Bonsai Newby with Monkey Thorn -

[Lady Deja Vu]

A friend gave me a monkey thorn
(At least that is what I think it is)
Although I have a few ficus bonsai and a jade, I’m still fairly new to bonsai. Any advice about this tree? I live in Orlando Florida, so also need advice on how much Florida sun this guy would like. Thanks in advance!

 

[eugenev2]

A friend gave me a monkey thorn
(At least that is what I think it is)
Although I have a few ficus bonsai and a jade, I’m still fairly new to bonsai. Any advice about this tree? I live in Orlando Florida, so also need advice on how much Florida sun this guy would like. Thanks in advance!View attachment 515839

Could you take a close up picture of the bark and the thorns.
It doesn't look like a monkey thorn to me, but need to make sure. Monkey thorns usually have a almost paper like bark, which doesn't like overhead watering and the thorns are normally small-ish black thorns

 

[Lady Deja Vu]

 

[Lady Deja Vu]

 

[Lady Deja Vu]

If you look at the lower right, there is a small root growing out, to the left of the pic you can see small leaves sprouting from the trunk. I am inclined to remove them but waiting to hear from those that know more about this tree. It has been fairly neglected. I cut the branches off that have long been dead and gave it about a cup of water. The leaves reacted by dropping last night, but look great today. In Florida we have 1-2 months of mild summer left. I would be inclined to give it a very very light bit of fertilizer and then not to water it much again as our fall season approaches. But again, not an expert. There is no actual winter here. Possibly a good chill first 2 weeks of February, then 3 weeks of spring and directly into summer again. It is in a 5 gallon pot, so also not sure WHEN, or IF to repot? Cut roots? If so, what percent?

 

[eugenev2]

If you look at the lower right, there is a small root growing out, to the left of the pic you can see small leaves sprouting from the trunk. I am inclined to remove them but waiting to hear from those that know more about this tree. It has been fairly neglected. I cut the branches off that have long been dead and gave it about a cup of water. The leaves reacted by dropping last night, but look great today. In Florida we have 1-2 months of mild summer left. I would be inclined to give it a very very light bit of fertilizer and then not to water it much again as our fall season approaches. But again, not an expert. There is no actual winter here. Possibly a good chill first 2 weeks of February, then 3 weeks of spring and directly into summer again. It is in a 5 gallon pot, so also not sure WHEN, or IF to repot? Cut roots? If so, what percent?

Sorry, i'm not familiar with this thorn tree, it doesn't look like any of the ones commonly found here.
The leaves and the bark look very similar to some south american natives like the monkey pod, but i'm not aware that it has thorns.

Cannot provide you with specific advice, but general advice would be, that your climate seems similar to mine, so this tree probably won't go properly dormant, but it might still loose leaves. The leaves folding up at night is normal for trees with these leaves, my leopard tree, money thorn, black money thorn, sweet thorn and karoo thorn all do the same. Regarding more specific advice, lets hope someone that knows this type specifically comments. Sorry

 

[Lady Deja Vu]

Sorry, i'm not familiar with this thorn tree, it doesn't look like any of the ones commonly found here.
The leaves and the bark look very similar to some south american natives like the monkey pod, but i'm not aware that it has thorns.

Cannot provide you with specific advice, but general advice would be, that your climate seems similar to mine, so this tree probably won't go properly dormant, but it might still loose leaves. The leaves folding up at night is normal for trees with these leaves, my leopard tree, money thorn, black money thorn, sweet thorn and karoo thorn all do the same. Regarding more specific advice, lets hope someone that knows this type specifically comments. Sorry

Thank you for your response! Maybe this is a Brazilian Rain Tree???

 

[Srt8madness]

I don't know enough to say BRT or not, but the leaves will fold/unfold daily.

 

[Carol 83]

Thank you for your response! Maybe this is a Brazilian Rain Tree???

Looks like it to me although I am unfamiliar with Monkey Thorns.