viminalis or a Captain Cook if you prefer

any criticisms welcome flame away

Cheers

Pat.

Tintop

Very nice. Looks like it is in harmony. I would however, put some subtle movements to the right branch.
cheers,
DK

Little more movement here and there and a little bigger pot to grow on.

I'm loving the journey of our natives too so I'm right along with you

thanks guys i will get a bigger pot tomorrow and look at that right side a bit closer

Ok bigger pot and some restyling.

I would love some advice on what others would do with shaping so i have added a front,left,right,back and top shot

feel free to flame away hehe

cheers

Pat

dose no one have any more advice as to if im going in the right direction or what they would do diffrently after 120 views someone must have something to add

even if its to cut it in half and start again lol

cheers

Pat

Tintop wrote:dose no one have any more advice as to if im going in the right direction or what they would do diffrently after 120 views someone must have something to add

even if its to cut it in half and start again lol

cheers

Pat

Only just seen it now but will comment.

Love the lower trunk section, but really needs to be shortened I think.
Cut the long braches in half ,

If you want to start and develp the terminal foliage now, then I would cut back all the long stems so the start to ramify close the trunk and larger branches. But if you wish to let it grow and a develop more trunk and brach size then you shodu leave the to grow as much as you can

Either way it looks healthy

Ken

Thanks Ken advice taken and a bit of food for thought

cheers

Pat

Hi Pat, add a little movement now before the branches become too brittle and a generous cut to bring it back by about a third to half the original height is what I'd do if the tree were mine Pop it in a tray of water to just cover the base of the pot to get the growth vigilent. Kitty litter trays are great I have found.

Hi Pat,

Congratulations for trying a native mate! I'm sure you enjoy your journey with it and hope that it is only the first of many
What you have done so far looks pretty nice. It is an elegant looking design and you have arranged the branches well. Your wiring looks neat and the tree appears very healthy.

For my liking it is too tall for the size of the trunk. If it were mine and I wanted it to be the height it currently is I would be putting it in a grow pot or the ground and fertilizing heavily to fatten the trunk up. If I was happy with the current trunk girth I would be cutting it back much harder (around the red line on the attached picture) and growing new foliage. Remember, everyone has different tastes and a different opinion. The tree is yours and the most important thing is that you are happy with it.
I am surprised to see a flower on it. Do Callistemon usually flower at this time in Townsville?

Please keep us posted on the progression.

Regards,
Steven

Hi Tintop as Steven has pointed out it is a bit tall for the trunk size. The other thing,I find amazing is the amount of time I see the advice to put in into a water tray.

I live in a hot dry climate and do not put them into water. I put mine either on old carpet or on a gravel tray. that is filled with water the tree sits on the gravel not in water. Even my swamp loving trees do not sit in water. It causes a lot of problems with the pot getting stained also.

Here are a couple of mine. For Steven mine are full of flower buds which is very unusual for this time of year some of my other trees are in bud too.
Climate change EH

Thanks Anga and Steven and Pup

As for your question on the flower Steven, at the moment almost every Callistemon around my area has or has had flowers on it. To be honest i never thought of it as different than any other part of the country but i spose we do have a lot more sun year round and the weather is always humid never realy gets below 24'ish and anywhere up to 40's and the hunidity is almost always 60+ depending on the time of the year.

thanks for the advice i have some real whiskey and thinking time to do while i stare at my trees now

Thanks again Pup was praying you may chime in at some stage you trees are amazing i will be studying your pics and following as much advice from you all as i can


Cheers

Pat

Ok took the advice from all had a few drinks played with my staffy then attacked my tree.... cutters, wire and tears
ok Pup lets have it
Cheers
Pat

OUCH Good start Pat I hope you put down plenty of cuttings.

Cheers Pup

Oh no... I didn't really mean cut it there

Just kidding! It might not look as good now but it will look much better by Christmas.

Goodonya Pat!

Regards,
Steven