6” Ming aralia project

Eckhoffw

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So the evergreens and shrubs aren’t quite out at the nursery. So I picked up this little group.
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This was one of those 6” tropicals where you get 4 plants.
I separated the 4 plants and noticed how long the taproots where. As there were many fine roots attached all along, I cut less and opted for a deeper pot than I wanted to use. 268EEAD2-62CE-42EA-8AA1-3AA4265FEB04.jpeg
The 4. After slight root prune.
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Positioned them in the pot with wire.
I used the original peaty Barky soil mixed with some pumice, lava, calcined clay. It seams that these plant prefer moist conditions.
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I think the tree at left could be shortened, but I liked the curves.
As always, hope it lives. 😁
 

TinyArt

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Once again seeing how nicely Ming aralia silhouettes suggest mature trees -- I think they'd be a lot of fun to make little landscapes. Hmm!
 

Eckhoffw

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Once again seeing how nicely Ming aralia silhouettes suggest mature trees -- I think they'd be a lot of fun to make little landscapes. Hmm!
yes indeed! I’m not sure about how healthy these are right now. But still, the young plants have a bit of a aged look. Like a group that’s been around for a bit.
 

TreeJunkie

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Never had Ming aralia.
I need Ming aralia!

To be honest I don’t think I’ve ever seen one anywhere.

Very nice!
It does have an aged look about it.
I bought one a few weeks ago but heard they are “technically not bonsai.”
 

TreeJunkie

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What is bonsai to you?......what is bonsai?
They were labeled as “woody houseplants” and “not bonsai.”

My guess was it had something to do with the ability to build ramification.

If the goal is to just create a miniature looking tree in a pot then i think it could be considered for bonsai but i don't know the technicalities well enough to say why it is or isn’t a bonsai
 

Pitoon

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They were labeled as “woody houseplants” and “not bonsai.”

My guess was it had something to do with the ability to build ramification.

If the goal is to just create a miniature looking tree in a pot then i think it could be considered for bonsai but i don't know the technicalities well enough to say why it is or isn’t a bonsai
Bonsai is the horticultural practice of keeping trees dwarfed in pots. Any plant that can grow a trunk can be trained as bonsai.
 

Eckhoffw

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They were labeled as “woody houseplants” and “not bonsai.”

My guess was it had something to do with the ability to build ramification.

If the goal is to just create a miniature looking tree in a pot then i think it could be considered for bonsai but i don't know the technicalities well enough to say why it is or isn’t a bonsai
I try to just enjoy working with the plants. leaving labels or technical terms out is liberating.
Would love to see your Ming Aralia!
I’ve seen some big ones that are real cool!
 

TinyArt

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They were labeled as “woody houseplants” and “not bonsai.”
Perhaps it was butt-covering on the part of seller/supplier, so buyers wouldn't be shocked when the little things grew?
Either way, enjoy your find 🙂
 

TreeJunkie

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I try to just enjoy working with the plants. leaving labels or technical terms out is liberating.
Would love to see your Ming Aralia!
I’ve seen some big ones that are real cool!
Photos of my Ming!
 

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TreeJunkie

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Perhaps it was butt-covering on the part of seller/supplier, so buyers wouldn't be shocked when the little things grew?
Either way, enjoy your find 🙂
Yeah not really sure, I read it on other forums online. I will try to do some styling on it
 

StPaddy

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I have a Ming in my kitchen window. 2”3E2D127A-751E-480A-92EA-91711D363414.jpeg pot water every few days seems happy. I hardly have done a thing since I bought it last summer for 15 bucks, clipped a bunch off it and stuffed it in a wee pot.
 

TreeJunkie

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Photos of my Ming!
Mid-pruning found some bad inverse taper. Might have to chop harder than i planned…
 

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TreeJunkie

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Mid-pruning found some bad inverse taper. Might have to chop harder than i planned…
Chopped it. I like it, it’s cute. Hopefully I didn’t kill it 😬
 

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Eckhoffw

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Chopped it. I like it, it’s cute. Hopefully I didn’t kill it 😬
Wow! yeah, you got to it!🤣
Aralia likes to knuckle and bulge it seems. It will be interesting to see how it responds!
 
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