Podocarpus Bonsai, Jan 2016

[@martinjansevanvuuren213]

Wow its interesting to see my favourite tree as a bonsai. Here in Knysna, South Africa, these grow in the indigenous forest as real Giants. They are about 50 meters high and 7 meters in circumference. Some of them are 800 years old. I went in search of some little growing trees for bonsai and all of them also have very thin trunks and thick leaves. They are too fragile. But if you can have a bonsai of that age it would've looked awesome. :) ;) :D

[@dubsydabster]

that's awesome

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Martin Janse van Vuuren I'd love to see some pictures of these giants! It's always amazing to see typical house plants in nature as mature trees.

[@TheMrericmichel]

+Martin Janse van Vuuren This is not the same species. This tree is is Podocarpus. Henkelli, which doesn't grow big and tall, it's more a christmas tree shape. Podocapus latiofolus and falcatus are the tall growing ones found in Knysna.

[@pattik172]

Thanks Nigel, that is a nice Podocarpus Long leaf. Also that the species is poison from the leaf bark and blossom pollen. nice to see in these dark winter days.

[@aleksbonsai6925]

Might have a look for one of these at my local garden and hardware store. Thanks for sharing ~Alek

[@anikatyrone6819]

Shared on Google+ Podocarpus Bonsai, Jan 2016 ( 01 09 2016) Thank you +Nigel Saunders for more about Podocarpus Bonsai, so much to learn, even about allergies towards this type of bonsai. You are very informative and also am sharing this info with my Community called Bonsai: Trees ? Flowers. I would like to know if you have bonsai with flowers, a great many people have asked about them, (white cherry blossom bonsai)? Awaiting you response. God Bless You All, Take Care, forevermore, Anika Tyrone (9:37 pm).

[@dawud7791]

Look at the size of those needles!!! That needs way more light!!! Lol, I know this is old, but if it gets a lot of light, It will be a small leaf too, haha

[@COLLINBONSAI]

congradulations on the vídeo ,a big hug.

[@jeffncompany]

any updates on this? is it still alive? hope you got my email about the aerial roots!

[@KennetDeBondt]

Well, this is starting to look like a tree, but it would indeed be better if the tree were 3x bigger, because of the leaves. Maybe a fun and interesting experiment: why not graft the small leaved padocarpus on this tree? Anyway, nice work. greets Kennet

[@dk2614]

Do you still have this tree Nigel?

[@CarvingBonsai]

by video congratulations, my friend, Nigel you live in Canada? great new year and a big hug ... Tonny Fênix

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Carving Bonsai Sim, eu estou localizado em South Western Ontario. Canadá. Feliz Ano Novo!

[@CarvingBonsai]

My son is in love with Canada, I confess that interested me a lot to move to there, but has a lot of bureaucracy and that discourages me ... big hug

[@dubsydabster]

My garden is missing a Buddhist pine. I've been wanting one for a year now.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Dubsy Dabster They come and go at garden centers and are kind of rare this way. Good luck hunting!

[@dubsydabster]

Nigel Saunders​ Thanks. For sure hitting up home depot for a green mound juniper in the spring but I'll have an eye out at my local nursery. I just want a cutting if I can find some rooted

[@wdougan9686]

is this a long leaf slender leaf ficus?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Allen Byrd No, I know the Ficus you're thinking of, we call them Sabre leaf ficus. The Podocarpus is a different tree from the ficus.

[@kilthsenarc]

Hi Nigel I live in the UK does my podocarpus have a chance

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, as long as you bring it inside before the frost hits in fall. Keep your tree at a nice sunny south facing window for the winter and keep it watered properly. Always let the soil go almost dry before watering thoroughly. On sunny days you may have to water every day, and when it is cloudy, possibly only once a week. Your soil should be checked at least once a day to see if it needs water. You can also use grow lights if you don't have a good window sill.

[@kilthsenarc]

Thanks for your reply

[@kilthsenarc]

Thanks for your reply

[@1985Buff]

@@TheBonsaiZone I've got one of these from a sapling , it's only a year old but I'm worried about over watering it

[@malagabee]

They need to be large in order to look good imho. Found this grower video on KZbin, starts at 4:40. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2WmmXmqrZpmatU

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+malagabee Thanks for the link, I'll try putting the tree in a large training pot in spring and see if I can get the tree larger so the leaves don't look so big. They do grow quickly, but the trunks stay thin and whippy. Maybe I'll have to grow it huge and then cut it back every 5 years or so.