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Charles Bevan
Join Date: Apr-2003
Location: Florida
Country: United States
Posts: 2,250
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Divi Divi
This is a species that has not yet made its mark in the bonsai community. The divi divi is a tropical that does not respond well to the cold (no less than about 60 degrees or it will drop its leaves). Its branches are brittle, and a trunk takes a long time to grow. Three factors, which keep it contrived in the "unpopuler" species list.
The tree looks much like a texas ebony (now known as ebanosis) regarding leaf style and bark texture, only divi divi leaves are about half of the size of ebanosis leaves.
I believe that it was Jim Moody, who first introduced the divi divi into the United States. I do not know how long ago this happened, but it seems like Jim Smith has been growing them for about 4-5 years (maybe less).
A unique species always seems to spark my interest, so I decided to get one. IMO, this is the best divi divi that Jim Smith had for sale.
Here is how it turned out after the first styling. The wispy trunk of the divi divi lends itself well to the bunjin (literati) style. I was only able to wire one small branch (the back branch); the others were to brittle.
I would be interested to hear comments as well as pot ideas. I am planning on using a shallow oval pot, but there may be a better option that I am forgetting.
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"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge
Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl
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