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Casuarina
A New Comer in Bonsai in Malta
By
Dr. 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
like?
other tree does Casuarina looks
 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
training
Ernie Kuo
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
Ironwood
tree
(very hard wood; wrecks saws)

There are 3 main species of the
genus Casuarina:
1.
2.
3.
C. equisetifolia
C. cunninghamiana
C. 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
are dioecious (both sexes being
usually on the same tree e.g. C.
equisetifolia) or monoecious
 Trees
 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
 In
Malta not advisable
Indonesia it is one of the best and
fastest method.
Important biological features
 Allelopathy
 Non-leguminous
fixation
 Mycorrhiza
symbiotic nitrogen
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 uptake
 Increased disease resistance
 Enhanced water relations (drought resistance)
 Increased soil aggregation
Potting Mixture
 Should
 So
be porous for good drainage.
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
Pruning
 Tree takes pruning very well and
since it is fast growing = quick results
 Simply
 Can
pinch overgrown ‘leaves’
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
 Long
needles are removed.
needles are shortened.
use shears to cut the leaves (if not 
brownish tips)
 Never
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 salt—
water 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
 The
wood ash has been used to make soap.
"cones" are used in novelties for the tourist
trade.
Carved &
Embellished
Cyclonic
BowlSheoak
I
hope that I have transmitted my
enthusiasm about this tree onto
you.
 So
happy Casuarina bonsai
growing.
The End