Bucida Spinosa

[markyscott]

Here's an old Bucida Spinosa. I acquired it some time ago from another bonsai grower in Corpus Christi. Bucida Spinosa is native to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. For those of you who aren't familiar with this species, it's a very nice one for bonsai. It grows best in full sun and does not like to be dried out - it'll drop its leaves in response to droughting. Its natural growth habit is interesting - foliage is sent horizontal from a naturally occuring zig-zag branch pattern sent from alternating branchlets. I keep it in a greenhouse during the coldest months of winter where it goes dormant. In the heat of summer it grows rapidly, putting on long extensions during the heat of the summer. Time for some summer work on this one.

Front:


Back:


Scott

 

[markyscott]

I knew this tree was headed for a major cut back, so I let it grow wild and get strong - a strong tree responds really well to a hard cut back. This one had some uncomfortable branches growing against the overall left flow of the main trunk line - these had to go.





I removed quite a lot of foliage and cut off some large branches. Goodbye:



Scott

 

[markyscott]

I then wired remaining branches out completely.



Scott

 

[RickMartin]

Very nice. Im not really fimilar with the tree but i like what you have done.

Rick

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Your wife out of town? I can get away with working in the living room, never tried taking over the kitchen! Looks good!

 

[PiñonJ]

Cool tree! It might look good with a tropical flat-top style, the way it's sort of starting to look in the first pic of post #2.

 

[markyscott]

Your wife out of town? I can get away with working in the living room, never tried taking over the kitchen! Looks good!

LOL! I wait until she ducks out for an errand and then I work VERY quickly!

Actually, she's very supportive - it all goes back to encouraging your spouse to develop an interest in her own expensive hobby.

Thanks Brian!

 

[markyscott]

Very nice. Im not really fimilar with the tree but i like what you have done.

Rick

This is a great tree for our area, Rick. You'll have to give it some winter protection as it is a true tropical and does not tolerate cold very well. But in the summer, they really come to life with strong growth and yellow-green flowers. It's commonly known as the Bahama Black Olive or simply Black Olive. I've no idea why they call it an olive - it's not related and bears no fruit that I'm aware of. If you seen an old one with fissured bark like this one, be sure and pick it up. It takes a long time to develop the fissured bark - a dead give away for age. The branches can be developed rapidly as it grows so much in the long South Texas summers.

Scott

 

[RickMartin]

Ill look for one at the nursery this weekend.

Rick

 

[markyscott]

Summer of wild growth.


Scott

 

[markyscott]

Pruning for branch structure - maintain a branch leader and side branches.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

This species will send strong vertical shoots. If you let them go, they'll take over and the rest of the tree will weaken. I let these go too long.


Scott

 

[markyscott]

After cut back on July 29



Scott

 

[markyscott]

The tree has responded great - exploding with new growth today.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

It's sent a lot of flower buds too. It's been about 2 weeks since the cut back - I imagine it will be in flower in two more. That's good to know - cut back hard about 4 weeks before the show to give yourself a chance for flowering in exhibition. Unfortunately, that'll be 3 weeks before the fall show here in Houston, so peak flower will probably miss the show. Too bad.

 

[markyscott]

Some adjustments. I have a bit more wiring to go, but it's close to the image I'm looking for.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

Done for now.



Branch structure


Scott

 

[namnhi]

Done for now.

View attachment 156756

Branch structure
View attachment 156757

Scott

Very nice Scott.

 

[markyscott]

Very nice Scott.

Thank you namnhi

 

[MrBeto]

Excellent work Scott !