Hey Villia!
You got me so enthused at the thought of seeing
that Angophora* in person, that I made the hour-long trip to Clarinda on Saturday morning, when I should have been playing with my own trees and waiting attentively for the belated birth of our first kid. The trip was well worth the time, effort and petrol - and I didn't miss any important developments on the baby front.
I had hoped to get larger photos of Ted's collection of superb Australian native trees, but the sky was so perfectly clear as to make good photography almost impossible. (I did get some larger photos than yours, Villia, but you win hands down when it comes to actually conveying what Ted's trees look like. Stupid sunshine...
)
Now that I've seen the trees in person, I might try my hand at identifying the ones in your photos... Please speak up if I go astray.
- #34134 Cedrus atlantica group.
- #34135 Azalea group.
- #34136 Melaleuca - possibly M. linarifolia (also spelled: linariifolia).
- #34137 Unknown - possibly a Broom or Box
- #34138 Eucalyptus - possibly E. radiata (Narrow-Leaf Peppermint).
- #34139 Eucalyptus (?) - possibly E. nicholii (Willow-Leaf Peppermint).
- #34140 Eucalyptus nicholii group.
- #34141 Juniperus cascade.
- #34142 Melaleuca bracteata 'Golden Gem' group.
- #34143 Eucalyptus nicholii group.
- #34144 I won't hazard a guess...
- #34145 Angophora costata (Smooth-Bark Apple Gum).
- #34146 Angophora costata (Smooth-Bark Apple Gum).
- #34147 Wattle? Too many Acacia species to choose from...
Having met Ted for the first time, I must say how impressed I was, not only his immense talent with Oz native trees, but also by his general demeanour. If all Bonsai practitioners were as gentle, thoughtful and generous as Ted Poynton, I'd be out of a job here as a Moderator. All it took was for me to mention that I'd been experimenting with Eucs as Bonsai for the past few years, and Ted was off spouting tips as to species selection, stock selection and general characteristics and care. I wish I had taken a notepad - I missed more of Ted's tips than I care to admit.
So, here are some of the tidbits I picked up from Ted before I hopped in the car for the long drive home:
- Best Oz Native for Bonsai According to the Master, Melaleuca bracteata is the most amenable species for Bonsai training, and will readily adopt any form, even the Full Cascade style.
- Eucalyptus Stock Selection Nursery grown stock is best, but it should be grown with Bonsai in mind - large, established nursery stock can be as hard to deal with as collected Eucs. Successful wild collection is too difficult, and "it's just such a shame to do it."
- Notes on Shade Cloth When I inquired as to the lack of sun protection on Ted's benches, he responded that growing trees beneath shade cloth makes them unable to cope with prolonged hot spells. He only places shade cloth over his trees on the very hottest days (40C+).
I am certain I have forgotten a number of points Ted made in the hour or so that I spent within his collection - all the more reason to go back again soon!
Thanks again Villia!
FlyBri.
*
that Angophora (costata) was one of the first Eucs I ever saw in photographs.
Here it can be seen as it appeared in Jennifer Wilkinson's
'Bonsai Art And Technique', which Ted apparently had quite a hand in compiling. At the risk of embarrassing myself, I have attached one view of the Angophora as it looked to my camera. The tree is surprisingly tall - probably 1.5 metres at the apex. I love it!