Cotoneaster Microphyllus

paulsai

Hello,

I am growing two Cotoneasters Microphyllus indoors, prepping them for cascade bonsai in a couple of years.

I'm growing them in 90% akadama, 10% pine bark.

Other than the damn spider mites, they seem to be quite healthy. (A blast with the hose seems to take care of that problem quite easily--they haven't come back yet). Their leaves are beautiful glossy green.

Any advice, wisdom, or suggestions on dealing with these plants? Specifically can/should I defoliate? Dry or moist soil? General tips for cotoneaster?

Thanks!
~Paul
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subquestion: Im living in NYC, and have my plants on a wireframe shelf in front of a south facing window. My room is on the cold side. It seems that I can go approx. a week between waterings before the soil dries.... is this common for other indoor growers in my area?

Advertisement

paulsai

*Bump*

No one else loves these beautiful plants?

AndyWilson

Defoliating is generally just for ramification, i would grow them out until you have the trunk and main branch structure you want and then only worry about fine development. I dont defoliate mine at all as i dont see the need for it personally.

Its hard to say without a pic though, any chance of that? i mean what stage are they? seedlings, saplings young trees?

Give us some measurements and then people will respond a bit better once they have a clearer pic in mind.

And yup i also love em.

Candy_J_Shirey

Yes. Cotoneaster microphyllus is a beautiful species and quite appropriate for bonsai. The variety used in the following compositions is 'Thymifolius'

I do not grow them indoors.

paulsai

I'm talking about 1-2 year old plants here, each about a 12-14" spread. Nothing I want to show off to you guys yet!

But, as I am grooming them for cascade in a few years, I appreciate the input.

They are evergreen, correct?

ps-- I'd swear I've seen those pics before, Candy... which artist is that?

Candy_J_Shirey

You probably saw them here.

Candy_J_Shirey

My 'thymofolius' are not evergreen. They are now dormant in a cool greenhouse and have dropped their leaves.

Ang3lFir3

you are probably remembering this particular tree : http://artofbonsai.org/galleries/im...l_ruin_lenz.jpg

these are almost as nice... tho the trees themselves are just trees its the other stuff that distracts you and makes them insteresting.... etc...

I'd guess they are Nick Lenz's work .... or a facsimile......

AndyWilson

I believe Shirley and Nick worked on some of those, if memory serves correctly i believe Shirley has had the fortune to work with Nick Lenz for quite some time, as well as Guy Guidry.