Hello Everybody

In the last three weeks reading all the post on this forum was a good pass time. Today while clicking the photographs of the Bonsai, I was surprised to see my Sagritia theezans Bonsai growing wonderfully. The weather here in Chandigarh is cooling down with minimum of 10* C and maximum around 26* C. Most of the Bonsai are slipping into dormancy but this one is growing vigorously. I did observe in the past three years at this time of the year, but it was hardly showing any growth. The only factor that I think may have some effect, was the liberal doze of my favorite fertilizer *Sterameal* which is a mixture of bonemeal, hornmeal, bloodmeal, hoofmeal and many other organic ingredients.

Can anyone throw some light on this species from his experience? Please. This is not a popular subject in India.

Regards

Anil Kaushik
Bonsai Club (India)
Chandigarh "The City Beautiful"

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In a message dated 11/19/2004 11:50:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:


Can anyone throw some light on this species from his experience?

I have one that I have had here on the Space Coast for probably 15 years and
it is not much of a Bonsai. I bought it because of the flowers, but mine
hasn't flowered much either. It is sometimes called a Chinese Sweet Plum. It
want a lot of fertilizer and if you don't it turns very yellow. I use Osmocote
every month. I use a peat based soil rather than a fast draining bonsai soil.
It tends to send out long runs of growth. I think it may take almost daily
pruning attention much of the year. I killed one, I think I overwatered it. I
have a bunch of rooted cuttings I think came from a club raffle. Mostly they
are just vigorous sticks.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast

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In a message dated 11/19/2004 11:50:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:


Can anyone throw some light on this species from his experience?

I have one that I have had here on the Space Coast for probably 15 years and
it is not much of a Bonsai. I bought it because of the flowers, but mine
hasn't flowered much either. It is sometimes called a Chinese Sweet Plum. It
want a lot of fertilizer and if you don't it turns very yellow. I use Osmocote
every month. I use a peat based soil rather than a fast draining bonsai soil.
It tends to send out long runs of growth. I think it may take almost daily
pruning attention much of the year. I killed one, I think I overwatered it. I
have a bunch of rooted cuttings I think came from a club raffle. Mostly they
are just vigorous sticks.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast

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

Anil Kaushik wrote:

... I was surprised to see my Sagritia theezans Bonsai growing wonderfully. The weather here in Chandigarh is cooling down with minimum of 10* C and maximum around 26* C. Most of the Bonsai are slipping into dormancy but this one is growing vigorously. I did observe in the past three years at this time of the year, but it was hardly showing any growth. The only factor that I think may have some effect, was the liberal doze of my favorite fertilizer *Sterameal* which is a mixture of bonemeal, hornmeal, bloodmeal, hoofmeal and many other organic ingredients.

Can anyone throw some light on this species from his experience? Please. This is not a popular subject in India.



Anil

The correct name for this species is now Sageretia thea (thanks Iris!).
I agree with the other post about fertilizer; this is a hungry species
and seems to need high fertility and lots of root space to grow
vigorously. In addition, I have discovered that the type of fertilizer
makes a difference. It responds best to ammoniacal forms of nitrogen,
doubtless why your organic formula works so well.

In spite of the fact that this species can put on a lot of shoots and
foliage quickly, it forms a larger trunk at a painfully slow rate. The
wood must be very dense. In your tropical area, it may grow more
quickly, but trying to grow it in a temperate climate has been
frustrating. I have a stock plant that is probably fifteen years old and
the trunk is only about one inch in caliper. I have NEVER seen any of my
plants flower, so I don't know what the secret of blooming is. It does
seem to put on a rapid growth spurt after the heat of summer and the
onset of cooler weather and shorter days.

Brent Walston
Zone 8 N. California
EvergreenGardenworks.com

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Brent

Thanks for the correction.

Additional notes. I think they do better in a peat based soil as opposed to
the typical bonsai soil of Turface, gravel and bark. I have my older plant in
a 12 inch bulb pan with Metro Mix 500 and it has never looked healthier.
Also I think they need frequent, at least annual, repotting, in fresh soil.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast

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