Some Southern Hemisphere plant progression from day 1

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

I have been inspired by a few members growing Australian natives (along with seeing collection online) so I decided to purchase some today at the Univ CA Santa Cruz Arboretum. The have a huge in ground plant collection and a nice selection for sale.
The plants are growing nicely in a mix of bark and red lava rock, so I think I will let them be for a while. But I will look at the roots once it stops raining to see if they need a larger pot.

Any growing or training tips are welcome.

Leptospermum macrocarpa 'Copper Sheen'
Stems are contorted and seem quite interesting.



Leptospermum scoparium 'Star Carpet'
Love the small leaves, think it might become a semi-cascade



Melaleuca irbyana
Upright with weeping branches
The inspiration for this plant



Callistemon subulatus 'Packers Seletion'

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

Well, after 6-7 months the only one to make it this far is the Callistemon.
The leptos were horribly pot bound, one dried out and the other did not survive transplanting,
the Melaleuca irbyana, yikes the trunk was at the bottom of the pot, seems they transplanted it from a cutting that could not stand up on its own so they used the potting soil as support.

Always willing to try something different I came across this at my favorite wholesale nursery:
Leptospermum continentale with a questionable Bot var of horizontalis.

Super fast growing, very pot bound, I am hoping it might survive a transplant..
I love the base but also the small very sharp leaves.

advise always appreciated

 

[nuttiest]

That is a nice one haven't seen it before - too bad on the others, I killed 2 callistemon with spring root reduction but have a third I am thinking fall for root work in hot climate now.

 

[Shibui]

the Melaleuca irbyana, yikes the trunk was at the bottom of the pot, seems they transplanted it from a cutting that could not stand up on its own so they used the potting soil as support.

This is common with commercially produced plants. Maybe even intentional as it turns a long, thin trunk into a nice bushy plant. Sometimes the trunk will roots all along the buried part but some species don't do that.

Lepto scoparium has a rep for not liking transplant so don't feel bad that one did not survive.
Lepto macrocarpum should be Ok for bonsai. It has been used to produce a range of hybrids with pink flowers. I've grown a few of those hybrids with good results on pruning and repotting. Lepto 'mesmereyes' is one I've seen regularly at native bonsai shows.

Callistemon subulatus is very resilient so also not surprised it has been the lone survivor. Flowers Spring on the tips of last season growth so follow Azalea pruning regime and stop pruning late Summer if you want to see flowers in Spring. Cut back hard after flowering to maintain shape. Avoid repotting in cold season. We generally repot and root prune late Spring/ Early Summer though warmer climes can repot all year round.

Lepto continentale is a species. Lepto horizontalis is also a species but I have found a ref to L. continentale V horizontalis from botanic gardens South Australia so assume they know. Not surprising as the species does have an extensive range over lots of different habitats.
L. continentale generally tolerates root pruning hard pruning above ground. I've seen these grow back from stumps and from roots after severe chops.

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

Thanks for your response, I always appreciate your detailed messages.

Root pruning of L. continentale during what season? Early mid or late winter?

 

[Shibui]

Root pruning of L. continentale during what season? Early mid or late winter?

That will probably depend on your local climate.
For all Australian natives I root prune late Spring though Summer (interestingly no concern with high temps or humidity while others stick to Spring when temps are not excessive) but I have a 'cooler' climate.
Melbourne growers assure me that any time of year is OK, but they are frost free climate.
Not sure of specific local Santa Cruz weather but I'd say any time of year when temps are above freezing. If in doubt, wait another week or 2.

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

We're in Zone 9B with little chance of freezing until late January or February so I'll make a plan and see how it goes.
thanks

 

[Shibui]

We're in Zone 9B with little chance of freezing until late January or February so I'll make a plan and see how it goes.
thanks

3 months should probably be OK. As mentioned, I usually repot Australian natives late Spring and Early Summer, sometimes as late as Mid-Summer. The closer it gets to cold weather the more chance of problems.