New to Bonsai from the very hot southern California desert

[DDOZ]

So - new to Bonsai here in the Desert in beautiful Palm Springs, CA. Going to start with the philosophy that if it can grow in my front yard when it gets 118 degrees in the summertime, then maybe it will also work here as Bonsai. Several things here seem to be nearly impossible to kill that I'm going to try - first is Bougainville as I have about 6 large bushes in my yard that are all about 20 years old and have nice, good trunk sizes. Already started to try to thin the branches out a little and they sprout new shoots almost immediately. Down side is that they have been trimmed all this time as yard landscape bushes not for Bonsai and have a seriously dense mass of branches (and very long thorns) going all different ways in the middle. Thinking on waiting a little longer for the temps to drop some before I try digging any of them out of the ground. In the meantime, am starting by trying some cuttings and air layering to see if that will work. Any advice for very hot dry environments is welcome.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I have no advice but it sounds like a plan! Keep us posted!

 

[Tieball]

I think that the Bougainville would be fabulous to work with. I have grown several in southern Vietnam and they grow fast, tolerate lots of pruning and mistakes, and can withstand several waterless days. I totally agree with your philosophy…if it grows there….it's a bonsai possibility.

I work with trees native to my climate….where the opposite of your heat I get several weeks well at and below zero. It makes care and growing much easier both for me and the trees. I don't want or need trees that cannot tolerate a hot summer and a frigid winter outdoors all of the year.

You have the right idea. Keep moving in that direction and resist the temptation to have one of everything everyone else has growing. Keep it managed to personal localized satisfaction.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Welcome! Very familiar with the area! Your one challenge with bougainvillea is that when it isn't blooming it is a thorny vine that requires a lot of maintenance - and if you prune it to maintain its shape you will be preventing it from blooming. It is a tough balancing act.

Consider also desert-friendly trees like Texas ebony, olive, California juniper, Utah juniper, Brazillian raintree, Brazillian ironwood, mesquite, and the like. You might want to check in with people in the Phoenix Bonsai Society to see what they have success with. Palm Springs is considered to be right in the middle of Arizona desert zone.

 

[DDOZ]

Thanks for all the advice. When the forum allows me to post some photos, I'll show you what I have here to work with - quite a number of 20 year old bushes like Bougainvillea, Lantana, Tecoma, and the like. They all grow like weeds here in Palm Springs.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Look up @PastryBaker on this site. If I remember correctly, he's also in your area and also trying to find trees that work there. He might be a good resource.

 

[Time Wizard]

I live in a very similar area to you. Bougainvillea will be a great choice for bonsai. It's one of few species I've found where even when it's 115-119 F every single day in the summer I can still wait until it wilts before I water it without fear of it dying.

 

[DDOZ]

Look up @PastryBaker on this site. If I remember correctly, he's also in your area and also trying to find trees that work there. He might be a good resource.

Thanks - PastryBaker and I have already connected up and are talking "what works in the California desert".

 

[Bonsai Nut]

When the forum allows me to post some photos, I'll show you what I have here to work with

You should be able to post photos as soon as you have a membership.

 

[DDOZ]

You should be able to post photos as soon as you have a membership.

I am a new member but it seems that I need to have a minimum number of postings before I'm able to also post photos.

 

[Ruddigger]

Welcome. Was going to page @PastryBaker but seems like you already know him. If you’re itching for something to do this weekend my club is having a show in San Gabriel.