AusBonsai

Hi all
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Ziera smithii as Bonsai.
I have one, according to the tag it was started in 2005. I purchased it ready made about 8 months ago and have been maintaining it since. It flowered Sep-Oct and now has seed pods forming. It hasn't been re-potted since I got it.
Anyone know the best time for re-potting and how it responds to a root prune? Any other information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Jen

Hey Jen,

That is a sweet little one. I dont have any experience with Ziera so hopefully someone who has will pipe up with more specific info. In general, all my small natives are repotted straight after flowering, or during flowering if I remove the blooms. Slip from the pot, remove any coiling roots from the outside edges of the root ball then reduce by about 25%, I go fairly softly on most natives roots unless its a species I know can handle more.

I would tip prune & do any shape pruning at the same time as repotting. Keep well watered at all times until growth is starting to come back in then back to your normal routine for it.

Matt

Hi Jen,

That looks more like a Zieria prostrata to me.

Joel

Thanks Matt I will give your suggestions a try.
And I think you are right Joel, I just did a google search of Zieria prostrata and it looks much more like it.
Thanks for your feed back guys!

Hey Jen

You will be fine, keep a record of when you did it for future refence and share how it all goes with us here.

I for one am always on the look out for more natives to add to my benches and especially the smaller growing plants. Every growers input adds that little bit more to the ever growing information bank that this place is becoming. Also contact the Australian plants as bonsai group and they may be able to help with more information. They have a huge listing of plants and care/growing needs for them, all of which has come from the humble home grower who just liked something enough to try it and shared there experiences over time.

Matt