Randall:

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud', in my opinion, does not have the necessary characteristics to create an outstanding bonsai. In particular, this is a short-lived tree with a 10-15 year lifespan.

If you are interested in Prunus, I suggest Prunus mume or the Japanese Apricot.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob

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Randall:

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud', in my opinion, does not have the necessary characteristics to create an outstanding bonsai. In particular, this is a short-lived tree with a 10-15 year lifespan.

If you are interested in Prunus, I suggest Prunus mume or the Japanese Apricot.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Michael,

I've been watching this post, because I've got a air layer going right now and don't really want to waste my time if the tree won't ever amount to anything. That said, given that the life expectancy for a landscape tree (or even one in nature) of this type is only 10 - 15 years, wouldn't one expect that it would be extended considerably in Bonsai culture due to continuous pruning & care? Other than life expecancy, is it suitable? These trees have gorgeous bark, great summer leaves, fruit, flowers and fall color. What I don't know is whether the branching will ramify well or the leaves reduce reasonably.

Thanks,

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

-----------------------------------------------------
Randall:

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud', in my opinion, does not have the necessary characteristics to create an outstanding bonsai. In particular, this is a short-lived tree with a 10-15 year lifespan.

If you are interested in Prunus, I suggest Prunus mume or the Japanese Apricot.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Michael,

I've been watching this post, because I've got a air layer going right now and don't really want to waste my time if the tree won't ever amount to anything. That said, given that the life expectancy for a landscape tree (or even one in nature) of this type is only 10 - 15 years, wouldn't one expect that it would be extended considerably in Bonsai culture due to continuous pruning & care? Other than life expecancy, is it suitable? These trees have gorgeous bark, great summer leaves, fruit, flowers and fall color. What I don't know is whether the branching will ramify well or the leaves reduce reasonably.

Thanks,

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

-----------------------------------------------------
Randall:

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud', in my opinion, does not have the necessary characteristics to create an outstanding bonsai. In particular, this is a short-lived tree with a 10-15 year lifespan.

If you are interested in Prunus, I suggest Prunus mume or the Japanese Apricot.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi Randall, you wrote:

What do ya'll know about the "thundercloud" purple leaf plum? Anyone have
any experience with this cultivar in particular, or the purple leaf plums in
general?

If you want a purple-leaf plum specifically, you might look into
Prunus x cistena, aka purple leaf sand cherry (tho also sometimes
called purple leaf plum). It's a small tree or large shrub, quite
suitable for bonsai training. Tends to grow rather as a broom
naturally, not an inspiring shape, but lots of growth to choose from.
Unlike P. cerasifera, it's long lived and sturdy - I've seen them
growing as parking-lot trees in Denver Colorado, dry summers and cold
winters (USDA zone 5).

I have 2 smallish ones, still in nursery pots. They do tend to die
back if I prune a non-vigorous branch, but the strong branches can be
pruned back to no leaves and send out several stong shoots to work
with. Craig has a large b&b specimen from this year with nice potential.

They're easily available in nurseries, tho I know it's not as cheap as
air-layering your yard-tree

Anita
-----
Northern Harford County, Maryland, USDA zone 6
"I am not bound for any public place, but for ground of my own where I
have planted vines and orchard trees, and in the heat of the day
climbed up into the healing shadow of the woods. Better than any
argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup."
~Wendell Berry

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi Randall, you wrote:

What do ya'll know about the "thundercloud" purple leaf plum? Anyone have
any experience with this cultivar in particular, or the purple leaf plums in
general?

If you want a purple-leaf plum specifically, you might look into
Prunus x cistena, aka purple leaf sand cherry (tho also sometimes
called purple leaf plum). It's a small tree or large shrub, quite
suitable for bonsai training. Tends to grow rather as a broom
naturally, not an inspiring shape, but lots of growth to choose from.
Unlike P. cerasifera, it's long lived and sturdy - I've seen them
growing as parking-lot trees in Denver Colorado, dry summers and cold
winters (USDA zone 5).

I have 2 smallish ones, still in nursery pots. They do tend to die
back if I prune a non-vigorous branch, but the strong branches can be
pruned back to no leaves and send out several stong shoots to work
with. Craig has a large b&b specimen from this year with nice potential.

They're easily available in nurseries, tho I know it's not as cheap as
air-layering your yard-tree

Anita
-----
Northern Harford County, Maryland, USDA zone 6
"I am not bound for any public place, but for ground of my own where I
have planted vines and orchard trees, and in the heat of the day
climbed up into the healing shadow of the woods. Better than any
argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup."
~Wendell Berry

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi Randall, you wrote:

What do ya'll know about the "thundercloud" purple leaf plum? Anyone have
any experience with this cultivar in particular, or the purple leaf plums in
general?

If you want a purple-leaf plum specifically, you might look into
Prunus x cistena, aka purple leaf sand cherry (tho also sometimes
called purple leaf plum). It's a small tree or large shrub, quite
suitable for bonsai training. Tends to grow rather as a broom
naturally, not an inspiring shape, but lots of growth to choose from.
Unlike P. cerasifera, it's long lived and sturdy - I've seen them
growing as parking-lot trees in Denver Colorado, dry summers and cold
winters (USDA zone 5).

I have 2 smallish ones, still in nursery pots. They do tend to die
back if I prune a non-vigorous branch, but the strong branches can be
pruned back to no leaves and send out several stong shoots to work
with. Craig has a large b&b specimen from this year with nice potential.

They're easily available in nurseries, tho I know it's not as cheap as
air-layering your yard-tree

Anita
-----
Northern Harford County, Maryland, USDA zone 6
"I am not bound for any public place, but for ground of my own where I
have planted vines and orchard trees, and in the heat of the day
climbed up into the healing shadow of the woods. Better than any
argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup."
~Wendell Berry

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++