Update on the Bonsai Trees

[mauraec]

Well, it seems that my trees perform more willingly for me here than my orchids. My two tropical bonsais - a Grewia and a Pomegranate - are absolutely cruising. Here are a few photos.

This is my wild bush of a Grewia before Phillip tamed it



And here it is after its haircut. It was cut back severely and pre-bonsaid by a master in June, so its bones should start to become more evident after each shaping.






And here's my dwarf pomegranate. It was also cut back severely in June, grew back into a bush, and this is how it looks after Phillip shaped it. It's far from being a bonsai, but it has 4 buds, more coming, and the flowers are beautiful!

[pavel]

Very nice! Wish I had the vision and patience for bonsai ... I've always loved them.

[catttan]

They are coming along very nicely Maura! Congrats!

[stateless]

Very nice, have a grewia in my front yard, like the size of yours better, nice growing.

[Halloamey]

Nice cut my Philip ! The tamed version shows a very nice basic plan. I think you are aiming for a formal upright style?. Next time don't give the lowest branch a chop, I can tell you from my limited experience that if you keep cutting the lowest branch with the rest of the apical leads it will never fill out and become as stout as it must. As the first branch it should be the thickest one, but due to apical dominance it will remain thinner compared to the top branches.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Those Bonsai trees are so nice, Maura. I got Lou one as a birthday present several years ago. I spent way to much on it, but wanted a really special one. It was pretty old and well established when we got it. It lasted about two years here in Arkansas. We just couldn't care for it properly. It has tiny little fragrant blooms. I need to try again with one that isn't so expensive and easier to grow.

cheers,
BD

[panam]

Just don't tell your pomegranate that I routinely have to attack mine with hedge trimmers and a chain saw! Pomegranate flowers sure are neat, though, aren't they?

[mauraec]

Those Bonsai trees are so nice, Maura. I got Lou one as a birthday present several years ago. I spent way to much on it, but wanted a really special one. It was pretty old and well established when we got it. It lasted about two years here in Arkansas. We just couldn't care for it properly. It has tiny little fragrant blooms. I need to try again with one that isn't so expensive and easier to grow.

cheers,
BD

Sounds like it's time to try again! If you go with a young tropical, you should be able to grow it in your greenhouse, and enjoy it in the house as well. And, as they take decades to mature, there's really no rush in getting it truly "bonsai'd".