Kurt Dillow
Seedling
Hello all,
I currently care for 5 larger specimens, a pile of medium ones and probably 280 seedlings of various sizes. All of my mature specimens produce seed every year so I have the opportunity to try lots of experiments in propagation.
Brief Species Description:
Basic Care Info:
I am starting this thread in the event anyone has any questions about the Bursera species as it relates to Bonsai cultivation. Obviously, Bursera are a novel species to many outside of the American Southwest and Mexico, so I imagine there are lots of questions. Sadly there are very few books on the topic of Bursera, let alone Bursera in Bonsai cultivation, but I have a few titles I can share. The rest of the available information in circulation is usually found in scholarly papers and university publications (shortform articles).
- Elephant Trees, Copales, and Cuajiotes | A Natural History of Bursera by Judith Becerra & David Yetman
- Pachyforms | Volume II | Bonsai Succulents by Philippe de Vosjoli & Rudy Lime
- Pachyforms | Volume I | A Guide to Growing Pachucaul & Caudicform Plants by Philippe de Vosjoli
I have been working with Bursera, specifically Bursera fagaroides, since 2007 in Bonsai culture. The tree in the attached photos is my largest specimen that my wife lovingly named Gordita many years ago. I acquired this specimen from an exotic plant dealer out of Florida in 2007. The tree is a Yamadori that was most likely collected in Northern Mexico (specific location was not disclosed to me) in the late 1990’s to early 2000’s. When I acquired it, the tree was bareroot and cut-back very hard (nearly no secondary structure). So, a lot of time and effort was spent building back the root system while developing out the entire canopy from scratch. I will add a second post to this thread showing the progression photos of the tree.
I currently care for 5 larger specimens, a pile of medium ones and probably 280 seedlings of various sizes. All of my mature specimens produce seed every year so I have the opportunity to try lots of experiments in propagation.
Brief Species Description:
Bursera fagaroides are native to the deserts of the American Southwest as well as Mexico. It is a member of the Burseraceae family which is home to the historically famous frankincense and myrrh trees. The Bursera is a caudiciform shrub/small tree that is drought deciduous in its natural habitat. The trees are famous (amongst caudiform nerds) for their thick short trunks with white papery peeling bark and its resinous secretions that have a strong fragrant citrus-like odor. Their common names in North America are: Fragrant Bursera, Torchwood Copal and Elephant Bush. They are a sacred tree to the native/Indigenous populations in Mexico and the American Southwest as well as a keystone species for many insects (honey bees) and migratory birds.
Basic Care Info:
- Light: Full southern sun exposure throughout the growing season. The more sun the better. Under grow lights in the winter.
- Temp: 50°F is the coldest you should allow the tree to experience (in a container). They can handle light frost when planted in the ground. They are really happy and grow profusely from 80°F - 115°F. Obviously freezing temps are to be completely avoided.
- Watering: During growing season, allow soil to dry out 1/4-1/2 down container wall then water deeply. It is not uncommon to water 2-3 times a day in the peak of growing season. During winter rachet back the water a lot. Allow the tree to dry out a lot between waterings. The species goes through a harsh drought during winter months in the Northern hemisphere. At this time they drop leaves and go dormant. The are drought deciduous, but also respond to the reduced photoperiod.
- Fertilization: Bursera respond really well to minimal inputs. For refined trees keep the ferts low (fish emulsion is what I like). For young trees that you are trying to pump up, regular synthetics like Osmocote and Miracle-Gro work great.
- Soil: Aoki Blend, Clay King, or home-brew 1:1:1 (Akadama, Pumice, Lava) are all great options. I like between 1/8" -1/4" grain for most size Bursera. This soil mix makes it really hard to overwater them.