Portulacaria Afra forest project

[Eckhoffw]

Went browsing at Home Depot, picked up this elephant bush for $23

Mixed up some soil.
1:1:1:1. Perlite fines: Napa fines: turface: Sphagnum peat moss

I soaked and untangled the bush. Turns out there is nine little trees.
Planted them up in this container

Did a little bit of pruning. Now I have some cuttings to possibly fill in open areas later.

Saved one nice tree for its own pot.
Thanks for sharing comments criticism.

 

[AZbonsai]

Nice job! I like the varigated variety. Cool box as well.

 

[jaco94]

Very good idea !
Maybe you could put the big trees in front and the smaller ones behind to create perspective and depth of field .

I found this one as an example

 

[AZbonsai]

Or you could just turn the box around.

 

[just.wing.it]

Cool stuff!

Is it variegated?

 

[Eckhoffw]

Ha

Or you could just turn the box around.

haha. Yeah that’s what I was thinking!

 

[Eckhoffw]

Cool stuff!

Is it variegated?

I believe so.

 

[Carol 83]

I like it. My variegated ones seem to like a little more water than the regular ones.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I like it. My variegated ones seem to like a little more water than the regular ones.

Thanks for the tip!
Do you still let their soil get pretty dry between waterings?
Any misting?
Would Love to see yours
Thanks

 

[RKatzin]

Good job! I'd like it more if you move the tree from the left front corner over into that big open hole in the middle. Just my take on it, but a small passage implies the forest continues beyond what you see. A big hole feels like you've come to the end and the imagination drops off to what? A really good forest composition keeps the viewer in the scene while implying that it goes on forever.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Good job! I'd like it more if you move the tree from the left front corner over into that big open hole in the middle. Just my take on it, but a small passage implies the forest continues beyond what you see. A big hole feels like you've come to the end and the imagination drops off to what? A really good forest composition keeps the viewer in the scene while implying that it goes on forever.

Your right. I’m going to move that one.
I also have some decent cuttings I plan on putting in once they callus.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Took y’all’s advice and tweaked the planting.

I decided to use this box for the cuttings as well. Maybe they will stay/survive and maybe not. I’ll see how the do.

 

[Carol 83]

Thanks for the tip!
Do you still let their soil get pretty dry between waterings?
Any misting?
Would Love to see yours
Thanks

I water once a week, no misting. They keep me company in my office at work, southern exposure. I put together a goofy little forest with random jade and variegated p. afra cuttings one winter when I was bored. I don't have a current picture, there's a thread on it somewhere. This one is probably going in a pot tomorrow, weather is supposed to be crummy.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Took y’all’s advice and tweaked the planting.

I decided to use this box for the cuttings as well. Maybe they will stay/survive and maybe not. I’ll see how the do.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Oops double post.

 

[jaco94]

It's progressing well , maybe it needs more asymmetry .
You could make a web research , using terms " Fibonacci sequence for bonsaï forest " .
It can be useful to find the number of trees to place on both side ( golden ratio ) , in two
asymmetrics groups with an off center passage .

 

[SpOoNzL]

Nice start to this forest I would pick maybe 2 or 3 of the trees near the front and not trim them for maybe 2 years so there trunks get thicker, as forests look best when the trees have different diameter trunks with the thickest trunks been more towards the front of the planting.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Just an update
did my first pruning on the p. Afra forest.
1 dead cutting got pulled, but no to shabby so far. Was looking sad early this spring. Has perked up putting on actual growth.
I do plan on rearranging Them someday.
I have this one I will add -which is the biggest, and will play anchor.

 

[Arizona bonsai]

I am a fan of elephant food plant also. They need very little care & reward us with nice growth.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Update on the P. Afra gang.