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| Hello all. I am usually lurking in the Hoya forum and am new to bonsai.
I have recently acquired two lovely little bonsai plants. One is labeled as a Ficus Microcarpa. I'll be back later asking questions as to what I should do with it but right now I am more interested in my other purchase. I have no idea what it is.
Full pic of the tree: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8729206@N02/1572743128/ Two close up pics on the leaves: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8729206@N02/1571854973/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/8729206@N02/1572743642/ |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Looks like it could be a Ficus as well, but one called Nerifolia (or willow leafed fig). I think that's most likely, but it also resembles some other things. |
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| No - it's not even in the Moracea family (Ficus), it's prolly in the Myrtaceae family & is likely Eugenia myrtifolia. Do a search to confirm that's your plant, BW. Al |
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| Wow guys, thank you so much for your ideas. It does seem to be at Eugenia myrtifolia, possibly a ‘Compacta’. I have no experience with the Myrtaceae family so had no idea what it was. :) Commonly known as a Brush Cherry. It is an evergreen that can tolerate partial shade but gets red highlights on the leaves if given enough light. Is hardy to zone 10. Most sources said that it can tolerate a range of soils but will possibly prefer something more acidic and well-draining. It does not like to dry out. And can tolerate hard pruning. Found a good article by William N. Valavanis on this plant. My first step now is to get it out of the pot it is currently in (which will probably take a hammer) plant it in something a bit more comfortable with better soil, and focus on keeping it alive over the winter. Slap me upside the head if any of this sounds wrong. Right now, my questions are: How much larger of a pot should I put this tree in? Thank you Lucy and Al for your time and your ideas on what this plant was. |
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| I've found they're more interested in having high humidity than frequent watering, but in the right soil mix, it's less of an issue. Without knowing how large the present pot is and the tree in relation to it, it's impossible to say whether a larger pot is needed. |
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| The tree is only 7 inches tall from base of soil to leaf-tip. The pot was just under 4 inches high and 2.5 inches wide. I don't know how else to describe the tree in relation to the pot without referring you to the first picture link again at the start of this thread. I had to split the pot to get the tree out without damaging the roots, it was very root bound and the soil looked like miracle grow bag mix. I planted it in a well draining mix in an good ol' fashioned clay pot that is 4.5 inches tall and 5 inches wide at the top. Is that a decent size for now? I want the little guy to grow for a bit but I will discuss that in a new thread a little later. The climate is quite dry up here and the winters are dark, very long, and very cold. Here is a link to a photo of it in its new pot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8729206@N02/1584393840/ BW |
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| Sorry - I forgot you had a pix there. The pot it's in now would have been better lower and wider, to encourage lateral (vs deep) growth for its eventual bonsai pot. Too bad you didn't ask before doing it, but wait for spring to redo it now - even indoor plants can tell seasonal changes by lighting if nothing else and it's already been stressed by the one repot. |
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| Sounds good. It was the only pot I had that wouldn't completely dwarf it. Thank you for your help Lucy. |
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| I thought I would put a link up of a ficus nerifolia just to show the difference. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Ficus Nerifolia
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