Arizona bonsai newb first post

[AZ Newb]

Hello Bonsai Nuts
This is my first post of hopefully many more. I have been experimenting with Bonsai for a while, however To say I am a beginner is an understatement. So far, I have been trying to learn from YouTube and other websites. I live in Phoenix, which I’m learning can be a challenging place for this hobby. I have been experimenting with Port. Afra and Bougenvilla, which I have found to be the most tolerant here in the desert. I have so many questions that it would take up too much of your time to respond, so I will start with one. I would love to work with other species, and was hoping to get recommendations on some that are good for beginners and that might be able to take our hot/dry summers. I appreciate any help you are willing to give me and I thank you for your time.
Scott
Embarrassing pics below

 

[atlarsenal]

@milehigh_7 and @AZbonsai are in your area.

 

[LanceMac10]

Glad to have you, in fact......


NH and AZ...….I don't think I could help much!!!! Get a Brazilian Raintree!!!!

 

[Bananaman]

These should do well there:

 

[Bananaman]

On second thought those two saguro’s have some terrible reverse taper. May take a lot of work to fix that?

 

[milehigh_7]

Hello Bonsai Nuts
This is my first post of hopefully many more. I have been experimenting with Bonsai for a while, however To say I am a beginner is an understatement. So far, I have been trying to learn from YouTube and other websites. I live in Phoenix, which I’m learning can be a challenging place for this hobby. I have been experimenting with Port. Afra and Bougenvilla, which I have found to be the most tolerant here in the desert. I have so many questions that it would take up too much of your time to respond, so I will start with one. I would love to work with other species, and was hoping to get recommendations on some that are good for beginners and that might be able to take our hot/dry summers. I appreciate any help you are willing to give me and I thank you for your time.
Scott
Embarrassing pics below

I'll post later but welcome!

 

[cbroad]

@AZ Newb
Also @aml1014 is in New Mexico, he seems like a tinkerer so he probably knows some fun stuff to get your hands dirty with!

 

[AZ Newb]

That’s a good suggestion. I think I can try to wire the arms of the saguaro!
QUOTE="Bananaman, post: 605298, member: 24621"]These should do well there:

View attachment 216835View attachment 216836[/QUOTE]

 

[Shinjuku]

I won’t repeat the content here, but you’ll find your question answered in tremendous detail at:
http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/PPlants.html

Welcome to Bonsai Nut!

 

[AZ Newb]

Thanks to all for your comments and your time.

 

[Underdog]

Welcome!

 

[AZbonsai]

Welcome @AZ Newb Glad to have another Bnutter in AZ! You are in luck....just so happens I took some pictures of forests and seki (sp?) That were critiqued at our weekly Phoenix Bonsai Society meeting last night.

Boxwood

Ginko

Ficus

Bursara (sp?l

Elm

 

[theone420]

I have had great luck so far with
Bougainvillea - do awesome like a weed
Chinese Elm - does great in my desert and you cant get any hotter than here
Boxwood - does great
CapeHoneysuckle - have a root over rock that has flowered 3 times this year in a bonsai pot
Crepe myrtle - grow in landscapes here and I have a couple I kept thriving on pots this summer
Juniper - many varieties do well here in full sun also
Ficus - I have Ficus Benjamin and Indian Laurel and both are growing like weeds.
Cork Oak (Quercus suber) - Have several growing from acorn. they are used as trees in most parking lots here and it gets really hot on the black asphalt(130 degree +)
I also have a couple olive trees growing ok in bosai pots but they are not to big so I will probably put them in the ground for a few years

 

[AZbonsai]

That is a good list from @theone420 very similar environments. Would add pomegranate and olives do great here.

BUT WAIT THERES MORE
@AZ Newb Nand @milehigh_7
Great weekend at The Dig Nursery. Our club sensei David Nygun is in town for two days of classes on Saturday and Sunday. He is very well known and considered to be a master of juniper. The classes are full, however, you can go and be a silent observer. I gurantee it will be worth your time. I will be taking two junipers. You will see a variety of material. And get to know some PBS members. Classes are 8-11 and 1-4 both days.

 

[AZ Newb]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I had no idea that some of those species could take our desert heat!

I have had great luck so far with
Bougainvillea - do awesome like a weed
Chinese Elm - does great in my desert and you cant get any hotter than here
Boxwood - does great
CapeHoneysuckle - have a root over rock that has flowered 3 times this year in a bonsai pot
Crepe myrtle - grow in landscapes here and I have a couple I kept thriving on pots this summer
Juniper - many varieties do well here in full sun also
Ficus - I have Ficus Benjamin and Indian Laurel and both are growing like weeds.
Cork Oak (Quercus suber) - Have several growing from acorn. they are used as trees in most parking lots here and it gets really hot on the black asphalt(130 degree +)
I also have a couple olive trees growing ok in bosai pots but they are not to big so I will probably put them in the ground for a few years

 

[AZ Newb]

@AZbonsai-
Thanks so much for your reply. I actually almost went to that meeting with the forests. I’m sorry I didn’t make it. Those pics are fantastic. I am going to try and make it to the class this weekend. Hopefully I can say hello to you and pick your brain a bit if you aren’t busy.
Thanks again for your kind replies.
Scott

QUOTE="AZbonsai, post: 605365, member: 20626"]That is a good list from @theone420 very similar environments. Would add pomegranate and olives do great here.

BUT WAIT THERES MORE
@AZ Newb Nand @milehigh_7
Great weekend at The Dig Nursery. Our club sensei David Nygun is in town for two days of classes on Saturday and Sunday. He is very well known and considered to be a master of juniper. The classes are full, however, you can go and be a silent observer. I gurantee it will be worth your time. I will be taking two junipers. You will see a variety of material. And get to know some PBS members. Classes are 8-11 and 1-4 both days.[/QUOTE]

 

[AZbonsai]

Hopefully I can say hello to you and pick your brain a bit if you aren’t busy.

That would be great! I will be at the morning and afternoon classes on Saturday.