Training For Conocarpus Erectus

oompaul

Hi, I've been involved with bonsai for quite a while now, but received a nice little buttonwood for Christmas, which I have little experience with. Although it seems well rooted in the plastic pot it came in, and I have it under lights in my basement which seem to be suiting it, (temp. ~ 86-92oF daytime, mid to high 60's at night), I'd like some guidance on reducing the leaf size as well as pruning to encourage foilage to break closer to the trunk. I've read all I can find on the net, but was hoping someone could give me a detailed rundown on what to try and when to attempt it.
Thanks for any help you can give. Tried to send a pic, but apparently 151kb is too large, (newbie), sorry.

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Anthony B.

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oompaul

Here's a file that should fit...ANY help with this tree would be much appreciated...I realize the deadwood will need some carving, but I think I'll leave that for summer..

Attached Images

copy of 1-5-04 with a few leaves cut.jpg (53.8 KB, 311 views)

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Anthony B.

TreeBay

I lost a very nice one under similar conditions, so in retrospect, I would be very careful to keep it warm enough.

First year, it went into deciduous mode and recovered okay. Second year was permanent dormancy. There was also a scale infestation that did not help things.

I would run the lights at night, simply to keep the temperature up. During the day can be the plants' night.

Also I'd concentrate on maintenance and health for the first couple years, over leaf reduction and styling or anything else!

Good luck!

Matt

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Bart Thomas(deceased)

Couldn't agree with you more! There's a reason that not many northern nurseries that sell tropicals do not have buttonwoods, and that is the difficulty of getting the tree to survive, let alone flourish.

bnsaijim

One suggestion I have that even I do here is place them on a propagation mat.

Do everything you can to maximize light, humidity and warmth.

I'd make sure you only water with warm water.

Small leaves and back budding can be accomplished by defoliation however this might be risky in colder climates. Persistent tip pinching is probably safer. Also, I'd ensure heavy fertilization and watering.

Leaves will grow in smaller also over time in a pot.

Also, not sure if this helps but it certainly does not seem to hurt, remove the "flowers" - those strange fuzzy balls. You want energy going in to the plant not reproduction...

Jim Stone
TX

oompaul

Thanks for all the good suggestions...I didn't realize it would be that much of a challange just keeping this little one alive up here! I will hopefully be moving down to FL in the next year or so...so if I can keep it going till then, it should like it a lot better in Central FL.

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Anthony B.

pdbbonsai

I am also a yankee who dived into the buttonwood, on my own accord tho. I posted it some time ago and will update the thread this weekend with new photos etc.

OOMP....can you show some other sides and angles of your Bwood? Would love to see it to give us a better view of what you got there. Still looks like a wonderful workable tree.

Here is the link....BTW Jim, you are most helpful in your suggestions here and at the time with my thread...thanks.


My Buttonwood thread

Paul

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pdbbonsai

BTW...My buttonwood is still thriving (knock on wood) in my zone 3/4......Indoors from late Sept til temps at nite are well into the forties.....

Paul

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pdbbonsai

Anthony sent me some pictures of his buttonwood. I was able to get them compress to post here. There are four different shots.


Here is nr 1

Attached Images

copy of my buttonwood trunk and leaf detail.jpg (37.3 KB, 215 views)

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It is essential to experience all the times and moods of one good place. (Thomas Merton)

BonsaiTalk is one good place. (me)