AusBonsai

i live in central Queensland and would like to know which type of bonsai will grow in this climate and which one's will not.

I would imagine figs to be a good place to start.

Look for trees that naturally grow in your area for starters. If it doesn't normal grow in your area it will struggle to grow as a bonsai. There are exceptions to this but that a starting point.

Josh.

It would depend how much you can water - some species may survive out there if you can keep the water up. Fig, bougy, chinese elm, swampy and clero would be a good starting point I think

contact Capricorn Region Bonsai Society, Rockhampton 49262893. more info on the wiki page.

Josh wrote:Look for trees that naturally grow in your area for starters. If it doesn't normal grow in your area it will struggle to grow as a bonsai. There are exceptions to this but that a starting point.

Josh.

Yeah, I agree, the best advice is to go to a large local nursery and find out what species do best in your area, say for example if you forget to water for a few days and so on. Figs are obvious choices, but I would think there would be a lot your local nurseryman can suggest to spice up the variety of options. In other words, ask them what species are very hardy and grow well in your area, preferably native.

Hi,

I too live in CQ and have been doing the nursery rounds since getting here. Have been looking to see what is thriving and what is not... I have also been checking out the plants that people are growing in their gardens and what is growing along the roads in the region. I have noticed some various prunus species growing around the place.
Some good choices that i have made so far are with... Liquidambar (as a substitue for the common maples used), Chinese Elm, Zelkova, Ficus, Buxus, Privet, Crepe Myrtle, Bougies. I also have a couple of cotoneasters that are growing quite nicely too. Azaleas i have are: Kirin, Honeybunch, Dogwood Red, and Hatsugiri. Kirin does not like being in full sun though.
All of the above mentioned are very healthy...

Obviously these are just some species that are growing well for me... I would be interested in attending the Capricorn Club meet and seeing what others are growing well and what hasn't worked out... Might pay to play it safe and learn from others misfortunes in our climate.

Regards,

Gav

I have heard that JBP shdou do well there too.
About the only pine worth trying

Ken

Perhaps you should start with a tree that is native to the area, either an Aussie plant or trees that grow strongly in Queensland. However you should be able to grow any tree (or plant for that matter) in a controlled setting, but that could possibility be expensive depending on what the weather is like in your part of Queensland but because I'm from Melbourne I'm not really sure how you'd go able doing that.

How about mangoes, I have successfully planted the seeds from shop bought mangoes, and there is a delightful Youtube series about growing them. Mind you other than in warmer months mine will have to live mainly indoors where they have grown ok, so far. I live in Armidale on the Northern Tablelands, and have also grown avocadoes from seed too, nearly lost it when the temps got colder, but I revived it, and now in a sunny spot with the mangoes inside. But in warm Qld, you should not have any trouble so long as you keep them moist in rainforest soil textures, and out of the midday sun.