Melaleuca #2

[Craigm]

Hi all,

this is a melaleuca which I collected a few years ago from a re-development site.
This species is a fast growing evergreen tree ,loving water and lots of sun.
I began developing the tree in one direction but thought I would
get a little brave and go somewhere different half way in,

Paperbark tree,












Thanks for having a look, any comments welcome
best regards craig.

 

[sorce]

The movement is way better as it is now!

Good stuff!

Sorce

 

[Craigm]

Thankx Source man!

I have been working with the live veins on melaleuca trees , trying to develop and highlight them in my trees.
Much more work to go .

 

[Craigm]

With the weather warming now coming closer to Spring here in Aus,
time was taken to do some wiring and progress this tree further into it's new form.

 

[sorce]

I know you may be chasing it back.

And I do like the foliage on the right....

But it's losing a bit of the tension that makes this work....for me.
And some of that movement I love.

This outline is a good balance IMO..


I'll enjoy watching this one either way!

Sorce

 

[Craigm]

I know you may be chasing it back.

And I do like the foliage on the right....

But it's losing a bit of the tension that makes this work....for me.
And some of that movement I love.

This outline is a good balance IMO..


I'll enjoy watching this one either way!

Sorce

ahh tension
At this point in time I can not bring myself to remove the area of foliage which is high on the trunk.
It has some live veins which supply roots to the right of the tree. If these live veins were to die off the
tree would have no anchorage into the ground on the right side.
It is one of those issues which presents a challenge,
I agree with what you see as an outline,thanks @sorce for your comment mate.

 

[sorce]

Nice.

I didn't realize this had more than one branch!

Sorce

 

[Craigm]

Nice.

I didn't realize this had more than one branch!

Sorce

hah, I sorta hid it in the design. There are 2 branches on this tree at present.
There were more at the back but I reduced down to 1 last remaining branch.

 

[Craigm]

Hi all, I was never really 100% happy with the stance of this Tree so I adjusted it at repot time.
Thanks for having a look, take care.

 

[sorce]

Nice..

I'm just gonna bet this looks even nicer next time we see it.

Subtle move by subtle move...

Great Stuff!

Sorce

 

[Craigm]

Thankx @sorce mate.

 

[MichaelS]

I sowed some raphiophylla this spring. The fastest thing I've ever seen!...and the thirstiest.

 

[Craigm]

I sowed some raphiophylla this spring. The fastest thing I've ever seen!...and the thirstiest.

Oh Nice! Some good looking twisted trees from seedlings,yep i hear that

 

[Haoleboy]

I've always thought one would be interesting for bonsai. They're invasive here in Florida. But I'd still like to acquire one/some to work on.

 

[MichaelS]

I've always thought one would be interesting for bonsai. They're invasive here in Florida. But I'd still like to acquire one/some to work on.

I have heard about the problem in Florida. I thought they were M ericifolia or something. They spread clonally from roots and can take over large areas with impenetrable thickets.
Generally though, Melaleuca is one of the best bonsai materials. Small leaves, fast growing, look old quickly, any shape ok, what else could you want?

 

[Craigm]

I believe it's Melaleuca quinquenervia a Broadleaf Tree which is most responsible for overtaking the wetlands in Florida. Also from what I understand the Seeds are over twice as viable in Florida than Australia.

 

[Craigm]

https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/melaleuca-quinquenervia/

https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC6Z8N2_melaleuca?guid=abf17bcb-ca67-4d95-9dd4-d6e6e30cf0d9

quote""
An experiment comparing the quantity of seeds held in the canopies of Melaleuca trees in Australia and Southern Florida found that the viability and amount of seeds found in Australia were lower when compared to those in Florida. Australian Melaleuca trees held 5,000 seeds with less than 20 viable, and Florida Melaleucas contained 13,000 seeds, with greater than 1,200 viable. So without a predator reducing the amount of reproductive structures in Melaleuca it can reproduce unchecked.
""

 

[milehigh_7]

@Craigm and @MichaelS please tell me about repotting Mels

 

[Craigm]

W

@Craigm and @MichaelS please tell me about repotting Mels

Which species ?

 

[milehigh_7]

W

Which species ?

@Craigm sorry for the delay replying. I have two species of Mels I have one bigger Melaleuca linariifolia and a bunch of starter size melaleuca nesophila. Any tips would be VERY appreciated.