What kind of tree is this? Anything I can do with it?

[Poink88]

Trust me I get that discussion is not only needed but also interesting but you cant defend how goofy this simple thread was. Clear your head, err umm I mean your melon and re-read this thread. Its ridiculous!

LOL...I've read it. I am the one who initially thought it is money tree! I did miss the 2 other pics below the link and only saw one pic originally. Money tree and schefflera look similar (esp in this case) so I can't blame anyone. Now ficus...that is another story.

 

[nathanbs]

I am the one who initially thought it is money tree!

Yes I know

 

[Dan W.]

I think you may all be wrong...isn't this a Japanese Black Pine? (Pinus Thumbergi)

 

[GrimLore]

I am starting to think it may be a rare type of cacti and suitable for an acccent plant

 

[Vance Wood]

I think it will make a great house plant but, as to a typical bonsai almost impossible to make believable. If you are determined to grow bonsai indoors find a good Ficus and run with it. Your chances are far greater than with this braided tree.

Everything that you can think of that makes a great bonsai this tree is not. I'm just telling you the truth, you may not like, so feel free to throw any pejorative in my direction you please, I have heard them all.

To begin with; the braided trunks pretty much rule out a bonsai in the traditional sense of presenting a mature natural tree in miniature. The leaf size and shape are going to be difficult if not impossible to control, again working against presenting the image of a mature natural tree in miniature. If you choose to define Bonsai as meaning a tree in a pot then you have a bonsai right now-----according to that definition.

I suppose I might catch some flack from other members of this forum for the perception of being un-kind, that too is not new and--- can anyone tell me where I am wrong in what I have said?

 

[bonsaibp]

Sometimes the kindest thing one can do is to tell the truth. Isn't it better to explain why something won't work and provide alternitives than to let one waste their time and money on something that just won't work.

 

[Vance Wood]

Sometimes the kindest thing one can do is to tell the truth. Isn't it better to explain why something won't work and provide alternitives than to let one waste their time and money on something that just won't work.

If I knew twenty years ago some of the things I know now------

The truth is alway the best remedy. There are some trees that are worth the attempt and there are others that are like trying to make a 1955 Chevy out of a box of jello.

 

[Poink88]

I suppose I might catch some flack from other members of this forum for the perception of being un-kind, that too is not new...

I agree with you 100%...and sadly, the quoted part is so true, it makes it difficult to be blunt and honest.

 

[C.A. Young]

I thought it was a money tree too...until I noticed the thicker leaves, which leads me to think schefflera.

 

[edprocoat]

Schefflera can make outstanding bonsai--IF you give it what it wants--which is probably high humidity and high light.

This entire business is basically founded on schefflera bonsai. If you poke around this rather wonky Web site, you will find numerous decent to nice schefflera bonsai--notably the "custom collection." They're not cheap, but show what you can get done with the species.

Scheffelera make nice looking Bonsai in the Banyan style. Someone posted here that the leaves do not reduce well, which is simply not true. Mine has leaves the size of a quarter and some slighly larger, the ones that are underneath that compete for the light. They reduce very well but what is needed to accomplish this in high light and high humidity. As Rockm noted above these trees really need both to do well and its hard to accomplish. Mine basically spends most in time outside year around as I am in Fl. for the winter and Oh. for the summer months so I get to defoliate 3-4 times a year and the constant light keeps the leaves smaller. When I want to get more aerial roots I seal it in a clear box and keep it in teh sun. When they are kept inside or in areas with less light the leaves get enormous to collect energy from the light they get.

ed