Dave
01-25-2006, 03:58 AM
Tropical and Semitropical species for Indoor Bonsai
Certain tropical and semitropical species are cultivated indoors as so-called "Indoor bonsai." The trees are often not designed in a matter befitting "true bonsai" according to the purist but are in fact a lot more popular than Classical bonsai. In cold climates, Indoor Bonsai represent a very attractive form of houseplant. Many tropical plants can be converted to a bonsai-like style. Some plants, however, are tougher and more likely to survive under un-experienced hands. These plant have in common
resistance to drought
low light requirement
the ablity to sprout on old wood, thus allowing for hard pruning, and
good resistance to pests. A few examples:
Schefflera arboricola (Umbrella Plant): this tropical shrub with attractive star-shaped leaves produces lots of aerial roots in the wild. Indoor, it can be pruned to take a tree-like silhouette. Trunk diameter will not increase unless there are lots of branches, so the beginner should buy a large, mature plant and prune it hard and low. Remember, fertilize (lots of nitrogen) and water, wait for new growth (a month), prune, wait for new leaves (about a month, much more on very old wood), then repot/trim roots. Use a coarse, well drain soil (cactus soil). For lots of pictures, see Fuku Bonsai
Dracaena (Dragon Tree): palm-like desert plant, surprisingly shade and drought-resitant. Big, interesting-looking roots. Grows slowly.
Crassula (Jade Tree): desert shrub with fleshy leaves, very resistant to drought. Adopts a tree-like silhouette naturally. Important to move outdoors in full sunshine during summer, fertilize only outdoors for a nice growth shape. In the winter, move indoor, keep dry (water once every 4-6 weeks), do not fertilize. Sandy soil (cactus soil). Fertilizing in low light will cause long, soft shoots that will bend down. Could be interesting for cascade-like styling. Cuttings will root very easily, even if very large; first, cut most leaves about 1 week before, let the scars dry, water well 24 hr before, then cut. Many pictures in the web (try Google).
Ficus
Certain tropical and semitropical species are cultivated indoors as so-called "Indoor bonsai." The trees are often not designed in a matter befitting "true bonsai" according to the purist but are in fact a lot more popular than Classical bonsai. In cold climates, Indoor Bonsai represent a very attractive form of houseplant. Many tropical plants can be converted to a bonsai-like style. Some plants, however, are tougher and more likely to survive under un-experienced hands. These plant have in common
resistance to drought
low light requirement
the ablity to sprout on old wood, thus allowing for hard pruning, and
good resistance to pests. A few examples:
Schefflera arboricola (Umbrella Plant): this tropical shrub with attractive star-shaped leaves produces lots of aerial roots in the wild. Indoor, it can be pruned to take a tree-like silhouette. Trunk diameter will not increase unless there are lots of branches, so the beginner should buy a large, mature plant and prune it hard and low. Remember, fertilize (lots of nitrogen) and water, wait for new growth (a month), prune, wait for new leaves (about a month, much more on very old wood), then repot/trim roots. Use a coarse, well drain soil (cactus soil). For lots of pictures, see Fuku Bonsai
Dracaena (Dragon Tree): palm-like desert plant, surprisingly shade and drought-resitant. Big, interesting-looking roots. Grows slowly.
Crassula (Jade Tree): desert shrub with fleshy leaves, very resistant to drought. Adopts a tree-like silhouette naturally. Important to move outdoors in full sunshine during summer, fertilize only outdoors for a nice growth shape. In the winter, move indoor, keep dry (water once every 4-6 weeks), do not fertilize. Sandy soil (cactus soil). Fertilizing in low light will cause long, soft shoots that will bend down. Could be interesting for cascade-like styling. Cuttings will root very easily, even if very large; first, cut most leaves about 1 week before, let the scars dry, water well 24 hr before, then cut. Many pictures in the web (try Google).
Ficus