Page 1 of 1

Podocarpus for Bonsai

Posted: January 6th, 2009, 5:23 pm
by PeterW
Not exactly a common species for bonsai but i think they have a lot of potential for us. The first one is a Podocarpus Macrophyllus that i have had for 12 months. It has been chopped and potted in a grow box and left to fend for itself (well almost). They seem to be very hardy and strike easily from cuttings. I went to Hervey Bay today for work and as usual, i cant resist, if i see a nursery that could possibly have anything suitable i stop in and take a look. There was a small section of sticks in pots that were claimed to be Bonsai. (The even had a PJ Fig that looked remarkably like a Morten Bay fig) I went through to the rest of the nursery and tucked away out of view from the rest of the plants i found 3 Podocarpus Totara. They are native to New Zealand and grow into a very big tree. They have the same beauitiful textured bark and trunk as the Macrophyllus. The leaf is quite a bit courser and smaller. The get a nice little red seed pod. I have been looking casually for a twin trunk possibility for so long now i cant remember when i started to look. One of them i wasnt interested in but the other two i am sure i will be able to something with them over time. They were $25 each! When i got a staff member to come and assist me, she took one look at them ad said....Oh dear...they are really old stock....if you want them you can have them for $15 each.
Mmmmm....ok i'll take em. I havent even had a good look at them yet but i am sure there is a small twin trunk tree in there in at least one of them!
Regards
Peter

Re: Podocarpus for Bonsai

Posted: January 8th, 2009, 10:15 pm
by Steven
I really like the nebari on the first one Peter! Please keep us updated as they progress.
I have a couple of Podocarpus at my office. One in the ground around 7 feet tall being trained as informal upright, the other full cascade in a pot ready to plant next to my waterfall. They are fun to work on and very responsive to training.
S.

Re: Podocarpus for Bonsai

Posted: January 9th, 2009, 6:21 am
by PeterW
What type of Podocarpus are they Steven?
Peter

Re: Podocarpus for Bonsai

Posted: January 9th, 2009, 1:05 pm
by Steven
Hi Peter,

Not sure what they are... perhaps you could tell me...
1.jpg
3.jpg
Regards,
Steven

Re: Podocarpus for Bonsai

Posted: January 9th, 2009, 2:17 pm
by PeterW
They look lthe Macrophyllus to me Steven. Do they get a blueish seed pod?
Peter