My friend has a smal blueberry bush that I think would work. I would say no on the raspberry. No clue on the others. Try a chinese sweet plum or kumquat.

Thanks! I thought I'd heard of blueberry bonsais.

I've heard of successful Mango and Guava Bonsai's, (I'm sure some images will come up if you make a search on Google) and I think I remember hearing someone saying something about a certain strain of blueberry being Bonsai capable. As far as the Kiwi I'm pretty sure it cant be done. I myself had looked into Raspberry and strawberry as candidates for bonsai a while back, but both are not doable. They may sustain growth on a limb for a year or two but always get random die back, which is why the bushes grown always seem tangled and wild (impossible to train). Grape is a good choice though if you are looking for something similar, I've even heard of some specimens being 150+ years old. Hope this helps.

-Mike

Thanks Mike- That's very helpful advice. I looked on Google and found pictures for both, but only a few. This makes me think that it's not always successful- any feedback?

P.S. Does anybody know if a loquat (Japanese Plum) can be a bonsai?

Here are some pics of my Chinese Sweet Plum tree
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Sure Japanese plum can be done, in fact they are one of the main staples of famous flowering bonsai subjects in Japan, again look on Google and see what comes up. I also believe that lack of pictures of some types of Bonsai is mainly due to the fact of them being more uncommon and less 'documented' online, which can but doesn't necessarily mean they don't have great Bonsai potential.

Thanks Mike!

I've seen guava bonsai done very successfully in the U.S. Virgin Islands, so long as you can keep it moist in Texas summers!

Mango, I think, would never reduce leaf size and growth habit to be worthwhile.

Japanese plum (prunus mume) is spectacular, but totally different from loquat (eribotrya japonica). Loquat would, like mango, be hard to reduce to bonsai proportions, but makes a nice tub plant.

Has anyone tried jujube (zizyphus jujube) or persimmon?

Jim

Thanks for the clarification jimshy, all the information is very helpful.

Has anyone tried date palms? In my climate, zone 6, I might be hard pressed to grow a full sized plant.
Dan

I would say no to the palm. They just don't grow branches really and wouldn't look quite right.

jimshy, Persimmon is very doable in fact I remember reading a great article on them in a Bonsai Today Magazine issue. Had a picture of a striking one dormant and leafless on the cover as well, cant remember the issue number though.

P.S. sorry for the reply months after you asked.