Mexican Ebony (Havardiana mexicana, formerlyPithecellobium mexicanum) D,R,U,W %* small grayish green leaves; deciduous; the young bark is grayish green; little puffballs of white are the slightly scented flowers in spring; thorns. [Leguminosae; Fabales]
Archive for PLANTS AS BONSAI
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) C ^* X wiring is seldom used with; looks best in group plantings; root sprouts prolifically; remove the oldest stems to prune; the buds tend to come out a few inches below the chop and[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica) F ^* prefers alkaline soil; be careful not to damage the shallow roots; needs a little winter chill; best bark texture can be found on 5 gallon+ size specimens; best time to trim is[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Cape Honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) D,F,U ^* trunk very slow — seemingly slower than most other types we use — to fatten in pot, so best to start with as large a specimen as possible; fast growth spurts; needs to[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) M % a fast grower; takes heavy top pruning and pinching ; don’t give extra Iron or high Nitrogen fertilizer, especially not well into autumn: that could cause winter twig die-back; when leaf[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Chinese Sweet Plum (Sageretia theezens) D,F %* fast grower; likes water; will not tolerate cold drafts or a constantly dry atmosphere — mist with Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) water, especially if in a heated indoor location; wiring not often used[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) A % a fast grower; keep very moist in a good draining soil mix; can even sit in tray of non-tap water if it is changed every other to every few days — no problem[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
California Juniper (Juniperus californica) D,M,U ^ see other junipers; if you get one on a dig, give it plenty of time to re-establish strong growth before you start to prune, a soil heater wire especially during winter can significantly[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Camellia (Camellia sp.) A,C,F,R,S,W ^* some say needs a little winter chill (in 50’s° F at night) for adequate flowering although is very frost-sensitive; prefers partial shade; do not fertilize when in bloom; feed every two to three[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Chinese Banyan / Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus microcarpa) F,I,U ^ see above. [Moraceae; Rosales]