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#1
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[IBC] succulents as bonsai
Here in South Africa, Crassula grow pretty big- even where I live, which is
a whole different climate from where they originate (most crassula are from mediterranean/semi desert areas and I live in a high altitude summer rainfall climate) we had two crassula growing outside our house that were about 7 feet high. one thing that is worth mentioning about these plants in relation to bonsai, is that most of the bonsai I see in photos from europe and the US look like they don't get much water- the leaves are normally thin, slightly wrinkled and often have a purplish tinge. The plants that grow here are normally watered as for any other plant, and have plump, *succulent* leaves. Bearing in mind that we have clayey soil that drains poorly, I have only rarely seen crassula suffer from any sort of rot or other damp-related problems, so maybe they can take a bit more water than they are normally given? Remember, just because they can survive in the desert, doesn't mean they will thrive like that- and in any case, most of them are from slightly wetter climates. Peter le Roux Johannesburg, south africa ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
#2
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[IBC] succulents as bonsai
Peter Le Roux wrote:
Here in South Africa, Crassula grow pretty big- even where I live, which is a whole different climate from where they originate (most crassula are from mediterranean/semi desert areas and I live in a high altitude summer rainfall climate) we had two crassula growing outside our house that were about 7 feet high. I've heard they can get that big. I can only dream. one thing that is worth mentioning about these plants in relation to bonsai, is that most of the bonsai I see in photos from europe and the US look like they don't get much water- the leaves are normally thin, slightly wrinkled and often have a purplish tinge. The plants that grow here are normally watered as for any other plant, and have plump, *succulent* leaves. Bearing in mind that we have clayey soil that drains poorly, I have only rarely seen crassula suffer from any sort of rot or other damp-related problems, so maybe they can take a bit more water than they are normally given? When you buy jade plants in the US they are quite often potted in regular potting soil which is much too heavy. Most people who buy these plants aren't going to consider repotting in a coarse soil, and will probably water them like regular house plants. I have my two jade plants in the mixture of bonsai soil I use for my conifers--3/4 turface and 1/4 bark. The soil drains quickly. One of them I haven't watered since I took it out of its nursery container 3 weeks ago and did a root pruning and repotted it in bonsai soil. It's growing fine and the leaves are good and plump. Considering we had some rain last night and should have some more rain this weekend I won't be watering it for awhile. snip Peter le Roux Johannesburg, south africa So, the question is then, how often do people in South Africa use these for bonsai? Craig Cowing NY Zone 5b/6a ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
#3
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[IBC] succulents as bonsai
Morning all,
I bought a Jade plant the other day that has 5-8 seperate trunk plants in the one pot.. I picked it because I wanted as much as I could get for my money, in reading about the soil for them, when I re pot them, I think as a forest sean, should I put more sand int the regular potting soil then it already has? Thanks for answers.. Barb Subject: [IBC] succulents as bonsai Peter Le Roux wrote: (( When you buy jade plants in the US they are quite often potted in regular potting soil which is much too heavy. Most people who buy these plants aren't going to consider repotting in a coarse soil, and will probably water them like regular house plants. I have my two jade plants in the mixture of bonsai soil I use for my conifers--3/4 turface and 1/4 bark. The soil drains quickly. One of them I haven't watered since I took it out of its nursery container 3 weeks ago)) ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
#4
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[IBC] succulents as bonsai
Barb wrote:
Morning all, I bought a Jade plant the other day that has 5-8 seperate trunk plants in the one pot.. I picked it because I wanted as much as I could get for my money, in reading about the soil for them, when I re pot them, I think as a forest sean, should I put more sand int the regular potting soil then it already has? Thanks for answers.. Barb snip Barb: I would put it in a mixture that is mostly coarse and drains fairly quickly. If it is in regular potting soil, I'd recommend letting it dry out completely, taking it out of the pot, shaking off as much potting soil as possible, and repotting in a mixture that is at least half sand. I've seen them in some garden centers growingin 100% sand with no trouble. Craig Cowing NY Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
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