Some Questions About Mame

nathan

I have been involved with bonsai for almost a year now. I have several trees doing quite well but no mame. I have been looking at the mame trees quite a lot lately and am very interested in growing one but i have a few questioins.

1.) On average how often do they need to be watered in the summer? (I live in central Illinois)

2.) What plants are absolutely not suited for mame?

3.) which plants make exceptionally hardy mame?

4.) Are there any things different from regulary bonsai that is totally different in mame? (Soil, fertilizing etc)

5.) any suggestions for a starter mame? (species, collect/nursery stock, etc)

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-nathan

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dbz12fan

1.) On average how often do they need to be watered in the summer? (I live in central Illinois) Several times a day

2.) What plants are absolutely not suited for mame? Innumerable list. Ask what plants are suited.

3.) which plants make exceptionally hardy mame? not sure what that means

4.) Are there any things different from regulary bonsai that is totally different in mame? (Soil, fertilizing etc) do everything in smaller doeses. water more. watch more cafefully

5.) any suggestions for a starter mame? (species, collect/nursery stock, etc) juniper, ficus nerifolia/salicifolia

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"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

nathan

for the question that did not make sense i kind of ask twice. With my last question.

3.) which plants make exceptionally hardy mame?

5.) any suggestions for a starter mame?

So with the constant watering is it virtually impossible to keep a mame alive if you work? Surely people who work 40 or more hours a week have found a way to maintain a mame.

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-nathan

acousticco

Hi Nathan

I have two mame Azalea and a very small hinoki cypress (just a stick in a pot really) that made it through a hot Calgary summer without drying out. I just watered them in the early morning and in the afternoon, after work. I think the Azalea did so well because they’re more suited for shade, so they didn’t have the sun relentlessly beating on them and evaporating all of their water. That might be a consideration when choosing a species.

I’ve read about keeping mame bonsai (pot and all) in larger containers of damp sand to help keep moisture levels up. Adding a little more organic material to your soil mix would probably also help (someone with some more experience with soils might be able to give you some better advise on this).

As for hardy species to start with, I’d recommend just trying some trees that are native to your area (something I should have done), that have the characteristics you’re looking for, (small leaves, fine branches etc.). Cotoneaster comes to mind….

I hope this helps,

Cody

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acoustic company gardens

dbz12fan

Nathan, I reccomend using a succulent plant that can live without much water. Portulacaria is a good one. I know from experience that you can grow those inside quite easily.

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"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

nathan

I like the suggestion of a shade/part sun plant or a succulent. I suppose i need to just give it a try and see what happens. If i fail it wouldn't be the first tree i have killed.

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-nathan

Mittar

I had an Idea that might work that I came up with when cutting off my air layers.

How about putting a layer of long fiber moss in the bottom of the mame pot. It would help retain moisture but shouldn't impede drainage too much.

Anyone have any reason why this might not work?

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Knees in the breeze.

TreeBay

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nathan
3.) which plants make exceptionally hardy mame?

Plants with intensive root systems and small foliage are especially well suited to mame - winter hardiness is another issue.

Boxwood naturally has a finely branched root system, azalea too, so a Kingsville boxwood would be a great choice for a miniature. "Nana" or dwarf varieties of many common bonsai plants are suitable, too.

If you go to http://www.mini-bonsai.com you will see that a lot of different species can be used (see their english page) Soil choice is very important. Putting your plants with their pots partially buried in moist sand can be helpful in increasing humidity and moderating water requirements. You could still find yourself needing to water at least once and possibly twice a day on the hottest summer days in your area.

Regards,

Matt

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nathan

Thanks again for more advice and the reference. Once or twice a day is exactly what im shooting for. So I will have to try some of the ideas everyone has thrown out and see if i can get one going that only requires that much watering.

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-nathan