Shohin Portulacaria Afra broom

[Kenneth]

Hi!
Got myself a Portulacaria afra last november.


Just defoliated it today in hopes of more backbuds.
I know it has bar branches and not ideal but all the branches that come out of the trunk are bar branched. Still has pretty bad nebari but heres hoping to roots growing where i need them


Will use this thread to document progress in future.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Bar branches are not "a Fatal Flaw", in some species, like Portulacaria afra, they are often accepted as normal. When the trunk is really fat, the trunk itself puts a distance between the bar branches, and often that separation is enough that the issue is not a problem. Your tree is broom style. You need some of those bar branches. I would not change it right now.

 

[Colorado]

Nice little tree!!

 

[jaco94]

Great strength in a small tree , i love it !
Maybe just a little larger pot could be visually a good option .

 

[Kenneth]

Bar branches are not "a Fatal Flaw", in some species, like Portulacaria afra, they are often accepted as normal. When the trunk is really fat, the trunk itself puts a distance between the bar branches, and often that separation is enough that the issue is not a problem. Your tree is broom style. You need some of those bar branches. I would not change it right now.

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll just let it be until it becomes a problem if it ever becomes a problem.

 

[Kenneth]

Great strength in a small tree , i love it !
Maybe just a little larger pot could be visually a good option .

Yeah definitely agree with you, sadly i dont have one which is just slightly larger. Thinking a nice blue or white oval would be lovely.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Yeah definitely agree with you, sadly i dont have one which is just slightly larger. Thinking a nice blue or white oval would be lovely.

Consider something that is a little more masculine than your standard glossy white or blue. I agree a circular or oval shape is the best direction, but you have a chunky, rough tree that IMHO would contrast too greatly with a smooth glaze. Perhaps something with an off-white or crackle texture?

 

[just.wing.it]

Tree shape looks nice! Round pot would be better, I think.

 

[fredman]

Hi!
Got myself a Portulacaria afra last november.
View attachment 298368

Just defoliated it today in hopes of more backbuds.
I know it has bar branches and not ideal but all the branches that come out of the trunk are bar branched. Still has pretty bad nebari but heres hoping to roots growing where i need them
View attachment 298369

Will use this thread to document progress in future.

Very nice tree. The nebari will start forming quicker than you think. This one was straight like yours and started forming in the last year.

 

[lomar]

Nice tree!!
im new to the forum! some one has any problem with dead trunk bark or rooting trunk with afras? the rest of the tree seems fine i have a 3 of my older ones with this problem and cant find anything online about it! this picture is a few months ago it's getting worse. any help please!
thanks.

 

[fredman]

Nice tree!!
im new to the forum! some one has any problem with dead trunk bark or rooting trunk with afras? the rest of the tree seems fine i have a 3 of my older ones with this problem and cant find anything online about it! this picture is a few months ago it's getting worse. any help please!
thanks.

That's kinda unusual. Bark is supposed to be smooth like the top on yours. I've never seen that. Almost like something has eaten it...?

 

[MrWunderful]

Nice tree!!
im new to the forum! some one has any problem with dead trunk bark or rooting trunk with afras? the rest of the tree seems fine i have a 3 of my older ones with this problem and cant find anything online about it! this picture is a few months ago it's getting worse. any help please!
thanks.

could be a Cork bark variety, starting to cork up.

 

[fredman]

could be a Cork bark variety, starting to cork up.

That makes a lot of sense

 

[MrWunderful]

Sometimes “non” cork variety P.Afra will develop a rough cork like texture.

Generally the “cork” type have pretty aggressive corking. I think @bonsainut had a frank yee corky (maybe still does)

 

[lomar]

thank you for your inputs! yes i though it was cork , but it is drying and droping one or 2 branches. on one tree tree its half way through the trunk! it seems to keep groing! what could be eating it? dont see any bugs!
i'll post other pics thay are better than discribing it

 

[lomar]

I took these yesterday! Here is another, the second dropped the apex and a branch where the scar is! Thank for the help

 

[fredman]

Sorry mate, I wish I could help but i've never seen that on any of my Portulcarias.
Shot in the dark...maybe mice?
I know the leaves are edible. Humans eat it..hell i've eaten it. Some animal might've taken a liking to the bark...?

 

[sorce]

My squirrel tastes look like that, only yours seem more than tastes, tastes good!

Sorce

 

[lomar]

Sorry mate, I wish I could help but i've never seen that on any of my Portulcarias.
Shot in the dark...maybe mice?
I know the leaves are edible. Humans eat it..hell i've eaten it. Some animal might've taken a liking to the bark...?

well, those scars didn't appear like that! they started out like flakes, rotting spots that i peeled off. it looked like bark at first, i thought that maybe a insect o bug was eating it! thanks for answering. yes i also tried the leaves my self! they are not bad!

 

[fredman]

well, those scars didn't appear like that! they started out like flakes, rotting spots that i peeled off. it looked like bark at first, i thought that maybe a insect o bug was eating it! thanks for answering. yes i also tried the leaves my self! they are not bad!

Ah I see...you peeled it. You sure it was rotting bark? Must be a cork bark then.
Nah mate this tree aren't bothered by pests much. If it's happy and getting enough sun, it's almost bullet proof against pests.
Another thing, more friendly than non friendly bugs uses the bark as hiding...and playing place
Don't peel it