Shohin Bonsai Suggestions

vanillalotus

I'm new to bonsai and am thinking of starting a shohin bonsai. What species would be good for shonin and survive the texas heat? Are there any flowering trees/shrubs that would be good like azaleas or quince?

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mike108

I have a mame thats a pomegrante its flowering and gives fruit. You should consider this you may consider a quince I would not really recommend an azalea for a beginner to picky leave this species for your 3rd or 4th year in bonsai . Its really up to you what to grow if you get some protection from the sun like shade cloth youll be able to grow almost anything.

Mike

vanillalotus

How about bougainvillea? Thank you for the suggestions i never thought of pomegranate.

RedPine

Bougie is a fine choice. This link may help you some, or at least give you another place to shop at. http://www.wimberley-tx.com/~bonsaijg/

Terry W

You might want to start with trees which are known to take the Texas heat such Chinese elm, Texas cedar elm or yaupon holly. All can become fine shohin bonsai. Pomegranate are also good. Look for 'Emperor'. It has small leaves and fruit. Satsuki azaleas should do o.k. in S.A. Look for ones with small flowers. Proportions are all important in shohin bonsai. A consideration with quince is leaf burn. The ones I've worked with tend to burn in our Texas summer heat.

Terry

vanillalotus

I went to the local garden center and bought a dwarf weeping crape myrtle. I did not buy it intentionally on making it into bonsai but am pondering if that would work also? There were bougainvillea there also that i will have to look at more closely the next time i go there. There were no pomegrante or cedar elm, but there was holly.