Vietnamese Blue Bell questions

[gfreak]

Anyone have much experience growing these? Haven't been able to find a ton of info online, and the couple books that i have for reference don't mention them at all.

Just got 1 from wigerts, and wanted to be sure on a couple things.

since it's from Vietnam climate, i'm assuming it'll love the sun/humidity down here in Houston. But for winter, what're the lower end temperatures in terms of when to bring it inside? under 50?

Is there anything specific to this plant when compared to any other tropical trees in terms of watering/fertilizing?

Appreciate any tips y'all might have!

Picture Tax:

 

[vp999]

I would bring it in when the temps drop under 50. I have a few big ones and they have survived 30s in my greenhouse on some extremely cold nights. Sometimes they will drop leaves but will regrow. I would treat like you would a ficus.

 

[Carol 83]

I got mine from Wigert's also. I brought it in with the rest of my trop's in the fall and it did fine under the lights. In Houston I would think it would need less winter protection.

 

[namnhi]

I bring mine in when low temp forecasted below 40 for a few nights. Our high rarely stay under 60s so they will be fine to stay out if only a cuople nights in the low 40s. I have a thread on this titled Desmodium

 

[gfreak]

Perfect! thanks a ton for the confirmation on that!
Yea i've gotten the majority of mine from wigert's lol.
I probably need to get some grow lights for winter. I just used a bright windowsill for last winter

 

[gfreak]

Follow up question for this guy. The soil seems to not want to hold much water (it all runs out the sides) and even after heavy watering if I dig a bit it's dry towards the center.

I have tried submerging it in the sink, and the whole thing just floats (the root ball floated out of the pot actually).

Does this mean I need to try and repot this? I know it's a tropical, but will it be ok to repot this in the middle of summer?

 

[vp999]

Follow up question for this guy. The soil seems to not want to hold much water (it all runs out the sides) and even after heavy watering if I dig a bit it's dry towards the center.

I have tried submerging it in the sink, and the whole thing just floats (the root ball floated out of the pot actually).

Does this mean I need to try and repot this? I know it's a tropical, but will it be ok to repot this in the middle of summer?

This is a good time to repot tropical.

 

[gfreak]

Went ahead and got it done, appreciate the response VP!

It came apart as 2 clumps, was almost tempted to plant them in 2 seperate pots and get 2 clump styles out of it. But decided to leave em together for now.

There's a spot on the roots (picture 3) which i'm not sure how that'll look/grow as the tree grows.

 

[MHBonsai]

FYI you can propagate them easily from root cuttings. If you cut off some chunky roots, throw them in bonsai soil outside and in a few weeks they will push new buds. More trees!

 

[vp999]

Went ahead and got it done, appreciate the response VP!

It came apart as 2 clumps, was almost tempted to plant them in 2 seperate pots and get 2 clump styles out of it. But decided to leave em together for now.

There's a spot on the roots (picture 3) which i'm not sure how that'll look/grow as the tree grows.

Np bro ! I have one that I’m gonna try to put it over a rock tomorrow, I got it from Wigert too.

 

[Carol 83]

I just received this one yesterday.

 

[vp999]

I just received this one yesterday. View attachment 499854

That’s a nice one with chunky trunk Carol!

 

[Carol 83]

That’s a nice one with chunky trunk Carol!

Thanks! Going for less quantity, better quality.

 

[namnhi]

I just received this one yesterday. View attachment 499854

Congrats Carol. That is a nice pick for sure. I really like it.

 

[gfreak]

I just received this one yesterday. View attachment 499854

awesome! Did you get that one from somewhere local?

 

[Carol 83]

awesome! Did you get that one from somewhere local?

No one around here has any bonsai. I got it from Wigert's in Florida.

 

[gfreak]

Np bro ! I have one that I’m gonna try to put it over a rock tomorrow, I got it from Wigert too.

Still wanna see that picture of it over a rock btw

 

[gfreak]

No one around here has any bonsai. I got it from Wigert's in Florida.

Gotcha gotcha, Wigert's seems to be a pretty common one.

 

[vp999]

Still wanna see that picture of it over a rock btw

I’ll post pics of all 3 of my Desmodium tomorrow when I work on the ROR one.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Anyone have much experience growing these? Haven't been able to find a ton of info online, and the couple books that i have for reference don't mention them at all.

Just got 1 from wigerts, and wanted to be sure on a couple things.

since it's from Vietnam climate, i'm assuming it'll love the sun/humidity down here in Houston. But for winter, what're the lower end temperatures in terms of when to bring it inside? under 50?

Is there anything specific to this plant when compared to any other tropical trees in terms of watering/fertilizing?

Appreciate any tips y'all might have!

Picture Tax:

I also have one from Wigerts and it intimidates me. I've never repotted a neagari bonsai before, I realize the procedure is the same and I plan on doing it this weekend.



The flowers smell like grapes.