Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Bonsai (ish)
We have been given a Bonsai which is 'grown in the far East and is intended
to represent an ancient tree'. [So not an ancient tree, then. It looks more like a small shrub which has been vigourously pruned at both ends.] So far it seems to major in dropping leaves. It is also in a shallow tray which provides maximum surface area and minimum depth and so dries out quickly. Instructions say 'water every two days' (so dead by the end of the holidays). Label says 'Carmona'. Google says: http://www.bonsaigardener.org/fukien-tea-bonsai.html which includes the text: "Keep in mind that the Fukien Tea is not tolerate with temperate regions. Therefore, it would need to be grown indoors as a bonsai all year round. Unfortunately, the Fukien Tea is both difficult to find and to grow. However, for bonsai enthusiasts who enjoy a challenge, this would make an interesting and beautiful choice." So basically a Fukien pain to grow. I am now wondering if it would be happier (though perhaps not as pretty) in a larger, deeper pot where it wasn't stunted by fighting to survive. Is torture of small trees legal in this country? Cheers Dave R |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Bonsai (ish)
On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:57:44 -0000, "David WE Roberts"
wrote: We have been given a Bonsai which is 'grown in the far East and is intended to represent an ancient tree'. [So not an ancient tree, then. It looks more like a small shrub which has been vigourously pruned at both ends.] So far it seems to major in dropping leaves. It is also in a shallow tray which provides maximum surface area and minimum depth and so dries out quickly. Instructions say 'water every two days' (so dead by the end of the holidays). Label says 'Carmona'. Google says: http://www.bonsaigardener.org/fukien-tea-bonsai.html which includes the text: "Keep in mind that the Fukien Tea is not tolerate with temperate regions. Therefore, it would need to be grown indoors as a bonsai all year round. Unfortunately, the Fukien Tea is both difficult to find and to grow. However, for bonsai enthusiasts who enjoy a challenge, this would make an interesting and beautiful choice." So basically a Fukien pain to grow. I am now wondering if it would be happier (though perhaps not as pretty) in a larger, deeper pot where it wasn't stunted by fighting to survive. Is torture of small trees legal in this country? Cheers Dave R Dave, my advice would depend on who gave it to you. Is it someone you can ask to let you change it for something easier to grow? Indoor bonsai are generally harder to keep alive than indoor ones. I have had to be drastic in selling or getting rid of outdoor bonsai which I have grown over the years, but I have no indoor ones. The few I had have died. i've never grown this particular one. Good luck Pam in Bristol |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Bonsai (ish)
On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:09:19 +0000, Pam Moore
wrote: Dave, my advice would depend on who gave it to you. Is it someone you can ask to let you change it for something easier to grow? Indoor bonsai are generally harder to keep alive than indoor ones. Nice typo but we won't hang you. We know what you mean ;-)) I have had to be drastic in selling or getting rid of outdoor bonsai which I have grown over the years, but I have no indoor ones. The few I had have died. i've never grown this particular one. Good luck Pam in Bristol -- (¯`·. ®óñ© © ²°¹° .·´¯) |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Bonsai (ish)
David WE Roberts wrote:
I am now wondering if it would be happier (though perhaps not as pretty) in a larger, deeper pot where it wasn't stunted by fighting to survive. Yes. But... You would lose the bonsai qualities of restricted growth and semi-miniature leaves (and possibly, flowers) To get over the watering problems, you can get drip-metered watering devices - just fill a reservoir and adjust the control until it reaches equilibrium. This has the advantage that you can add traces of nutrient to the water from time to time. You could try propagating cuttings when you trim it. -- Rusty |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Bonsai (ish)
On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:11:59 +0000, Rusty Hinge
wrote: David WE Roberts wrote: I am now wondering if it would be happier (though perhaps not as pretty) in a larger, deeper pot where it wasn't stunted by fighting to survive. Yes. But... You would lose the bonsai qualities of restricted growth and semi-miniature leaves (and possibly, flowers) To get over the watering problems, you can get drip-metered watering devices - just fill a reservoir and adjust the control until it reaches equilibrium. This has the advantage that you can add traces of nutrient to the water from time to time. You could try propagating cuttings when you trim it. Many bonsai, when young, are grown in open ground or large pots or tubs to encourage them to put on growth. You could try with this one, and keep it in a greenhouse for a couple of years, then if it grows well, cut back top and roots in Spring and repot it in a smaller (not very small) pot and retrain it as a small tree. (Sorry about previous typo; more like senior moment!) Pam in Bristol |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Bonsai (ish)
"Pam Moore" wrote in message news On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:11:59 +0000, Rusty Hinge wrote: David WE Roberts wrote: I am now wondering if it would be happier (though perhaps not as pretty) in a larger, deeper pot where it wasn't stunted by fighting to survive. Yes. But... You would lose the bonsai qualities of restricted growth and semi-miniature leaves (and possibly, flowers) To get over the watering problems, you can get drip-metered watering devices - just fill a reservoir and adjust the control until it reaches equilibrium. This has the advantage that you can add traces of nutrient to the water from time to time. You could try propagating cuttings when you trim it. Many bonsai, when young, are grown in open ground or large pots or tubs to encourage them to put on growth. You could try with this one, and keep it in a greenhouse for a couple of years, then if it grows well, cut back top and roots in Spring and repot it in a smaller (not very small) pot and retrain it as a small tree. (Sorry about previous typo; more like senior moment!) The point I am trying to make (which is probably politically incorrect for a gardening group) is that I am nor really interested in anything that requires specialised and constant care. I have cats and children (in that order as the kids are out in the great wide world) to fill any needs I have in that direction. An automatic watering device is going to mar any visual appeal of the plant. I was thinking it might be kinder to the Bonsai (which as far as I can see is a plant tortured to the point that it cannot grow as nature intended) to pot it on and give it a better chance of long term survival even though it is not suited to the UK climate. I don't have a greenhouse at the moment so the options for the poor thing are either a centrally heated house or the nasty bleak world of the outdoors. It is still dropping leaves like snow - I can't work out where they are all coming from as it is still green and bushy! Cheers Dave R |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Bonsai (ish)
David WE Roberts writes
The point I am trying to make (which is probably politically incorrect for a gardening group) is that I am nor really interested in anything that requires specialised and constant care. I have cats and children (in that order as the kids are out in the great wide world) to fill any needs I have in that direction. An automatic watering device is going to mar any visual appeal of the plant. I was thinking it might be kinder to the Bonsai (which as far as I can see is a plant tortured to the point that it cannot grow as nature intended) Oh, I don't know - haven't you seen trees growing in dry and inhospitable lands, or in cracks on cliffs, or even on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall and Devon ;-) to pot it on and give it a better chance of long term survival even though it is not suited to the UK climate. Do enough to make it look nice, then give it away to someone or somewhere the original donor won't see. Next time you buy a plant you want, mentally dedicate it to the donor of the bonsai - ie the plant equivalent of taking inappropriate gift clothing back to the shop and exchanging it for something better. -- Kay |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
OT-ish a frog?, no make that frogs?, in Britain | Ponds | |||
OT-ish a frog?, no make that frogs?, in Britain | Ponds | |||
OT Garden with Insight OT-ish | United Kingdom | |||
Where can I buy large-ish trees mail-order? | United Kingdom | |||
( OT..ish ) Marrow Harrow | United Kingdom |