Gday folks!
I had a couple of minutes up my sleeve, so I thought I'd post some pics of a recent work-in-progress:
Eucalyptus scoparia (Wallangara White Gum) grown in a
Mallee-style clump. (For further info, check out
this article by Dr Roger Hnatiuk, leader of the Australian Plants As Bonsai Study Group.)
This planting began its life about 6 months ago, when I came across 5 sickly
E. scoparia seedlings at a local nursery. Having read Dr Hnatiuk's article in the APAB newsletter, I was inspired to have a go at the Mallee form, but was troubled as to how I would permanently affix the seedlings to one another. I finally decided to make up a small cylinder from galvanized wire mesh, and gently attached the seedlings below soil level using plastic cable ties. This process was 80% successful - I lost the most sickly of the group some months back, but have subsequently replaced it with a more vigorous specimen (centre trunk).
For some months, the planting just sat there looking ugly: 5 straight, spindly sticks poking out of the soil at odd angles. Recent experiment with wiring young Euc growth got me thinking it was time to start styling my Mallee.
Pics in order:
[1] The group as it stands now. Approx 65cm high x ~90cm wide. In photographic form, I can see a few tweaks are necessary: trunks 2 and 4 (as read from the left) could do with a more upright orientation for starters.
[2] A plan view of the planting - not quite as flat as it looks in the profile shot. Can you smell the Dynamic Lifter?
[3] A detail of the trunks. I have used common jute twine in the place of raffia, for no other reason than I happened to have a roll at hand. Believe it or not, it does help reduce wire-scarring, as well as lending support to the bark in places of extreme bending.
Comments, insults and general banter always appreciated.
Thanks.
Fly.