Make and Take a Bonsai Class at Bonsai Beginnings

 SATURDAY, February 24, 2024 AT 10 AM – 4 PM

Make and Take a Bonsai Class at Bonsai Beginnings

Make and take home your own little tree as you learn the history and techniques of growing beautiful Bonsai with expert Luigi Trapani. @ Noon We Will Break, Bring a picnic lunch if you like. Cost: $75 per person- includes soil, wire, and use of bonsai tools. Then purchase the bonsai tree and bonsai pot of your choice at the class; various aged trees and appropriately sized pots are available.

To Register 

Trachelospermum asiaticum: Teika Kazura

A dwarf variety of Trachelospermum asiaticum
has very small leaves with more compact growth
Started 1980

Variegated Asiatic Jasmine 

Teika Kazura
Faux Jasmine - Trachelospermum asiaticum

A dwarf star jasmine with small yellow and green variegated leaves evergreen small-growing vine with glossy leaves that are much smaller than those of the standard Trachelospermum asiaticum.

Quite similar to the false jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides, T. asiaticum produces flowers with a slightly smaller yellow heart (or cream). It has faster growth in the early years and is a bit more rustic

New growth is pinkish-bronze.

Despite its common name, Asiatic Jasmine

is not related to the true jasmines

The plant has a tight, compact growth with ovate to elliptic leaves ranging from quite tiny to around 1/4 inch in length.

at 34 years from a cutting

If unpruned it will climb or crawl on the ground, but it can be pruned to make a miniature shrub. When treated this way it makes a nice bonsai. A popular bonsai subject in Japan but not seen very often in the US.

Usage: Container, Ground-cover, Hanging Basket, Rock Garden, Wall, Topiary, Bonsai , Espalier

Drought Tolerant

USDA Zone 7-10.

strongly scented cream-colored flowers

This vine, Teika kazura, was named after the poet Fujiwara no Teika. “Teika” is a Noh Play written by Konparu Zenchiku about the rumored love affair between the poets Fujiwara no Teika and Shikishi Naishinnō, daughter of Goshirakawa, Emperor of Japan. To symbolize Teika’s clinging obsession for Princess Shikishi—even after their death—the grave of the princess placed in the middle of the stage and blanketed by a Asiatic jasmine.

String of Beads: Complete Poems of Princess Shikishi

Teika: The Life and Works of a Medieval Japanese Poet

Kazura means creeping plant, climbing plant

Trachelospermum asiaticum trained to grow on a trellis

Fowl's foot- Euphorbia

Wrinkled Leaf Spurge 

Decary's Spurge

Wrinkled Leaf Spurge

Fowls foot

Decary's Spurge

Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh)

decaryi (de-KAR-yee)

Euphorbia decaryi is a mat-forming stem succulent

 that spreads almost horizontally on the ground

An odd but intriguing plant

water-wet/almost dry rhythm

From southeast Madagascar, Euphorbia decaryi is a mat-forming stem succulent that spreads almost horizontally on the ground by means of rhizomes. This type of Euphorbia has many branches that tend to form a thick canopy. Some of horizontal branches can be removed to expose the roots. Euphorbia decaryi is a small succulent with a shrub-like development. Simple zigzag edged leaves form apical rosettes on the stems and suggest a flattened palm tree. The stems sprawl and spread via underground stolons.

Beige, bell-shaped false flowers
 (cyathia) form in spring.

They are easy to cultivate Even in winter its soil should never completely dry out. Though it tolerates a dry over-wintering, in spring it needs moisture when new roots form. These plants prefer bright light, and do not take a prime growing space. They can grow in pots or in the ground in areas with mild climate, and they can be grown indoors. Euphorbia decaryi can survive outdoors when protected from light frost and freezing temperatures.

irregular stems bearing slender wavy edged leaves

Use very well draining loose soil and plant in a wide flat pot. Wait about two weeks after re-potting to let all wounds heal then water it with warm water. Let the soil dry out between watering, very little in water when the plant is dormant. Both the stems and leaves can take on a purple color if exposed to midday sun. They don't grow as well, but they can tolerate the intense light with enough water. Give them morning and late afternoon sun and shade in the middle of the day. Water regularly but do not over-water them.

tentacle-like stems thick, crinkly, leathery leaves

- a wide flat bowl
- a very loose soil
- semi-shade
- warmth
- water-wet/almost dry rhythm.

Warning: Like all Euphorbia handle with care, the latex/sap can cause skin rash or itching.

Some of horizontal branches can be removed to expose the roots

                    

Time to prepare for that First Freeze

A reminder that it is time to prepare for the First Freeze

Dates (1981-2010)

Savannah Airport

• Average Date: November 28
• Earliest Date: November 1

Camellia sasanqua seedling

Camellia sinensis
tea flower

Goldenrod
Solidago

Goldenrod
Solidago

Camellia sasanqua seedling

Poor Man’s Tea

Sweet Plum

Chinese Sweet Plum

Chinese Bird Plum

Hedge Sageretia

Pauper’s Tea

Mock Buckthorn

Sageretia theezans

Sageretia thea

sa-jer-ET-ee-a

Chinese Bird Plum

Sageretia theezans

Sageretias are tender shrubs with small green leaves and leathery exfoliating bark that leaves a multicolored patchwork. In summer tiny flowers appear in the leaf axils of new shoots and produce large clusters of white followed by small blue stone fruit. If a Chinese Sweet Plum is pruned too often, the flower buds will be removed and it will not flower.

field grown
Chinese sweet plum
 Sageretia theezans

Sageretias are evergreen in milder climates but become deciduous in temperate zones when exposed to the cold of winter. Sageretia are very rarely seen for sale in Garden Centers. Chinese sweet plum has a tendency to climb and is difficult to control as an ornamental plant. The growth is similar to Pyracantha. There was one growing in Daffin Park, but it was removed a few years ago. Branches have spines, sharp thorn tips.

Small white flowers in spring

Chinese sweet plum is widely used for creating bonsai and is often sold as a bonsai for indoors. Sageretia theezans shoots from old wood and is trained using the “Clip and Grow" technique. Many bonsai Chinese sweet plum are imported from China where they are field grown. Sageretias are tender shrubs and will survive temperatures just below freezing but will drop all leaves. They must be protected from hard freezes where the roots could freeze. Sageretia are considered to be a cool house bonsai. If kept indoors, Sageretias need a position that is reasonably humid and should be cool at night as in an unheated room. The tree should be held at 55-60 F for 6-8 weeks around the winter solstice. Once nighttime temperatures are consistently over 55 degrees, move tree outside. Can take full sun all day but watering requirements increase dramatically. Beware of leaf burn when moving from shade to full sun. Keep the soil slightly moist, never let dry completely. Sweet Plum is usually trained with the clip and growth method. Sageretias back-bud readily and has a nice angular growth pattern.

exfoliating bark

In Savannah the Sageretia can be grown outdoors all year round with some protection on the few nights that dip below 25 F. Small flowers and fruit will develop if the tree is left unpruned.

Nicodemia is one of the old time house plants

Nicodemia
Parlor Oak
Indoor Oak

Nicodemia
Room Oak
Parlor Oak
Indoor Oak

Buddleia indica (BUD-lee-uh)

Nicodemia diversifolia

Buddleia indica:
Loganiaceae

Family: Loganiaceae

After the American botanist James Logan

Butterfly Bush......

This native to Madagascar is an evergreen shrub with alternate leaves that are reminiscent of oak leaves. Parlor Oak has light to dark brown bark laced with bright stripes. The simple yellow flowers are small and sit together in small clusters on old wood. The fruit of B. indica is a yellow-white, fleshy berry. Nicodemia is one of the old time house plants that was used extensively from the 1920's to 1940's and is receiving serious interest by tropical bonsai enthusiasts. In the summer it should be kept outdoors. In winter, the plant can stay in a cool unheated room.

The fruit of B. indica is a yellow-white, fleshy berry

Once the surface of the soil is slightly dry, the soil should be watered. When the plant is in the winter cold, it should be watered less. Keep the soil barely moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. Avoid using cold water! It can shock tender roots. Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering. Roots need oxygen to breathe: do not allow plants to sit in a tray filled with water. This will only promote disease. Broom shape and the upright forms can be obtained by selective pruning. The cascade form can be created by wiring or clamps. Parlor Oak can be propagated by cuttings.

simple yellow flowers are small and sit together

in small clusters on old wood.

Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar munching on a Serissa

Caterpie munching on a Serissa

Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar is green with eyespots.

Serissa are a popular bonsai subject

Serissa grow best in high light and thrive in sunny, warm locations. Better lighting conditions will result in more frequent flowering. Serissa does well in partial shade. Best results are from plants that have sun in the mornings and shade in the afternoons. Expect any Serissa to drop its leaves when temperatures fall to near freezing.

Among the most popular of the Chinese tropical plants, the wild Serissa, also known as “Tree of a Thousand Stars” is known for thousands of small white flowers, and characteristic raised roots. Most Serissa Imports are the Thousand Stars.

USDA Zones 7 - 11

Serissa as a Bonsai, trunk in dragon shape, ca. 16 years.

The dragon is a symbol of happiness in Buddhism, the shape of a dragon is often found in the design of bonsai.

A Japanese Boxthorn (Serissa japonica) bonsai on display at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the United States National Arboretum.

According to the tree's display placard, it has been in training since 1951. It was donated by Shu-ying Lui.

Dwarf Asiatic Jasmine blooms!

Trachelospermum asiaticum minima

(tray-key-low-SPER-mum)    (a-see-AT-ee-kum)

blooms are rare

A dwarf star jasmine with small yellow and green variegated leaves evergreen small-growing vine with glossy leaves that are much smaller than those of the standard Trachelospermum asiaticum.

May 13, 2017

Grown from a cutting in 1980

‎September ‎23, ‎2008

The plant has a tight, compact growth with ovate to elliptic leaves ranging from quite tiny to around 1/4 inch in length.

If unpruned it will climb or crawl on the ground, but it can be pruned to make a miniature shrub. When treated this way it makes a nice bonsai. A popular bonsai subject in Japan but not seen very often in the US.

in 2008

Usage: Container, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Rock Garden, Wall, Topiary, Bonsai, Espalier

Drought Tolerant

USDA Zone 7-10.

New growth is pinkish-bronze.

Red winter foliage

Despite its common name, Asiatic Jasmine
 is not  related to the true jasmines.

Talinum paniculatum

Commonly known as:

• Old Ladies' Hatpin
• Pink baby-breath
• Jewels of Opar

Jewels of Opar do very well in containers indoors in a sunny window

Small pinkish-red flowers on wiry stems

 

• Easy care succulent from the Southwest   
• Well suited for indoors with adequate bright light.
• A tender perennial with wiry flower stalks topped by a spray of bright pink flowers and ruby-like seedpods. 
• Has a tuberous Ginseng-like root, 
• Drought tolerant. Likes a well drained soil. No soggy or flooded soils.
• Chronic over watering can kill the plant, let the soil dry.
•  Fertilize at one-third strength during the growing season.

In this novel Tarzan returns to Opar, a lost colony of fabled Atlantis

Tropical Mimosa: Calliandra surinamensis

Bright pink powder-puff flowers

Calliandra surinamensis

Surinam Powder Puff

Pink Powder Puff

Surinamese Stickpea

Tropical Mimosa

 Pink tassel flower

• Keep in a sunny location.
• Leaves fold up at dark. Protect from cold!
• Check soil moisture level daily But only water when necessary. 
• Keep the soil evenly moist. Never allow soil to dry out.
• Allow shoots to extend 3 or 4 nodes, then prune back to 1 or 2 leaves to maintain shape 
• Re-potting should only be done when the nights are warm. 
• Leaves fold up at night or in dim light.
• Use a well draining bonsai soil
• Replenish the soils supply of nutrients periodically during warm weather.
• A great plant for beginners.

Propagation is easiest from seed

Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds direct sow immediately. Flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Surinam powder puff has dense foliage and is a fast grower. A flat pod, first green later brown, contains 5 - 6 seeds; it curls open to release the brown seeds.

collect seeds direct sow immediately

The puffball blooms attract honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

This plant is cultivated for its ornamental purposes; it can also be used for bonsai. Much energy is spent  in the production of flowers and fruit; after flowering don't let the seeds mature if trained as a bonsai. Calliandra is a cold sensitive plant and must be protected from frost and freezing.

Mini forest: Calliandra surinamensis

 Calliandra surinamensis is a low branching evergreen tropical shrub that is named after Surinam, a country in Northeastern South America. The plant usually has branched or multiple trunks and grows to a height of about 15 feet. Left unpruned it grows long thin branches that eventually droop down onto the ground, the bees love it. The flowers appear on and off all year - more during warm weather. This tree is an excellent container plant for the cooler climates where it must be protected from frost and freeze. The puffball blooms attract honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The leaves close overnight. Exposure to the sun encourages flowering. From spring to autumn growth is intense and it uses a lot of water. In winter water consumption is moderate. Calliandra does not like soggy soils.

Bud opens....

Fertilize with nitrogen - phosphorus - potassium and micro-nutrients for plant health. Fertilizers rich in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) encourage flowers and fruiting while nitrogen (N) encourages leaf growth.

long thin branches that eventually droop down onto the ground