Ideas for indoor tree's

[Jordan Dies]

Hi everybody and thanks in advance for anybody who chips in.

I've recently taken the first steps getting into the hobby, brought some seeds to test different germination methods out and brought a tree. The tree has lost all leaves and is not identifiable at the moment so am moving to my friends garden where anything that is grown or added to the collection will go as I have no garden space.

As much as I can appreciate most trees will need to be outdoors for most if not all year I really still want one in my home. I know a few tropics can be grown indoors and I was wondering if anybody would recommend a certain type for indoors in the UK. Pictures of trees you may have indoors would be great if anybody can.

Any info you feel is relevant to me not on the stuff I mentioned please share.

Thanks again for evwrybodies help so far.

 

[BrianBay9]

Hi everybody and thanks in advance for anybody who chips in.

I've recently taken the first steps getting into the hobby, brought some seeds to test different germination methods out and brought a tree. The tree has lost all leaves and is not identifiable at the moment so am moving to my friends garden where anything that is grown or added to the collection will go as I have no garden space.

As much as I can appreciate most trees will need to be outdoors for most if not all year I really still want one in my home. I know a few tropics can be grown indoors and I was wondering if anybody would recommend a certain type for indoors in the UK. Pictures of trees you may have indoors would be great if anybody can.

Any info you feel is relevant to me not on the stuff I mentioned please share.

Thanks again for evwrybodies help so far.

Many Ficus can tolerate indoor environments. Schefflera certainly can. All will benefit from supplemental lighting and humidity, and from an extended period of time outdoors if you can manage it.

 

[Jordan Dies]

Many Ficus can tolerate indoor environments. Schefflera certainly can. All will benefit from supplemental lighting and humidity, and from an extended period of time outdoors if you can manage it.

Thanks. I'll take a look into those and see if anything strikes my attention.

I can keep outdoors whenever but will be wanting to keep indoors most of the time.
Would you say 1 in 4 weeks outside would be along the right tracks or would it be best to leave put for a sustained period then bring in till next year?

Thanks again

 

[BrianBay9]

Would you say 1 in 4 weeks outside would be along the right tracks or would it be best to leave put for a sustained period then bring in till next year?

Thanks again

I wouldn't advise taking them in and out repeatedly because they will need time to adjust to higher and lower light levels. It would be better to put them outside in summer and inside in winter. When I was in a cold climate I put my tropicals and semi-tropicals outside when the night time temps were consistently in the upper 40's F (8 C) or so, and back in again when they fell below that. Some use 50 F (10C) as their cut-off temp.

 

[Anthony]

Indoor oak --------- supposedly a Victorian parlour plant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja_indica

http://bonsaibeginnings.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-of-old-time-house-plants.html

Give it a try.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Ficus will do ok. If you can give them supplemental lighting. I plant in a well draining mix. Watch the trees closely for their watering needs. If you can put them outside in the summer months even better. Don't over work them in off months.
I've heard Bougies and Chinese elms can be treated the same way but I have not tried these.
Brush cherry and Fukien tea are also supposed to be contenders along with some podocarpus species. I know brush cherry will work. I kill every Fukien tea I get my hands on.

 

[Carol 83]

Ficus, Barbados Cherry, Brazilian Rain Tree, Natal Plum, Fukien Tea, bougainvillea can all be overwintered indoors, with supplemental light. But want to go outside for as long as possible. I am on the conservative side, and put them out once nighttime temps are 60, and bring them in once it gets down to 50 degrees.

 

[BrianBay9]

Ficus, Barbados Cherry, Brazilian Rain Tree, Natal Plum, Fukien Tea, bougainvillea can all be overwintered indoors, with supplemental light. But want to go outside for as long as possible. I am on the conservative side, and put them out once nighttime temps are 60, and bring them in once it gets down to 50 degrees.

I'd never get them outside here if I waited for 60 F. Most nights here are in the 50's all summer long.

 

[Carol 83]

I'd never get them outside here if I waited for 60 F. Most nights here are in the 50's all summer long.

Really, in CA? It seems we go straight from winter to summer here.

 

[BrianBay9]

Really, in CA? It seems we go straight from winter to summer here.

Only in the San Francisco bay area, not inland. We have had highs in the low 70s, lows in the high 50's all summer long. Our winters will be highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s. There are all kinds of microclimates within 20 miles of here. Some cooler, many hotter. Poor Smoke (or Bananaman?) and my daughter in the central valley have suffered through 100 + temps all summer long.

 

[coltranem]

As much as I can appreciate most trees will need to be outdoors for most if not all year I really still want one in my home. I know a few tropics can be grown indoors and I was wondering if anybody would recommend a certain type for indoors in the UK.

You do realize that “really” wanting something doesn’t make it possible? In the same vane you could really want a horse inside even though horses should be outside.

If you insist on doing this inside you should research how much light you can provide. What are you willing to spend on a light setup? In general Ficus seem to grow indoors ok. However I have no experience. I have grown tomatoes indoors and they limp along. My office has a few larger Ficus trees in pots in natural light but they just survive they don’t really grow anymore. The point here is to do work on trees they need to be vigorous. Getting vigorous trees in an inside environment requires more work.

 

[sorce]

L.E.D.

Welcome to Crazy!

Y'all gotta set up lights outside to grow anything Anyway....

Sorce

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

You do realize that “really” wanting something doesn’t make it possible? In the same vane you could really want a horse inside even though horses should be outside.

If you insist on doing this inside you should research how much light you can provide. What are you willing to spend on a light setup? In general Ficus seem to grow indoors ok. However I have no experience. I have grown tomatoes indoors and they limp along. My office has a few larger Ficus trees in pots in natural light but they just survive they don’t really grow anymore. The point here is to do work on trees they need to be vigorous. Getting vigorous trees in an inside environment requires more work.

One time, when helping an elderly couple on a farm, I got pinched in the buttcheeks. I thought it was the old lady trying to show her appreciation. Cheeky! But when I turned around, it seemed that I was bitten in the bum by a horse inside a living room. Those people had a mini horse inside the house. They even made a 'cat door' for it so it could go outside when it felt like it.
I wish I made this up. I freaking hate horses and being locked in a house with one is nightmare (ha, mare!) material.

Back on thread:

Eucalyptus deglupta seems to do fine indoors. Well, not good at all, not great, but fine.

 

[leatherback]

Take a look at hibiscus. I have one as officeplant for about 8 years now. Never been outside yets has a 1inch trunk and very dense ramification (Because every time I leave for a week or over, I trim the poor thing back to stubs). Flowers twice a year. Does well. The leaves are too big for it to become a bonsai, but it is near enough at the moment.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Take a look at hibiscus. I have one as officeplant for about 8 years now. Never been outside yets has a 1inch trunk and very dense ramification (Because every time I leave for a week or over, I trim the poor thing back to stubs). Flowers twice a year. Does well. The leaves are too big for it to become a bonsai, but it is near enough at the moment.

I actually have a tropical hibiscus I've had about 15 years kept in the sunroom. Only time it went out was 5 years ago when I got into the hobby of bonsai. That brief time we had a tornado and it was blown across the deck. We had minimal damage...our neighbor didn't far as well. Tree split her home in half. Since then...the hibiscus has went back inside. My husband claims it as his...and was relieved it's brief time outside didn't do it in. There are Rose of Sharon hibiscus that...I would not tempt to put in my home. They need a dormant period. Tropical if you go that route...in front of a window. But it's a potted plant...not a bonsai.

 

[Carol 83]

I bring all of my patio tropical hibiscus in every winter, just so I don't have to buy new ones every year. They don't seem to mind, and I get to have some flowers over winter. I did semi-bonsai one this year. Which is to say I cut it way back and put it in a sort of shallow pot. But just to save space, when it has to come in.

 

[bonsaichile]

One time, when helping an elderly couple on a farm, I got pinched in the buttcheeks. I thought it was the old lady trying to show her appreciation. Cheeky! But when I turned around, it seemed that I was bitten in the bum by a horse inside a living room. Those people had a mini horse inside the house. They even made a 'cat door' for it so it could go outside when it felt like it.
I wish I made this up. I freaking hate horses and being locked in a house with one is nightmare (ha, mare!) material.

Back on thread:

Eucalyptus deglupta seems to do fine indoors. Well, not good at all, not great, but fine.

???????????

 

[GSCarlson]

I have a dozen ficus and citrus bonsai. They do just as well during the winter next to an east facing window as the summer on a sunny balcony. Most tropical are adaptable to a wide range of light levels.
None of my trees will ever be “show quality”, but few people are in the hobby for that. One “stick in a pot” can be enjoyed as much as a yard full of world class bonsai.

 

[leatherback]

One “stick in a pot” can be enjoyed as much as a yard full of world class bonsai

Hm.. I am wondering whether I have time to get popcorn for this..

 

[Cadillactaste]

Hm.. I am wondering whether I have time to get popcorn for this..

That bowl of popcorn ready?

I have a dozen ficus and citrus bonsai. They do just as well during the winter next to an east facing window as the summer on a sunny balcony. Most tropical are adaptable to a wide range of light levels.
None of my trees will ever be “show quality”, but few people are in the hobby for that. One “stick in a pot” can be enjoyed as much as a yard full of world class bonsai.

One may admire ones horticultural skills on those stick in the pots...but, world class bonsai...appreciation of the art form applies...in my opinion my heart rate would be going up if walking through a yard of world class bonsai.

I think early on...that applies. Ones are just thrilled to be able to keep things alive. Then, one sees more quality of trees and appreciates the art sense, along with a confidence of keeping things alive. And...go for some nice bones. Doesn't mean world class, but they still up their game. Nothing wrong with finding enjoyment in those sticks,if that brings you joy. But...don't speak for all. Just because I don't show...doesn't mean I don't prefer quirky character over sticks. Also doesn't mean one needs world class. But, one can enjoy the hobby at their level of confidence and ability. At the end of the day...enjoy the journey.

Top from left to right: bougainvillea, ginkgo, winged elm
Middle shelf left to right: bald cypress (old photo moss is no longer in trunk) too-little Bengamina ficus
Bottom shelf...accent plant rabbit foot fern...