Drought Resistant Trees

[PastryBaker]

I have seen many trees/shrubs in the desert that are listed as drought resistant. Some are landscape and some are in containers. Would a drought resistant tree used in bonsai need less water? Or maybe needs to dry a bit more. I know that bonsai has different root structure than landscape/container plants.
I recently got a Coyote Brush and it is considered drought resistant. Thank you.

 

[JoeR]

In general I'd say no, not really, mostly because of the limited size of bonsai containers. There is a difference in surviving or tolerating drought, and prefering it.

Baobab bonsai have to go through a dry dormancy where they receive little to no water for several weeks. That could be something for you to look into.

I have recently seen a frankincense bonsai, that would be fun and probably considered drought resistant too. Id grow it if I could, far too humid here. Not sure of the climate of palm springs CA, but if it's anything like Bakersfield where all the grapes are grown, I bet you could get away with trying it.

Some eucalyptus as well. Just think middle eastern desert, or Australian brush species

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I tend to agree with @JoeR. I think that, generally speaking, drought tolerant/resistant species will still need consistent watering, especially in the coarser substrates. I'm trying to figure out the right components/ratios to use here in my desert. If I can get a mix that is dry enough but also leaves humidity in the soil air pockets, I will definitely share. I think we live in the most challenging climate for bonsai, although we don't have to deal with fungal issues in most cases.
Basically, I think the soil is more important than the species, and it's a tricky and delicate balance.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Agree with the above. Any tree that's drought tolerent in nature isnt in a pot. The wind alone will do it in.

 

[PastryBaker]

I agree with all of you. Thank you.Especially @JoeR who wrote "There is a difference in surviving or tolerating drought, and prefering it."
Just because something, whether plant or animal, can live though it, doesn't mean they should.
I use to raise snakes and I had a few species that could tolerate certain temps, but that was only in an emergency. Not the norm.

 

[dbonsaiw]

I’m growing vachelia caven which are said to be drought resistant. But I tend to keep them well watered.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Many desert trees have very deep root systems that can tap water from greater than 5 meters below the surface. These are technically called phreatophytes and have other special adaptations. You can read more here https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19676

 

[rodeolthr]

Are your concerns about what will do well in the desert, or that you may not be able to devote enough time to watering?

 

[PastryBaker]

Are your concerns about what will do well in the desert, or that you may not be able to devote enough time to watering?

No. I am off in the summer, so I can water all day. And my friends have been trained on watering if I go away..lol
I just wanted to know that maybe a drought resistant tree may like to dry out more. And I got so much info from here. I love it. Thank you.

 

[Hartinez]

I agree with all of you. Thank you.Especially @JoeR who wrote "There is a difference in surviving or tolerating drought, and prefering it."
Just because something, whether plant or animal, can live though it, doesn't mean they should.
I use to raise snakes and I had a few species that could tolerate certain temps, but that was only in an emergency. Not the norm.

Fun topic!

Agreed completely. What a great way to sum it up @JoeR . Just because they can, doesn’t mean they want to.

I’ve had quite a few Sage brush on and off in my collection for years now and in their environment it is so dry and they are so dry. But in a pot they are the thirstiest trees in my garden. To the point that one tree I repotted this spring was not taking up water the same way it did this summer so I repotted a second time. It had a bit of drying foliage and that has gone away in the weeks since repot.

Piñon and one seed juniper also that have notoriously massive tap roots are happy to get plenty of water from me when it’s available.

 

[Betula1]

I have seen many trees/shrubs in the desert that are listed as drought resistant. Some are landscape and some are in containers. Would a drought resistant tree used in bonsai need less water? Or maybe needs to dry a bit more. I know that bonsai has different root structure than landscape/container plants.
I recently got a Coyote Brush and it is considered drought resistant. Thank you.

Why not consider succulent species if you want real drought tolerance?

 

[rodeolthr]

I definitely vote for adenium as a potential candidate. I have mine growing on a south facing wall where it must be at least 140F on those 120degree days in Palm Desert. They are on a drip, but don't receive a ton of water and seem to love it. Bougies would also be an excellent contender, since you see them growing in those little parking strips all over the valley.....roasting away and completely happy.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Portulacaria  afra, dwarf jade or elephant bush varieties, and Crassula ovata, the jade plant varieties are good candidates as well. I picked up two 3" pots of dwarf jade in the spring, and after dividing ended up with seven plants that grew like crazy over the summer. Trunks thickened, brsnches extended, foliage increased. I think I'm going to have trouble holding them back next year.

I agree with @rodeolthr about bougainvillea. I want to try it myself.

 

[PastryBaker]

I definitely vote for adenium as a potential candidate. I have mine growing on a south facing wall where it must be at least 140F on those 120degree days in Palm Desert. They are on a drip, but don't receive a ton of water and seem to love it. Bougies would also be an excellent contender, since you see them growing in those little parking strips all over the valley.....roasting away and completely happy.

I just a bougie today. They grow everywhere here. I was just curious about how drought resistant trees and if kept as bonsai do they need to be grown different. And they replies have been great. I have a small variety and they all get watered and never left to dry.
I just noticed this beautiful Honey Mesquite in my yard. May air layer a branch.