Indian hawthorn as bonsai

[Cajunrider]

I have two Indian hawthorn medium size bushes that will be replaced by azaleas per the house boss. Are they worth pursuing as bonsai? They do have interesting looking trunks.

 

[August44]

I really like Hawthorn and hear they air-layer easily also. Pictures pls

 

[Cajunrider]

I really like Hawthorn and hear they air-layer easily also. Pictures pls

I will take pictures tonight.

 

[Ohmy222]

Indian Hawthorn is a bush and not to be confused with the tree Hawthorn. I have some Indian Hawthorns in front of my house. I won't say they can't be used as bonsai but I wouldn't try unless you have one that has great potential. The ones I have are extremely slow growing. I have never pruned them even though I have to prune all my other bushes. Also have a sprinkler system so they are plenty watered. They just stay they same size. Convenient but I couldn't imagine how slow they would grow in a container.

 

[Cajunrider]

Indian Hawthorn is a bush and not to be confused with the tree Hawthorn. I have some Indian Hawthorns in front of my house. I won't say they can't be used as bonsai but I wouldn't try unless you have one that has great potential. The ones I have are extremely slow growing. I have never pruned them even though I have to prune all my other bushes. Also have a sprinkler system so they are plenty watered. They just stay they same size. Convenient but I couldn't imagine how slow they would grow in a container.

I know it is a bush that actually grows pretty quick to its mature size of about 30” tall then just slow it’s growth to a crawl. One of the bushes I have have interesting trunks hence the question. I’m just looking for a fun bonsai I can play with but if they are too much trouble I would rather not.

 

[Cajunrider]

I will take pictures tonight.

I replaced them with azaleas last night but forgot to take pictures.

 

[ShadyStump]

I say go for it, but don't forget the the pics next time. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Cajunrider]

Here are the pictures. They just finished flowering so now is the time to prune. Will this back bud easily?

 

[August44]

Hard for me to tell what I'm even looking at there c-rider. Get it off the ground on a higher stand with a decent back drop for better pictures. It looks like it needs serious whacking to me. Why don't I see thorns?

 

[Cajunrider]

The first one has a tangled mess of roots that folded over one another. Once I got it sorted I realized too much of the root mass has been removed to support the foliage above so off I went. The shrub was destined for the scrap heap so it is a bonus if it lives. I left some of the gangly top branches but if the thing back-buds, those branches soon will be cut back.

 

[Firstflush]

Where I live rhaphiolepis are everywhere e.g. homes, business landscape, park hedges. Keep us updated.
Wonderful pink or white spring flowers.

 

[Cajunrider]

Plant #2 done with just repot in shallow grow box and minimum root pruning. Working on this gave me the understanding why this plant stays small. Everywhere there is a flower it forms 5 or 6 branches and crowd itself out. With large number of branches holy Batman reverse taper!

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Sounds hardy........looks vengeful.

 

[maria kapra]

Indian Hawthorn is one my favorite as shohin material. They flower every year and berries after...

 

[Cajunrider]

Indian Hawthorn is one my favorite as shohin material. They flower every year and berries after...View attachment 369338View attachment 369341

That is beautiful!

 

[Cajunrider]

Where I live rhaphiolepis are everywhere e.g. homes, business landscape, park hedges. Keep us updated.
Wonderful pink or white spring flowers.

Yep. Rhaphiolepis indica is everywhere here too. I am just having fun with these.

 

[Cajunrider]

I separated the 3 Rhapiolepis indica in that bush. It was like operating on a conjoined triplet. Here they are as separated trees. All shohin size.
PS: I incorrectly posted one earlier as pyracantha. It is not.