1. Casuarina A New Comer in Bonsai in MaltaBy
Dr. Alfred Grech M.D.

2. Today I would like to invite you to make a journey with me.
Let us all start growing Casuarina and train it for bonsai.

3. Why Casuarina?
It back buds easily
It grows vigorously
‘Leaves’ = multi-jointed branchlets; can be shortened to create nice foliage pads

4. Humble beginnings from seeds

5. Honourable Final Destination

12. What do you think? Is it worthwhile of giving it a try?
What other tree does Casuarina looks like?

13. 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.

24. 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

25. October 18, of 1995
Ernie Kuo

26. October 30, 1997
= 2 years of training
Ernie Kuo

27. Casuarina is also known as:
Australian pine
Beefwood
Forest oak
She-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)

29. There are 3 main species of the genus Casuarina:
C. equisetifolia
C. cunninghamiana
C. glauca

30. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

35. Propagation
Seeds
Stem cuttings
Air-layering

36. 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

45. 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

46. Male flowers appear in spikes at branchlets tips
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

47. Male Flowers

51. 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.

52. 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)

53. Fruits (cones about 2-3cm long)

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

56. 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.

63. Stem cuttings
Stem cuttings root easily
Take semi-mature wood in autumn
Gaining some 1 or 2 years when compared to seed method.

64. Air-Layering
Again a good method like stem cuttings
A good potensai in just a few years is possible (maybe 2-3 years)

65. Yamadori
In Malta not advisable
In Indonesia it is one of the best and fastest method.

68. Important biological features
Allelopathy
Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Mycorrhiza

69. 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.

70. Non-leguminous symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Roots of Casuarina form nitrogen-fixing root nodules (actinorhizae) in symbiosis with the actinomycete Frankia

71. 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 uptake
Increased disease resistance
Enhanced water relations (drought resistance)
Increased soil aggregation

73. Potting Mixture
Should be porous for good drainage.
So likes sand and coarse gravel.
Likes salty, calcareous soil

74. 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).

75. 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

76. Pruning
Tree 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

77. 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.

78. 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)

87. 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.

89. Watering
Grows well given saline water or salt—water spray.
It is recommended to periodically put salt on the soil around the plant.

90. 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.

91. 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.

92. 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.

93. 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.

95. Carved & Embellished Cyclonic Bowl- Sheoak

97. I hope that I have transmitted my enthusiasm about this tree onto you.
So happy Casuarina bonsai growing.

107. The End