The Various Tropical Trees I Grow as Bonsai - Pros and Cons

[@culturemyworld2362]

Might be something in the Phyllanthus family.

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

I do believe you are right. I searched phyllanthus and found phyllanthus myrtifolius - the mouse tail plant - and it looks just like it. Thanks so much!

[@ScottTheExperimentalist]

Great video. I live in coastal Southern California and really like tropicals too. Do you know if the sea hibiscus can be air layered?

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

I've never done it but since they root from cuttings so aggressively I don't see why not. Actually I've got one in the ground that I'm planning to chop so I will do an air layer first and post a video. Thanks for watching!

[@ScottTheExperimentalist]

@@WoodcrestBonsai awesome! I got a 1.5” trunk from Weiger’s but it just tall and straight. Thinking of air layering the top off to make a broom style. With the base I’ll see what she gives me. It’s 45-52 at night here so I’m thinking wait until the spring would be better when it’s warmer?

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

@@ScottTheExperimentalist I'm going to wait until spring (March here in zone 10) to air layer the one I have. I'll take a video so we can see the progress.

[@ScottTheExperimentalist]

Also do you have any experience with sea grape as bonsai?

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

I have some very small ones that have a while to go. They are also very tough trees but leaf miniaturization is very difficult I do know people in the local bonsai community that have them as finished trees but because the leaves are so large most of these trees are large too, three feet or so. I've known some to cut the leaves into smaller circles to get them to reduce! Every tree I've even seen like this looks contrived, but I guess it does get the leaves smaller!

[@ScottTheExperimentalist]

@ someone on KZbin said to trim the biggest leaves off weekly and eventually it gets the point. I just got one a week ago and started the process. Do you know if they are fast or slow growers?

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

@@ScottTheExperimentalist I really have no experience growing them for trunk thickness but I think they do grow fairly fast especially in a huge pot or in the ground. If you have young ones that you want to grow as fast as possible then don't prune off any leaves until it's to the size you want. I don't know anyone who has removed leaves weekly. Without leaves a plant can't grow but it may be worth a try once your trees are at that point to see what happens.

[@ScottTheExperimentalist]

@@WoodcrestBonsai I’ll let you know how it goes. I think the comment was referring to how fast they grow and how quickly they can replace leaves. I’m going to prioritize health of tree over reducing leaf size

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

@@ScottTheExperimentalist My feeling is give it a try and then if you see the tree getting weak you can always stop. Keep me posted, I'd love to hear how it goes!

[@ScottHolcombe-qn1cl]

Mexican heather?

[@ScottHolcombe-qn1cl]

Or maybe Phyllanthus myrtifolius

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

Thanks for commenting! I don't think it's heather. First heather is almost constantly flowering with tiny purple flowers and this tree has never had any blooms. Also heather stays very low, like this tree is now, but the guy that sold it to me says he has one that now has a two inch trunk. Regardless of what it is I'm looking forward to working with it as if develops

[@WoodcrestBonsai]

@@ScottHolcombe-qn1cl Yes, you are right. I'm really looking forward to working with this material. First, cutting, cuttings and more cuttings!