Tropical Bonsai Trees for Indoors

[Dave]

Tropical and Semitropical species for Indoor Bonsai

Certain tropical and semitropical species are cultivated indoors as so-called "Indoor bonsai." The trees are often not designed in a matter befitting "true bonsai" according to the purist but are in fact a lot more popular than Classical bonsai. In cold climates, Indoor Bonsai represent a very attractive form of houseplant. Many tropical plants can be converted to a bonsai-like style. Some plants, however, are tougher and more likely to survive under un-experienced hands. These plant have in common

• resistance to drought
• low light requirement
• the ablity to sprout on old wood, thus allowing for hard pruning, and
• good resistance to pests.

A few examples:

1. Schefflera arboricola (Umbrella Plant): this tropical shrub with attractive star-shaped leaves produces lots of aerial roots in the wild. Indoor, it can be pruned to take a tree-like silhouette. Trunk diameter will not increase unless there are lots of branches, so the beginner should buy a large, mature plant and prune it hard and low. Remember, fertilize (lots of nitrogen) and water, wait for new growth (a month), prune, wait for new leaves (about a month, much more on very old wood), then repot/trim roots. Use a coarse, well drain soil (cactus soil). For lots of pictures, see Fuku Bonsai

1. Dracaena (Dragon Tree): palm-like desert plant, surprisingly shade and drought-resitant. Big, interesting-looking roots. Grows slowly.

1. Crassula (Jade Tree): desert shrub with fleshy leaves, very resistant to drought. Adopts a tree-like silhouette naturally. Important to move outdoors in full sunshine during summer, fertilize only outdoors for a nice growth shape. In the winter, move indoor, keep dry (water once every 4-6 weeks), do not fertilize. Sandy soil (cactus soil). Fertilizing in low light will cause long, soft shoots that will bend down. Could be interesting for cascade-like styling. Cuttings will root very easily, even if very large; first, cut most leaves about 1 week before, let the scars dry, water well 24 hr before, then cut. Many pictures in the web (try Google).
2. Ficus