WTB Ficus & Elm

[JoeR]

As for the seeds, the reference manual did say 'stratification' wasn't necessary with jbp.

BTW to stratify means to put into layers. The way nurserymen used to treat seeds was to prepare seed beds with layers, like a layer of sand, a layer of compost, a layer of mulch etc. That's where the term stratification comes from. Now most people just let the seeds absorb water (sometimes hot water or acid is used to break down the seed coat, or it is mechanically 'nicked') and store cold for a certain period. That's why it's probably better to say pre treat seeds... you're not necessarily 'making layers' of anything ....

By reference manual are you talking about one of Dirr's books?

That's good to know. Pre treat.


Just a quick question- what's your background Txhorticulture? You appear to be quite knowledgable about horticulture and more specifically the nursery trade so I get the vibe you are in the nursery buisiness and are now getting into bonsai?

 

[Txhorticulture]

Just a quick question- what's your background Txhorticulture? You appear to be quite knowledgable about horticulture and more specifically the nursery trade so I get the vibe you are in the nursery buisiness and are now getting into bonsai?

No not a professional horticulturalist. When I was in my 20's and still in school I started getting interested in plants, i used to work in a college bookstore, I started buying lots of used books - not gardening books, but textbooks, nursery handbooks, reference materials. Any technical or horticultural knowledge I have comes from reading.

I was a lawyer, now a teacher. You're right in that I'm relatively new to bonsai. I've been an avid plant collector for years. I have so many weird trees in pots bonsai just made sense.

 

[Stickroot]

No not a professional horticulturalist. When I was in my 20's and still in school I started getting interested in plants, i used to work in a college bookstore, I started buying lots of used books - not gardening books, but textbooks, nursery handbooks, reference materials. Any technical or horticultural knowledge I have comes from reading.

I was a lawyer, now a teacher. You're right in that I'm relatively new to bonsai. I've been an avid plant collector for years. I have so many weird trees in pots bonsai just made sense.

What is the weirdest tree you have in a pot?

 

[Txhorticulture]

What is the weirdest tree you have in a pot?

The weirdest stuff dies the fastest but here is a pic of a strange euphorbia in my little plant zoo. And another of an adenium. Those are weird aND tree like I guess. I have some rare pine seedlings, a cephalotaxus in the front bed. I have a tiny keteleria davidiana- that's a really cool species most people don't know exists.

I've tried lots of things people have no business growing in central texas, but now I have a sense of what exotic things are workable for me.

 

[Stickroot]

The weirdest stuff dies the fastest but here is a pic of a strange euphorbia in my little plant zoo. And another of an adenium. Those are weird aND tree like I guess. I have some rare pine seedlings, a cephalotaxus in the front bed. I have a tiny keteleria davidiana- that's a really cool species most people don't know exists.

I've tried lots of things people have no business growing in central texas, but now I have a sense of what exotic things are workable for me.

Ever see that Desert Rose bloom?

 

[Txhorticulture]

Ever see that Desert Rose bloom?

Yes, has a few flowers now actually, is fuller now too. I'm gonna cut back all the branches to knubs this spring and repot it.

 

[Stickroot]

Yes, has a few flowers now actually, is fuller now too. I'm gonna cut back all the branches to knubs this spring and repot it.

I will post a pic of a real Euphorbia in a bit, so get your toilet paper ready!

 

[Stickroot]

I will post a pic of a real Euphorbia in a bit, so get your toilet paper ready!

This one is 28 years old, it was started from one leaf and has been blooming for 25 years except for one year when my mother took the Quartz out, when she put it back it bloomed again and never stops!

 

[Txhorticulture]

This one is 28 years old, it was started from one leaf and has been blooming for 25 years except for one year when my mother took the Quartz out, when she put it back it bloomed again and never stops!

Man my euphorbia crushes that. That's just a little 'crown of thorns', euphorbia milli. Is it a houseplant? Even a little rooted cutting would grow larger than that outside for one summer here. You can buy that for 4 bucks at the grocery store here around mothers day. Lol.

My euphorbia is an obscure cultivar or euphorbia lactea.

The Quartz is chemically inert, basically a piece of glass, so its blooms are a either coincidence or magic.

 

[Stickroot]

Man my euphorbia crushes that. That's just a little 'crown of thorns', euphorbia milli. Is it a houseplant? Even a little rooted cutting would grow larger than that outside for one summer here. You can buy that for 4 bucks at the grocery store here around mothers day. Lol.

My euphorbia is an obscure cultivar or euphorbia lactea.

The Quartz is chemically inert, basically a piece of glass, so its blooms are a either coincidence or magic.

Cactus
I think @Cadillactaste has one of these guys? Or was gonna get it?

 

[Cadillactaste]

Cactus
I think @Cadillactaste has one of these guys? Or was gonna get it?

You are correct! Indeed I was gifted a 20+ year old one. The pot is 12x4 round...and it's over 2' tall. Love the lignified section at the base that reminds me of a trunk of a tree.

 

[Stickroot]

You are correct! Indeed I was gifted a 20+ year old one. The pot is 12x4 round...and it's over 2' tall. Love the lignified section at the base that reminds me of a trunk of a tree.
View attachment 84392

It actually has bark!