Desert Bonsai

[rockm]

Ran across this article from the Tucson, AZ newspaper. Interesting, especially the photos of natives, from mesquite to palo verde:

http://tucson.com/lifestyles/home-a...cle_97a067ef-f782-5f1a-9d5d-eead61d81fdf.html

 

[fredman]

Interesting. The palo verde reminds me of the African fever tree. Same habit and looks similar. The green is the chlorophyll they carry in the bark.
Mclean is my kinda guy when he says.... “It’s my peaceful, quiet, meditative time.”

 

[milehigh_7]

A lot of desert natives look like they have good potential. We had 3 days of torrential rain over the weekend so I took the opportunity to dig some Larrea tridentata or creosote bush I will post em if they live.

Here is what they look like. The leaves look like a smaller version of dwarf myrtle.

 

[michaelj]

I know a few people who've tried collecting and potting creosote from the Mojave desert. I know none who succeeded. If it worked, please share more detail. Great species if you can get it to live!

 

[Geo]

Very nice 40 year old Texas Ranger shown there. Love them.

 

[AaronThomas]

Nothing like the smell of a creosote in the rain....

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

We had 3 days of torrential rain over the weekend so I took the opportunity to dig some Larrea tridentata or creosote bush I will post em if they live.

...and did they survive?

 

[Mike Westervelt]

9 year old thread? from a member who hasn't been active here since 2008, unlikely to get a response.

 

[Paradox]

9 year old thread? from a member who hasn't been active here since 2008, unlikely to get a response.

Not sure who you mean? The original poster @rockm is here almost every day.
His profile says he joined in 2008, and he was last seen today

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

9 year old thread? from a member who hasn't been active here since 2008, unlikely to get a response.

Oh. I was trying to ask @milehigh_7. When I tap his profile, he was here Monday.
@rockm also posted a link to a story (an old one, but valid just the same) regarding members of the Tucson bonsai society that was quite helpful. I may try to contact the club to get some pointers.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

@Desert O'Piñon asked @milehigh_7 about some creosote bush material collected in April of 2016, I was mistaken about milehigh_7's recent activity on this site, I apologize if it came off snarky

 

[milehigh_7]

...and did they survive?

The ones I tried back then did not. However, I have some little tiny ones that are thriving. Amazingly, they do very well as indoor plants. They are pretty impossible to dig but there are nurseries that sell starters and you can get some bigger ones at other nurseries. I have had my little fellas for almost 2 years. They are growing but slowly, which is pretty understandable as they are among the oldest living things on the planet. (they clone themselves). We have some growing in the park in our subdivision with trunks about 6" in diameter which is mind-blowing.

 

[milehigh_7]

@Desert O'Piñon asked @milehigh_7 about some creosote bush material collected in April of 2016, I was mistaken about milehigh_7's recent activity on this site, I apologize if it came off snarky

Yeah Mike, I still lurk. I have not been super active here for a bit as I am SUPER busy with some other things.

 

[milehigh_7]

As I stated in 2016 loads of desert natives make great bonsai subjects.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

They are growing but slowly, which is pretty understandable as they are among the oldest living things on the planet. (they clone themselves).

Yes, they certainly do. I started a thread about Chihuahua Desert natives, and this was my most recent subject. The King Clone in the Mojave Desert is estimated to be 11,700 years old! That thread (and @rockm) are the reason I found this thread. Thanks for your response.
As far as collecting, I have my eye on several victims, er, ah, that is individuals at the railyard where I work. They are small, and likely to be destroyed next time the area is cleared. So they have a better chance with me than with a bulldozer. Any tips on soil, pruning, fertilizing, etc?
I don't have any large nurseries within a 3 hour drive, so that's not my best option. Collecting seeds is definitely possible, though very, VERY slow.

 

[milehigh_7]

Yes, they certainly do. I started a thread about Chihuahua Desert natives, and this was my most recent subject. The King Clone in the Mojave Desert is estimated to be 11,700 years old! That thread (and @rockm) are the reason I found this thread. Thanks for your response.
As far as collecting, I have my eye on several victims, er, ah, that is individuals at the railyard where I work. They are small, and likely to be destroyed next time the area is cleared. So they have a better chance with me than with a bulldozer. Any tips on soil, pruning, fertilizing, etc?
I don't have any large nurseries within a 3 hour drive, so that's not my best option. Collecting seeds is definitely possible, though very, VERY slow.

You will have your best shot at collecting after a deep rain. I would actually try to keep them tented with some plastic for a while. They actually like more water than you might think. They backbud pretty well. Our landscapers cut them down to bare stumps every spring and they bush out like crazy. They seem to enjoy osmocote on a fairly regular basis. Tough as nails once established, however. If you want little tiny ones, I may be having to sell everything soon. I'm not sure yet but it might happen.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

You will have your best shot at collecting after a deep rain. I would actually try to keep them tented with some plastic for a while. They actually like more water than you might think. They backbud pretty well. Our landscapers cut them down to bare stumps every spring and they bush out like crazy. They seem to enjoy osmocote on a fairly regular basis. Tough as nails once established, however. If you want little tiny ones, I may be having to sell everything soon. I'm not sure yet but it might happen.

Deep rain? What's does that even mean? LOL That's a foreign concept around here.
I might take a 5G jug and let it trickle out over the root zone and dig it the next day.
I'm disappointed when I see our fellows in the art leaving (losing? in some cases?) the passion for these beautiful trees. We can all benefit from the collective knowledge and experience. But I understand. Life happens, and sometimes we have to shift our priorities. If you do have to sell some or all, I might be interested to see what you have, but I also have to prioritize; I don't have a large budget for hobbies.

 

[milehigh_7]

Deep rain? What's does that even mean? LOL That's a foreign concept around here.
I might take a 5G jug and let it trickle out over the root zone and dig it the next day.
I'm disappointed when I see our fellows in the art leaving (losing? in some cases?) the passion for these beautiful trees. We can all benefit from the collective knowledge and experience. But I understand. Life happens, and sometimes we have to shift our priorities. If you do have to sell some or all, I might be interested to see what you have, but I also have to prioritize; I don't have a large budget for hobbies.

I actually had a thought about something I have not tried. You should give layering a shot. The way they clone, I suspect they would layer easily. This would be a great experiment! We get monsoon rains that are at times 1" plus in a few minutes so that's what I mean.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I actually had a thought about something I have not tried. You should give layering a shot. The way they clone, I suspect they would layer easily. This would be a great experiment! We get monsoon rains that are at times 1" plus in a few minutes so that's what I mean.

Oh, yeah! Of course; that makes sense. Now you have me wondering about root cuttings, too.
We do get monsoon rains, but last year we got about an inch between August and November or December.