I'm going to plant hell for this, buti need advice.

[Oddly_Aude]

Got a bonsai question, I've got this campeche tree. When I got it, it had basically no leaves besides buds because of a cold snap. Its grown back crazy fast, despite my impulsivity in repotting and trimming and wiring it, er... in the... three weeks... I've had it. I even accidently broke off the top when wiring it, I still feel terrible about that, but the tree seems unphased.

When I first got it:



Today:



I swear this thing is unkillable.

Its clearly loving the light and soil it's in.

Its about 6 inches from a decent growlight and in a mixture of miracle-gro, perlite, and mulch.

I know this is like, terrible for bonsais. And I'm a bad plant parent, but should I just keep it like this, indoors and in the soil? I think it's enjoying my poor treatment, or maybe I'm delusional. Fair chance of that.

I don't want to kill it by setting it up properly with bonsai soil and moving it outside in the summer.

If it would be happier as such, then I'll do it, but I love my tree! Any advice/ribbing is welcome!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

A good experiment!

The Campeche tree is normally considered as a zone 12 tropical, which would intpdicate a tropical inside only tree.

However given the tree was dug up in a zone 7b area of Virginia, this must be a variation of the actual tree, or a local name. In any event, trees in pots lose 1-2 cold hardiness zones, it one would be safe to say to not let the tree freeze.

Also since the tree was worked, it is weaker than normal and keeping it inside likely would be ok during this winter.

That said, would harden off the tree once the weather breaks and keep it outside in part sun during the growing season, returning it indoors or a suitable winter storage area once the leaves begin to fall off.

All that said, it would be wish to study up on wiring techniques.

Craftsy wiring series - A really good place to begin!
https://www.craftsy.com/class/bonsai-wiring-essentials

Basic Structural Wiring

Detail Wiring for Bonsai

Looking forward to seeing you progress. For your next tree, it might be wise to get a Shimpaku (See Evergreengardenworks.com site) a Satsuki azalea, or a Japanese Black Pine


Cheers
DSD sends

 

[rockm]

Campeche are mostly sold out of Puerto Rico as bonsai material. It was not collected here. The Bloodwood/logwood as it’s called make fairly decent bonsai and has for decades

FWIW Yours isn’t really growing all that strongly though. It’s getting by but the sparse leggy growth is not optimal and signals some weakness. Spring and summer won’t come soon enough for it. As soon as temps are above freezing get it out into full direct sun and leave it there until next fall.

 

[Oddly_Aude]

Campeche are mostly sold out of Puerto Rico as bonsai material. It was not collected here. The Bloodwood/logwood as it’s called make fairly decent bonsai and has for decades

FWIW Yours isn’t really growing all that strongly though. It’s getting by but the sparse leggy growth is not optimal and signals some weakness. Spring and summer won’t come soon enough for it. As soon as temps are above freezing get it out into full direct sun and leave it there until next fall.

Will do. I really appreciate the advice!

 

[Oddly_Aude]

A good experiment!

The Campeche tree is normally considered as a zone 12 tropical, which would intpdicate a tropical inside only tree.

However given the tree was dug up in a zone 7b area of Virginia, this must be a variation of the actual tree, or a local name. In any event, trees in pots lose 1-2 cold hardiness zones, it one would be safe to say to not let the tree freeze.

Also since the tree was worked, it is weaker than normal and keeping it inside likely would be ok during this winter.

That said, would harden off the tree once the weather breaks and keep it outside in part sun during the growing season, returning it indoors or a suitable winter storage area once the leaves begin to fall off.

All that said, it would be wish to study up on wiring techniques.

Craftsy wiring series - A really good place to begin!
https://www.craftsy.com/class/bonsai-wiring-essentials

Basic Structural Wiring

Detail Wiring for Bonsai

Looking forward to seeing you progress. For your next tree, it might be wise to get a Shimpaku (See Evergreengardenworks.com site) a Satsuki azalea, or a Japanese Black Pine


Cheers
DSD sends

I actually have a baby shimpaku. He's on my back porch right now in full sun! I really appreciate the advice!