Trees and Temperatures in Australia.

shaun22

Does anyone have experience in growing Bonsai in Sydney? If so, what are the best varieties to grow, and can you grow a Gum Tree as a Bonsai?

In extreme temperatures, is it best to bring Bonsai in?

Thanks,
Shaun.

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TreeBay

What's a typical seasonal average and extreme temperature there? I'm thinking you might look at the Phoenix bonsai club site and get some ideas. It gets rather warm and cold there, too. In that desert climate there are a few tricks to keeping trees happy.

Just type PHOENIX into bonsaiTALK Links

I am sure you could grow Eucalyptus bonsai. As you know there are many varieties with different leaf shape and bark, and some grow very quickly. Look for something that has a foliage that is fairly delicate. Some of the eucalyptus grown for floral use tend to have foliage sprays that would be hard to manage. Watering may be a tricky proposition. I know these trees are drought-tolerant, which would tend to suggest that they might be deep rooted and prefer a well drained soil. Start with some deeper pots until you have a technique and soil construction that works for you.

As far as styling gum, I think a weeping style bonsai would be interesting for these species. Unfortunately bonsai don't weep on their own: the growth must be grown out a bit, then wired down in an arc, then cut to an upward growing branch and wired back down again. Gives a waterfall effect. That technique is covered very well in Naka's books.

Regards,

Matt

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shaun22

Thankyou,

I guess the temperatures here in summer can exceed 110oF, so it does get hot, and very windy. Winter gets to around 45oF.

The gums manage very well in either instance of temperature.

I will visit the Phoenix information and see what comes up.

I will also try a gum bonsai, Ill also post a pic once the wiring up has been done.

Kind regards,
shaun22

bonsaial1

Any plant with a woody stem can be made into bonsai. The one thing that has to be considered though, leaf size. How well will a gum tree respond to trying to get the leaves in scale? I am not familiar with all the gum specis, but most in the US have very large, long leaves, not good for bonsai. They do grow fast though, and that may be good.


Best regards, Bonsaial

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TreeBay

It sounds like some shelter from the wind will be important. * *Having some shade cloth overhead in the summer is probably a must, and you could look at some form of evaporative cooling (mist system) overhead if you want to look at growing some non-native plants.

I ran across this one in a web search. *Seems to be similar to the ones they're selling at the garden center in the heat of summer. *

http://www.whateverworks.com/mist_cooler.htm

here's another:

[img:e751be38b7]http://www.worknplaygear.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/microline6_tn.gif[/img:e751be38b7]

Hope this link isn't too long to work

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Earl

Matt, thanks for the Phoenix tip. I don't live in Australia but in Klamath Falls, OR: Elev 4200 ft, 85-95 most the summer and almost 0% humidity. It is quite similar to Phonenix except we have a shorter growing season. I just skimmed the article and am printing it out right now and I already see why my Japanese Maples and False Cypress have all died--they are both on the most difficult list!

I have a pagoda affair made of lath that I put all my trees under but may also try the mist system. I work all day and the pots can dry out in that time in the middle of summer.

Thanks for the tips.
Earl

shaun22

Thanks guys for the info and the tips,

I have an area down the side of the house which in summer and winter is a very moist area, but in extreme temperatures in summer (now) I endevour to put a piece of shade cloth over the top of the bonsai area from the house to the fence, and install a mist sprinkler system for them.

As far as the gum leaf sizes, they are a large leaf, so Im not too sure how it will adapt to this.

But who knows? I'll give it a go and give you guys a report on the success on the "experiment".

If it does proove succesful, its a very beautiful tree for everyone if they wanted to try them. I may even contact the local Bonsai club on a bit more info.

Kind regards,
shaun22

Ozboy

G'day Shawn,
You can Bonsai Gum trees but you have to do a few special techniques so they won't die. Firstly when you root prune you have to cut off all the leaves at the same time. The best time to root prune is in the summer when the tree goes into dormancy, i.e. stops growing new shoots. The other thing with gums is to do with wiring the branches, branches growing verticaly will possibly die if you try and wire them into a downward position.
Having said all that I must admit i have never attempted a Gum tree but I will give one or two a go soon. I strongly recomend you get the book, "Bonsai with Australian Native Plants by Dorothy and Vita Koreshoff, Boolarong publications, best book on native plants I have ever seen and they come from Sydney so all the species will work for you.
Hope you have some luck with them.

Ozboy down in Victoria!