Entry: Lilly Pilly – Eugenia – Syzygium paniculatum – South Africa
Judge #3: It may be better to move the front to show less dead wood.
Lilly Pilly - Eugenia (Syzygium paniculatum)
South Africa
35cm (13.7")
Before
This is a syzygium that I purchased from a commercial plant nursery this year. I have done some initial branch selection and toyed with the idea of two or three different fronts. It has very attractive mature bark for such a small specimen as well as a section of deadwood along the main trunk. The scar which was probably created due to injury while in the nursery has begun healing and it is starting to look appealing. It is probably going to be styled in the informal upright style.
One Quarter Progression
The tree was cleaned up, and a few branches were wired into place.
Half Way
Tree was allowed to grow to regain some vigour and to thicken up the branches. It was only fed and watered during this phase.
Three Quarter Progression
Branches were cleaned up and excess shoots from one point were removed. The wire was removed from some the tree and it was trimmed to a general outline.
Final
The final stages of this tree for this contest. It was allowed to grow out and trimmed back for a basic shape. I want to grow this as an informal Upright and will be focussing on further branch selection and refinement. . The uro created by the section of deadwood on the trunk will make an attractive feature once this tree is refined. I am happy with the progress of this tree in the short space of time. This tree will be repotted into a training bonsai pot in Spring.