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…
Archive for PLANTS AS BONSAI
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]
Vitex / Chaste Tree / Monk’s Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus) U %* buds back on old wood; needs lots of light and fresh air; leaf fall may occur if not enough light; water less during dormant period with leaf shed. […]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Chinese Tallow Tree (Sapium sebiferum) A,D % X get during autumn so you can check leaf color; no high Nitrogen fertilizer in autumn; tree exudes an allelopathic chemical which prevents growth of other types of plants, so[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) A,B,C,U,W %* don’t keep soil too moist; can be heavily pruned just before leaf buds open. [Lythraceae; Myrtales] Crape myrtle – Lagerstroemia sp. General information: Crape myrtle makes an excellent bonsai[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Creosote / Greasewood (Larrea tridentata) M,R,U ^* pinch buds, don’t cut them; this plant is difficult to establish, but then hardy; roots grow slowly; it actually likes and does well with more water than you’d expect; trimming in the[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Elephant’s Food / Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria afra) F,U,W ^ hardy, easy to grow; not a true jade plant, not even related to it; but this is very much hardier and has more compact growth; cuttings over three inches long[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Dwarf Myrtle (Myrtus communis ‘Compacta’) F,M,U ^* can prune back hard in February, but don’t do every year; heavy pruning may cause some “brown back”; in spring when tree is actively growing, clip all the leaves off short, then[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Fairy Duster / Dwarf Powder Puff (Calliandra eriophylla) F,U,W %* said to bloom about three weeks after giving a high Phosphorus (middle number) fertilizer. [Leguminosae; Fabales] Dwarf Powderpuff – Calliandra haematocephala General Information: An evergreen[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…