Casuarina A New Comer in Bonsai in MaltaByDr. Alfred Grech M.D.

Today I would like to invite you to make a journey with me.

Let us all start growing Casuarina and train it for bonsai.

Why Casuarina?

It back buds easily

It grows vigorously

Leaves = multi-jointed branchlets; can be shortened to create nice foliage pads

Humble beginnings from seeds

Honourable Final Destination

What do you think? Is it worthwhile of giving it a try?

What other tree does Casuarina looks like?

Casuarina is a tree with a superficial resemblance to pines.

But it is a completely different tree.

In Malta we have difficulty in cultivating our native Aleppo Pine as a pristine bonsai.

I think that our only alternative option is the Casuarina. Just look at some more pictures of magnificent Casuarina bonsai.

Other valid reasons to start bonsaing Casuarina

The tree grows well in Malta

Master Peter Chan encouraged us to grow it

Indonesian Casuarina bonsai are very prestigious and noticeable at many international conventions (thinking of the next generation of Maltese bonsaists)

Many countries are training Casuarina

Fast results possible

October 18, of 1995 Ernie Kuo

October 30, 1997 = 2 years of trainingErnie Kuo

Casuarina is also known as: Australian pineBeefwoodForest oakShe-oak (The name 'she-oak' was given in allusion to the timber, which is oak-like in appearance but was considered inferior in strength to English Oak). Horsetail tree Ironwood (very hard wood; wrecks saws)

There are 3 main species of the genus Casuarina:

C. equisetifoliaC. cunninghamianaC. glauca

A large evergreen tree resembling conifers, with thin crown of drooping branches and with leaves reduced to scale.

Is a most rapid grower; as high as 80 feet in a ten year period.

Casuarina usually grows in the tropics and sub-tropical regions.

It is native to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

In many countries it is considered as an invasive species.

Casuarina is highly tolerant to many adverse conditions and climates.

The leaves are jointed or segmented and one can break them off anywhere, so you can have a long- or short-needled bonsai as you wish.

Propagation

Seeds

Stem cuttings

Air-layering

Propagation by Seeds

An easy method

Early training of seedlings to desired style is possible

Does not cost a lot of money; just dedication, patience and time

Very rewarding

Trees begin bearing seeds when they are 3-5 years old

Mature trees produce tremendous numbers of small, winged seeds which are dispersed by wind and water

They also are spread by birds

Trees are dioecious (both sexes being usually on the same tree e.g. C. equisetifolia) or monoecious

Male flowers appear in spikes at branchlets tips

Feminine flowers in round heads at the bases of branchlets

Male Flowers

30-80 percent of the seeds can be expected to germinate 4-8 days after planting.

Seeds usually remain viable for only a few months, though they may survive up to two years under ideal conditions.

The staminate born in spikes and the pistillate in dense heads

The inconspicuous flowers are wind pollinated

Fruit are dry light brown cones (1-2cm in diameter and 2-3cm long)

Fruits (cones about 2-3cm long)

The insignificant flowers are followed by small, spiny cones, less than 2-3cm long

The cone bracteoles are nearly always appressed to each other, enclosing the samara, when fresh; once the cone is removed from the plant, the bracteoles separate.

Stem cuttings

Stem cuttings root easily

Take semi-mature wood in autumn

Gaining some 1 or 2 years when compared to seed method.

Air-Layering

Again a good method like stem cuttings

A good potensai in just a few years is possible (maybe 2-3 years)

Yamadori

In Malta not advisable

In Indonesia it is one of the best and fastest method.

Important biological features

Allelopathy

Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Mycorrhiza

Allelopathy (plant chemical welfare)

Tree produces a thick layer of fallen needles on the forest floor because the needles are not eaten by other organisms. This profuse litter smothers native seedling development.

An allelopathic substance released by the needles retards seedling germination and growth of other competing plants.

Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Roots of Casuarina form nitrogen-fixing root nodules (actinorhizae) in symbiosis with the actinomycete Frankia

Mycorrhiza

Mycorrhiza is a mutualistic, non-pathogenic association of a fungus and the roots of a higher plant.

In a mycorrhizal association the fungus may colonize the roots of a host plant either intracellularly or extracellularly.

Having its roots colonized by fungi benefits a plant in a number of ways.Increased nutrient uptakeIncreased disease resistance Enhanced water relations (drought resistance) Increased soil aggregation

Potting Mixture

Should be porous for good drainage.

So likes sand and coarse gravel.

Likes salty, calcareous soil

Repotting

Avoid severe root disturbance

Avoid any major root cuttings

Mix some old soil with the new soil.

Plant needs the root nodules (for nitrate production) and the mycorrhiza (for phosphorus absorption and other minerals).

Some recommend periodic soil changes from around the edge of the pot (not a complete repotting).

After repotting, avoid sunny places; keep in shady place until new shoots appear, then move to a more open area.

Do not over water; keep just moist; spray whole tree.

Best time: End of January / Start of February

PruningTree takes pruning very well and since it is fast growing = quick results

Simply pinch overgrown leaves

Can be done throughout the year

Never defoliate completely

First take care of the style and rhythm of the bonsai, by disciplining the main trunk and main branches.

Then structure the sub-branches and twigs.

Better to use the clip-and-grow method.

Finally, start work on the foliage pads to create the canopy.

Each cluster is formed by leaving a bunch of the needle-like leaves at the tips of the twigs.

Unwanted needles are removed.

Long needles are shortened.

Never use shears to cut the leaves (if not brownish tips)

Styles

Casuarina can be styled in any style that Pine trees can.

And more, since Pines for example cannot be made into rafts while Casuarina can.

Watering

Grows well given saline water or saltwater spray.

It is recommended to periodically put salt on the soil around the plant.

Fertilizers

Although Casuarina is tolerant to infertile soil conditions in its natural habitat, fertilizing is recommended when in a pot.

Growth rate responds well to phosphorus.

Nitrogen is not needed because it produces its own nitrates with the help of bacteria in its root nodules.

Position

Full sun or bright shade and likes slight to moderate wind

Very shady conditions cause slow growth; the leaves grow weak, weepy and unhealthy.

Usage

Windbreak or barrier or to provide beachfront shade or privacy.

Widely cultivated for erosion control and soil nitrification.

The pulp has been used to make paper.

Outstanding fuel wood; recommended for biomass energy plantations.

The wood has been used for powering locomotives and firing brick kilns.

A decoction from the astringent bark has been used as a remedy for diarrhea, beri-beri, sore throat, cough, headache, toothache, sores, and swellings.

Extracts from the bark are also used for tanning hides and staining and preserving fishing lines and fabrics.

The wood ash has been used to make soap.

The "cones" are used in novelties for the tourist trade.

Carved & Embellished Cyclonic Bowl- Sheoak

I hope that I have transmitted my enthusiasm about this tree onto you.

So happy Casuarina bonsai growing.

The End