Looking For A New Bonsai

FreedomFighter · 10-19-2008, 11:02 PM

I'm fairly new to bonsai and was looking for a new specimen. I have a couple shimpaku's and a bougvillia. Was looking for something like a Maple, I'm not sure what grows well in Southeast Texas, any advice is appreciated!

FF

M.B. · 10-20-2008, 01:31 AM

Olives, they take the heat, easy care. Great all around tree for hot summers.
Chinese elms, though I move mine to afternoon shade when it's hot.
If you get a Japanese maple be prepared for crisp edges on your leaves if you get any dry strong winds which I'm sure you do from time to time. The ones I have kept in shade and only morning sun seem to fair better than the ones exposed to more direct sun. They look a bit ragged by the end of summer but they are great otherwise. I find the plain green ones to be hardier than the more exotic varieties.
Mary B.

anttal63 · 10-20-2008, 06:33 AM

hey FF WELCOME TO BC; Speaking of which, i read many people from down there use alot of Bald Cypress. As Mary stated Olives are tough and great to work with. How about Taxus Baccata, nows theres a tree. good luck.

FreedomFighter · 10-20-2008, 09:52 PM

Thanks for the advice. I think all those would make a great bonsai. I'll do research on them and make a decision by this coming spring. I wasn't sure what would survive in this climate, now I have a couple to choose from.

Again, thanks for your intrest.

FF

treebeard55 · 10-22-2008, 05:17 PM

Check out, also, live oak and cedar elm. Both are native to at least some parts of Texas, and both have been found to be good bonsai subjects.

Cedar elm, indeed, could be called the national tree of Texas bonsaiists!

Prowler · 10-23-2008, 10:33 AM

Also try a grape vine, get the none edible ones these have smaller leaves for a start and tiny grapes, although not used a lot in bonsai.
You can get a nice thick trunk with small leaves and look very nice, very hardy and can be kept outside even in winter with a bit of protection from wind.Just something to play about with. Cheers.

BONSAI_OUTLAW · 10-23-2008, 04:57 PM

I am from Beaumont. You can grow Trident Maples easily there.

BONSAI_OUTLAW · 10-23-2008, 05:01 PM

I'd also like to add that I did not have many A. palmatum. The one that I had that did the best were A. palmatum 'tiny leaf, tiny seed.' I bought these seedlngs from Brent at www.evergreengardenworks.com.

FreedomFighter · 10-23-2008, 11:50 PM

Thanks very much everybody! I didn't think I would have these many options to choose from. They all seem like great bonsai, I'll make a decision this coming spring. Should have plenty of time to do research and see what may suit my needs.

Again, thanks to all!

FF

Kansai · 11-16-2008, 11:38 PM

I'm chiming in a bit late here, but don't overlook Texas ebony, Brazilian rain tree and one of my favorites, crape myrtle.

DR

10-19-2008, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
FreedomFighter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South, Texas Posts: 17	Looking For A New Bonsai I'm fairly new to bonsai and was looking for a new specimen. I have a couple shimpaku's and a bougvillia. Was looking for something like a Maple, I'm not sure what grows well in Southeast Texas, any advice is appreciated! FF __________________ I have never let schooling interfere with my education. I have read your book and many like it.

10-20-2008, 06:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
anttal63 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: melbourne victoria australia Posts: 148	hey FF WELCOME TO BC; Speaking of which, i read many people from down there use alot of Bald Cypress. As Mary stated Olives are tough and great to work with. How about Taxus Baccata, nows theres a tree. good luck. __________________ Antonio...... __________ http://www.ausbonsai.com/forum/index.php (unlimited)

10-20-2008, 09:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
FreedomFighter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South, Texas Posts: 17	Thanks for the advice. I think all those would make a great bonsai. I'll do research on them and make a decision by this coming spring. I wasn't sure what would survive in this climate, now I have a couple to choose from. Again, thanks for your intrest. FF __________________ I have never let schooling interfere with my education. I have read your book and many like it.

10-22-2008, 05:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
treebeard55 A shepherd of trees Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 101	Check out, also, live oak and cedar elm. Both are native to at least some parts of Texas, and both have been found to be good bonsai subjects. Cedar elm, indeed, could be called the national tree of Texas bonsaiists! __________________ Treebeard 55 Christmas -- the prequel to Easter.

10-23-2008, 10:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Prowler Deceased: 11/24/2008 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 361	Also try a grape vine, get the none edible ones these have smaller leaves for a start and tiny grapes, although not used a lot in bonsai. You can get a nice thick trunk with small leaves and look very nice, very hardy and can be kept outside even in winter with a bit of protection from wind.Just something to play about with. Cheers. __________________ Its hell out there, give them hell back.

10-20-2008, 01:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
M.B. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Outside Sacramento, CA Posts: 19	Olives, they take the heat, easy care. Great all around tree for hot summers. Chinese elms, though I move mine to afternoon shade when it's hot. If you get a Japanese maple be prepared for crisp edges on your leaves if you get any dry strong winds which I'm sure you do from time to time. The ones I have kept in shade and only morning sun seem to fair better than the ones exposed to more direct sun. They look a bit ragged by the end of summer but they are great otherwise. I find the plain green ones to be hardier than the more exotic varieties. Mary B.

10-23-2008, 04:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
BONSAI_OUTLAW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodstown, NJ Posts: 10	I am from Beaumont. You can grow Trident Maples easily there.

10-23-2008, 05:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
BONSAI_OUTLAW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodstown, NJ Posts: 10	I'd also like to add that I did not have many A. palmatum. The one that I had that did the best were A. palmatum 'tiny leaf, tiny seed.' I bought these seedlngs from Brent at www.evergreengardenworks.com.

10-23-2008, 11:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
FreedomFighter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South, Texas Posts: 17	Thanks very much everybody! I didn't think I would have these many options to choose from. They all seem like great bonsai, I'll make a decision this coming spring. Should have plenty of time to do research and see what may suit my needs. Again, thanks to all! FF __________________ I have never let schooling interfere with my education. I have read your book and many like it.

11-16-2008, 11:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kansai Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NE Kansas, S Texas Posts: 97	I'm chiming in a bit late here, but don't overlook Texas ebony, Brazilian rain tree and one of my favorites, crape myrtle. DR __________________ Bonsai is easy! All you have to do is stare at a little tree until drops of blood form on your forehead.--paraphrased from Gene Fowler

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