Casuarina Casuarina A New Comer in Bonsai in MaltaA New Comer in Bonsai in Malta

ByBy

Dr. Alfred Grech M.D. Dr. Alfred Grech M.D.

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

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

Why Why CasuarinaCasuarina??

It back buds easilyIt back buds easily

It grows vigorouslyIt grows vigorously

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

Humble beginnings from seeds Humble beginnings from seeds

Honourable Final Destination

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

What other tree does What other tree does CasuarinaCasuarina looks looks like?like?

CasuarinaCasuarina is a tree with a superficial is a tree with a superficial resemblance to pines.resemblance to pines.

But it is a completely different tree.But it is a completely different tree.

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

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

Other valid reasons to start bonsaing Other valid reasons to start bonsaing CasuarinaCasuarina

The tree grows well in MaltaThe tree grows well in Malta

Master Peter Chan encouraged us to grow itMaster Peter Chan encouraged us to grow it

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

Many countries are training Many countries are training CasuarinaCasuarina

Fast results possibleFast results possible

October 18, of 1995

Ernie Kuo

October 30, 1997

= 2 years of training

Ernie Kuo

CasuarinaCasuarina is also known as: is also known as: Australian pineAustralian pineBeefwoodBeefwoodForest oakForest oakShe-oak She-oak (The name 'she-oak' was given in allusion to the timber, which is oak-like in (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).appearance but was considered inferior in strength to English Oak).

Horsetail tree Horsetail tree Ironwood Ironwood (very hard wood; wrecks saws) (very hard wood; wrecks saws)

There are 3 main species of the There are 3 main species of the genus genus Casuarina:Casuarina:

1.1. C. equisetifoliaC. equisetifolia2.2. C. cunninghamianaC. cunninghamiana3.3. C. glaucaC. glauca

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

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

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

It is native to Australia and the It is native to Australia and the Pacific Islands.Pacific Islands.

In many countries it is considered In many countries it is considered as an invasive species. as an invasive species.

CasuarinaCasuarina is highly tolerant to many adverse is highly tolerant to many adverse conditions and climates.conditions and climates.

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

PropagationPropagation

SeedsSeeds

Stem cuttingsStem cuttings

Air-layeringAir-layering

Propagation by SeedsPropagation by Seeds

An easy methodAn easy method

Early training of seedlings to desired style is possibleEarly training of seedlings to desired style is possible

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

Very rewardingVery rewarding

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

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

They also are spread by birdsThey also are spread by birds

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

Male flowers appear in spikes at Male flowers appear in spikes at branchlets tipsbranchlets tips

Feminine flowers in round heads at the Feminine flowers in round heads at the bases of branchlets bases of branchlets

Male Flowers

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

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

The staminate born in spikes and the The staminate born in spikes and the pistillate in dense headspistillate in dense heads

The inconspicuous flowers are wind The inconspicuous flowers are wind pollinatedpollinated

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

Stem cuttings root easilyStem cuttings root easily

Take semi-mature wood in autumn Take semi-mature wood in autumn

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

Air-LayeringAir-Layering

Again a good method like stem cuttingsAgain a good method like stem cuttings

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

YamadoriYamadori

In Malta not advisableIn Malta not advisable

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

Important biological featuresImportant biological features

AllelopathyAllelopathy

Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen fixationfixation

Mycorrhiza Mycorrhiza

Allelopathy (plant chemical welfare)Allelopathy (plant chemical welfare)

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

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

Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen fixationfixation

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

MycorrhizaMycorrhiza

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

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

Having its roots colonized by fungi benefits a plant in a Having its roots colonized by fungi benefits a plant in a number of ways.number of ways.

Increased nutrient uptakeIncreased nutrient uptake Increased disease resistance Increased disease resistance Enhanced water relations (drought resistance) Enhanced water relations (drought resistance) Increased soil aggregation Increased soil aggregation

Potting MixturePotting Mixture

Should be porous for good drainage.Should be porous for good drainage.

So likes sand and coarse gravel.So likes sand and coarse gravel.

Likes salty, calcareous soilLikes salty, calcareous soil

RepottingRepotting

Avoid severe root disturbanceAvoid severe root disturbance

Avoid any major root cuttingsAvoid any major root cuttings

Mix some old soil with the new soil.Mix some old soil with the new soil.

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

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

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

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

Best time: End of January / Start of FebruaryBest time: End of January / Start of February

PruningPruning Tree takes pruning very well and since it is fast Tree takes pruning very well and since it is fast

growing = quick resultsgrowing = quick results

Simply pinch overgrown ‘leaves’Simply pinch overgrown ‘leaves’

Can be done throughout the yearCan be done throughout the year

Never defoliate completelyNever defoliate completely

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

Then structure the sub-branches and twigs.Then structure the sub-branches and twigs.

Better to use the ‘clip-and-grow’ method.Better to use the ‘clip-and-grow’ method.

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

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

Unwanted needles are removed.Unwanted needles are removed.

Long needles are shortened.Long needles are shortened.

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

StylesStyles

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

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

WateringWatering

Grows well given saline water or salt—Grows well given saline water or salt—water spray.water spray.

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

FertilizersFertilizers

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

Growth rate responds well to phosphorus.Growth rate responds well to phosphorus.

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

PositionPosition

Full sun or bright shade and likes slight to Full sun or bright shade and likes slight to moderate windmoderate wind

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

UsageUsage

Windbreak or barrier or to provide beachfront shade or Windbreak or barrier or to provide beachfront shade or privacy. privacy.

Widely cultivated for erosion control and soil Widely cultivated for erosion control and soil nitrification. nitrification.

The pulp has been used to make paper. The pulp has been used to make paper.

Outstanding fuel wood; recommended for biomass Outstanding fuel wood; recommended for biomass energy plantations. energy plantations.

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

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

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

The wood ash has been used to make soap. The wood ash has been used to make soap.

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

Carved & Embellished Cyclonic Bowl- Sheoak

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

So happy So happy CasuarinaCasuarina bonsai bonsai growing. growing.

The EndThe End