Just Sharing ------- Name a Tropical tree - lowest temperature - 55 deg, F / 12.8 deg.C

[Anthony]

So I live on a Tropical island [ Trinidad W.I. ] and all of our native trees
are somehow seeds of Sub Tropicals and Warm Temperates [ zone 8/7 ]
our only clue to a Tropical is the introduced coconut tree.

Our seagrape hangs out in coastal Florida, as does the buttonwood.

All of those so-called Tropicals from mainland China [ Fulien tea / Sageretta t / Elms /
Murraya p, ] and there is no Tropical zone.

So folks help out --- name some Tropical trees and perhaps some for use
in Bonsai.
Topic inspired by Sifu [ @Adair M ] who we wish would try a Sageretia t,
as I think he would be brilliant with it.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Shibui]

As usual I'm not sure what you are talking about Anthony.
We grow Ficus rubiginosa. Not strictly tropical, more sub tropical but it is one of the best bonsai species I have grown. Needs some protection from frost in our winter but is also one of the best indoor bonsai I know. Grows fast, few pests, thickens in small pots, survives neglect and no nutrition, what more do you need from a species?

 

[Anthony]

Shibui,

I forgot to mention, Ficus b, Serissa and Flaucortia.

Some time ago Scott showed Ficus handling snow on his side.

The locals have adapted, growing in shallow pots, they can handle
the 90 to 64 deg.F [ 32.2 -17,8 deg.c ] range we can get from November
to March / April.
The Chinese types die after a few weeks to months.

On this side, we are discouraging the growing of Mallsai, as they frustrate
the beginners into quitting.

Here is an example - Flaucortia grows as beautiful Bonsai in Taiwan.
Grows well as a tree down here, but dies after 3 to 4 years in a shallow pot.

Our local willow ficus - Ficus p. is unaffected by the above listed
temperatures, and the tree weeps.

Shibui, I wanted to see if anyone could list a true Tropical.
Also trying to help those who try to grow Mallsai.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

I am growing two scheffelera I picked up from Fuku bonsai in Hawaii. One was shipped to me the spring and went through overnight temperatures of 48F with zero issues. They've stayed outside in morning light here in Tennessee but I'll likely be bringing them indoors for the night starting this weekend when temps dip below 45F.

 

[Anthony]

@cheap_walmart_art ,

45 deg.F is already below the classification for Tropicals.
Ever checked to see the temperature limit ?

Plus often in a bonsai pot, it is suggested to drop a zone
or two for cold resistance by the roots.

As I understand it frost is the enemy, snow is an insulator.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

@cheap_walmart_art ,

45 deg.F is already below the classification for Tropicals.
Ever checked to see the temperature limit ?

Plus often in a bonsai pot, it is suggested to drop a zone
or two for cold resistance by the roots.

As I understand it frost is the enemy, snow is an insulator.
Good Day
Anthony

Sorry, intercommunicated. I usually bring my tropicals in below 48F - our crazy weather here will be going from 60F at night on Thursday night to dropping below 45F at night on Friday night and 32F Saturday night. With Daytime temps being in the 60's and 70s.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Will the subtropical premna work there?

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Bougainvillea?
Chinese elm?
Japanese pagoda?
Olive?
Japanese holly?
Pomegranate?
There are tropical azalea.
Fruit trees?
Ficus?
Sweet plum?
Bahama berry?
Barbados cherry?
Bottlebrush?
Gardenia
Honeysuckle
Powder puff
Podocarpus
Hibiscus
Any of those work?

 

[Starfox]

Tropics are a latitude and there are many variations of climate between those lines, the Koppen climate classification goes some way to explain the variation of climates whithin the tropical zone. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Köppen_climate_classification

There would be far too many species to list so just get some Eucalyptus.

 

[Forsoothe!]

As I understand the question, "Which trees originate in Tropical zones?" (as in, near the equator). Brya ebenus, Jamaican Raintree; Bucida spinosa, Dwarf Spiny Black Olive; Plinia caulifora, Jaboticaba, Brazilian Grapetree; Pithecellobium dulce, Manilia Tamarind; Citrus aurantiifolia, West Indian Lime; Chloroleucon tortum, Brazilian Raintree; and Delonix regia, Poinciana. Many can also grow in lower zones, just not as happily.

 

[Carol 83]

Parrot's Beak, Gmelina Philippensis.

 

[Anthony]

@amcoffeegirl ,

premna is the cousin of the gmelina, growing well in Barbados.
Barbados once had a Juniperous barbadensis - available in Florida,
A few now live in either St. Lucia or St. Vincent.

Don't know Japanese pagoda [ sophora ? ]
Holly - Illex yaupon grows well here.
The larger leaf azalea from say Florida grows here - Rhododendron
Sageretia t = sparrow plum = sweet plum
Gardenia and Honeysuckle may give problems
All others grow here.

But remember we are at 37 or so natives and 30 to 50/60 trees
is the normal limit for a hobbyist.

@Carol 83

I am happy tp see you know the latin name - Gmelina

@Starfox - thank you.

@Forsoothe!

I need a little time to check the lowest temperatures on many of those
trees.
Thanks for writing.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Anthony]

@Forsoothe!

Brya https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/170931/#b - 30 deg F

Bucida s -
https://gardinonursery.com/product/bucida-spinosa-spiny-black-olive/ - low 40's

Plinia c -https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Myrciaria_cauliflora.htm -23 deg F for short
periods.

Pithecellobium d -https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Pithecellobium_dulce.html
Tropical - 64.4 deg F

Citrus a -https://www.logees.com/hardinesszone/10/key-lime-citrus-aurantifolia.html
listed twice zone 10 / 9
9 is the hybrid

Brazilian rain tree - low 30's degree F
https://gardinonursery.com/product/chloroleucon-tortum-brazilian-rain-tree-2/

Delonix r -
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280567

zone 10 to 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flamboyant -
It is branch poor and has large bi-pinate leaves - doesn't really bonsai.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Traken]

I think you may have made a thread about this species in the past, Anthony, but what about tropical mimosa (Leucaena leucocephala)? USDA Zone 9-12. I'm not sure the specific low temp, but they seem to be decent bonsai subjects.

 

[Anthony]

Here you are @Traken ,

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64328/#b
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
The lowest - there are several limits

Fascinating trees for bonsai.
Good Day
Anthony