Another photo.

I may be completely wrong, but at first glance, it looks like a lipstick plant which is actually a hanging plant. Others will soon chime in to confirm or correct the id.

Nancy

Bryan,

I would think that bonsai plants are usually selected for their central-trunkedness, if you will.

Right, right, but my plan is to separate all these cuttings (there are many in there) and plant them as individuals. They look like they will come apart very easily.

Then, with some heavy pruning, I think the stems will harden. Well, that, actually I'm unsure of. But like I said before they feel a lot like Hedera Ivy so I think there's a good chance they will.

Hi,

If this is a Lipstick plant (which it may well be), it may harden as you suggest but I doubt its stems will thicken up as a bonsai might. I don't think that's the growth habit of this plant, sorry. Also I think single stems of this will look spindly & sad, that's my two cents. You did ask.

May I suggest a jade plant? It's an oldie but a goodie and perfect for practicing your skills on. The limbs you remove can be rooted to produce more plants to practice on until you perfect your technique!

Nancy

Thanks all. I've got a bunch of young jades, as well as several other more obvious bonsai candidates: ficus, schefflera, hedera ivy, olive, Australian mint bush (although the one I have did not respond well at all to root pruning and seems to have collapsed) and a juniper.

The little guy in question was just a cheap hardware store pickup that I thought might have potential. If not, it's not a big deal at all. Will still make an interesting addition to my collection.

Cheers.

Good luck and have fun!

Nancy

This looks like a lipstick (Aeschynanthus) to me. I grow several varieties and this is likely a variety of A. radicans. Even with pruning and time their stems always remain quite thin. They are tropical vining epiphytes and cannot easily support their weight vertically. They are nice plants, especially when in bloom. Keep in mind that they can become rather large though.

Mark