|
Pohutukawa-Bonsai![]() NewZealand "Pohutukawa" Metrosideros The Pohutukawa needs no introduction to anyone in NewZealand, it graces the coasts of the North Island and provides a blaze of colour over christmas.
Pohutukawa as Bonsai
Recommended Styles
![]()
![]() The photos above show a clump of pohutukawa growing on scoria the second photo shows detail of the strong root structure. This bonsai is approximately fifteen years old.
The arial roots that form on most trees can be trained down into the soil or allowed to thicken over rocks or around the trunk, they can be removed if they become too numerous or unsightly The older wood on Pohutukawa becomes very hard and difficult to shape with wire so all wiring should be carried out on young branches which grow quite vigourously so be careful not to leave it on too long. Older limbs can be bent with care but they snap if bent too far too quickly.
Pests and DiseasesPohutukawa are very hardy but they are prone to insect infestation which while they won't kill the tree they will make it unsightly. A small scale like bug called a chirmid makes its home on the under side of the leaf causing small yellow bumps on the surface. They are also susceptible to caterpillers which hole and notch the leaves both of these insects can be controlled with systemic insecticide which should be sprayed regularly through summer.
I recieved an e-mail from Houston Sanders in Kenosha, WI USA this is a portion of it. Houston has also composed a article for the Milwaukee Bonsai Society on the Kermadec pohutukawa which is well worth reading. To have a read and look at the rest of Houstons pohutukawa pictures follow the link below
My reason for contacting you is to ask whether anyone in NZ is growing the Kermadec pohutukawa (metrosideros kermadecensis). This is a tree that I have been playing with for a few years, and seems to be a superior species for bonsai. In fact, I think it is the most promising bonsai species of ANY subtropical/warm temperate species in the world (and I have tried a lot more than most people!), and it is ideal for an indoor/outdoor bonsai in our climate here in the northern USA. Due to the small leaves, it seems to be a better bonsai candidate than the m. excelsa, and in fact can easily be used as a smaller subsitute for m.excelsa in root-over-rock or landscape settings. Since visiting NZ, I have started several projects using m. kermadecensis to depict the ancient pohutukawas along the steep rocks of the NZ shorelines.
|