Portulacaria Afra Prostrata (Trailing): Anybody Experimenting?

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Chumono
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Anybody experimenting with prostrate portulacaria? Nice small leaves. Crazy back budding. Been removing any downward growth. Waste of time and bench space? Oh just messing about…This one is small with about a 3/4“ trunk.616D3106-5D2C-479A-A6A6-C434B1427AE7.jpeg958AAE20-935B-4307-88F6-EFBE2068AF51.jpeg

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p_anova

Mame
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Washington DC. DC ARBORETUM IS BEHIND MY HOUSE!
This is actually one of my oldest bonsai circa 2008? Did a whole bunch of things wrong to this guy but it kept on going (didn't realize you were supposed to remove the tap root for one and it took up most of the pot!). It has always been in a bonsai pot and has done fine. I have rooted many cuttings from this tree and given them as presents so newbies could kill them. Obviously it will grow faster in a bigger pot with more organics but I like the size that it is at. Also learned that you can twist branches 1/4 in either direction to reorient the branches if needed, very useful if you have top or bottom growth at the end of the branch. Doesn't need cut paste either and no pest problems in all that time.20220606_122309.jpg20220606_122242.jpg What's not to like?
 

19Mateo83

Masterpiece
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I’m just getting started with small rooted cuttings of portulacaria afra “manny”. I’m curious to see how these do when they get bigger. I passed on the prostrate variety because of the weeping habit. I guess with time and once the trunks thicken up enough to sufficiently provide vertical support it may make a sweet tree. Especially with those red stems.
 

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p_anova

Mame
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Washington DC. DC ARBORETUM IS BEHIND MY HOUSE!
I’m just getting started with small rooted cuttings of portulacaria afra “manny”. I’m curious to see how these do when they get bigger. I passed on the prostrate variety because of the weeping habit. I guess with time and once the trunks thicken up enough to sufficiently provide vertical support it may make a sweet tree. Especially with those red stems.
The branches are pretty thick on this guy so it does not not weep anymore, unless I let the new growth run. I have used aluminum wire on this guy occasionally to remove the zig zag growth pattern on young shoots. Seems to work ok as long as you do not wire too tight and the branch isn't thick.
 

Balbs

Shohin
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I’ve had this guy for a few years. It was a few small cuttings from HD when I got it, and I let it grow for probably 3-4 years. I finally gave it a good trim, worked the roots, and potted it this winter.
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