It grows from a chunk of coral rock,

it sits in a dish, no soil.

Because I have never cultivated it, shaped it,

I hesitate to term it much of a bonsai.

I water the plant when its roots dry;

just pour some water into the saucer.

I will take a picture or two soon.

I don't know if this plant if of any interest for discussion, however, I do know its history.

Perhaps that -might- make it of some slight interest (maybe!).

I don't know plants at all; I registered here

to speak of this oddity, maybe learn more.

Origin: In 1969 it was given as a birthday gift to a friend of mine.

The tree was only about a foot tall at that time,

a natural growth incorporated into a gnarled chunk of coral rock

that wasfound outdoors and brought inside.

Ralph kept the tree--rock-based--in a large saucer, as I still do.

Ralph had the tree from 1969, until his death in 1982

by which time the tree was about 2 feet tall.

It came to my home then, at the end of 1982.

Now I've had the tree (still in its rock, no soil, little care) for 25 years longer.

Have never pruned, it or done more than an annual washing-out of the root bundle, which is contained by the saucer.

If the leaves begin to yellow, I give the watering can bit of fertilizer, just a bit, one application, maybe every six months.

Today the shefflera is about five feet tall and 38 years old.

Had it had been outdoors in soil, surely--it would have grown big and be long-gone today, most likely.

Is this sort of stunted tree of any general interest to the group?

Clearly, Ralphs rock-shefflera will outlive me too.

I don't suppose it's in any way really remarkable, the tree,

except that it takes so little care, and it has a past,

and nothing ever seems to bother it much.

It just carries on, seemingly forever,

and what will become of it after I die?

I had better start thinking

to choose the next keeper,right!

Thanks for any thoughts or comments.

I'll get photos up soon.