Seraphim01

Seedling
Messages
19
Reaction score
10
Location
Odessa,tx
USDA Zone
8a
I recently acquired a gumbo limbo tree, it is in the pre-bonsai stage. I was just wondering how much do I water it? I think i pretty much have everything else under control. I've been reading up on them but everything says its drought tolerant, and to wait till the soil dries out. But what I've noticed is that trees that would be drought tolerant in ground aren't always so as bonsai. And I can't find anything on gumbo limbo bonsai care...any help would be great. Any kind of information pertaining to gumbo limbo bonsai care would be greatly appreciated aswell.
 

Forsoothe!

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,878
Reaction score
9,248
Location
Michigan
USDA Zone
6b
Growing seasons around the world vary widely and it is difficult to get a perspective on what someone says when we don't know where in the world they are. If you go to the upper right hand corner and click on your Icon, you can add your location and people will be able to customize advice for you.




<<<<< It will show here.
 

Crawforde

Chumono
Messages
670
Reaction score
1,197
Location
Florida
USDA Zone
9b
Where are you?
Here in Florida I have a few little ones in pots to mess with and see what they can do.
they will never be any kind of “normal” or “formal” bonsai, but they may make some neat little trees, the roots can develop well and will set the red flaky bark when exposed.
My gumbo limbo in pots do like to be watered daily.
the leaves will droop when thirsty so if you are paying attention you can just water as needed instead of on a schedule.
The cuttings strike very easily.
just cut a piece off and stick it in some soil.
just about any size bit in just about any kind of soil. I haven’t found anything that doesn’t work yet.
Water when you feel like it.
I am pretty sure that if you want to kill them you will have to try.
 

SWfloirda

Chumono
Messages
623
Reaction score
1,256
Location
Southwest Florida
USDA Zone
10a
I water every day, every other day for maybe December and January. Long internodes, big leaves but you can do pretty much anything to them and they’ll bounce back. 100% success with cuttings. Most of the movement in this tree is from aggressive chopping.
 

Attachments

  • AEA84B3D-5BBC-4797-9A2C-73C292236DDF.jpeg
    AEA84B3D-5BBC-4797-9A2C-73C292236DDF.jpeg
    146.6 KB · Views: 27

Crawforde

Chumono
Messages
670
Reaction score
1,197
Location
Florida
USDA Zone
9b
I water every day, every other day for maybe December and January. Long internodes, big leaves but you can do pretty much anything to them and they’ll bounce back. 100% success with cuttings. Most of the movement in this tree is from aggressive chopping.
Nice tree.
I like it.
I think these can be a decent sized literati style tree although it would be fun to try and do a shorter thick trunked oak style tree to show off the bark differently.
 

Seraphim01

Seedling
Messages
19
Reaction score
10
Location
Odessa,tx
USDA Zone
8a
I'm really sorry, I dont know why I didnt think about location location location...I'm in texas the western part of texas like desert part of texas...zone 8a...I guess I also wasnt expecting quick responses either...my first time even being on a bonsai forum. Or any forum for that matter.
 

Crawforde

Chumono
Messages
670
Reaction score
1,197
Location
Florida
USDA Zone
9b
Yea
Bonsaists often respond much faster than bonsai.
welcome aboard.
 

penumbra

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,383
Reaction score
15,855
Location
Front Royal, VA
USDA Zone
6
Yes please hang around. I am interested in this tree. I remember seeing wild ones in the FL Keys. Awesome.
 
Top Bottom