r/bonsaicommunity

My favorite little tree

I attended my first ever bonsai show hosted by my local club. I planned to just go for the demos and the show trees but ended up buying two for my own collection. I think they’re pretty cute!

Update it’s been a few months since I’ve posted this tree! Progress is from current day to the past!

From aerial root development to more branching!

Did some potting and repotting this morning. Looking forward to seeing how the foliage ends up at the end of the season. I have a Dwarf Cherry tree in the house yet, since it’s still a bit unstable with nights flirting with 40°.

In bonsai we'd call this a raft style

Hello, I’m a beginner in bonsai and I’m eventually interested in getting some Portulacaria afra, but it’s currently a bit difficult for me to source good material in the EU.

In the meantime, I came across a Zelkova serrata for sale and I really like its natural shape so far. My main interest is developing a naturalistic bonsai style especially something like a broom style or informal upright mix. Does this tree have potential and would it be a good buy for me right now?

From what I’ve read Zelkova serrata seems like it could be a good candidate for this style. I’d really appreciate your input on the following:

• Would Zelkova serrata be beginner friendly in terms of keeping it alive? I do have some general experience with plants but no experience with bonsai yet. My priority is choosing a species that is as easy and forgiving as possible to increase my chances of success.
• I live in the Netherlands (zone 8a). I have the option of placing the tree on either a south-facing or east facing balcony on the second floor. My preference is the south facing balcony for the bonsai but I’ve read that during peak summer heat it may need some protection from intense sun to prevent leaf scorch would that be correct? Maybe move it in summer peaks to east balcony?
• While I know Portulacaria afra would love full sun on a south facing balcony are there any other species you would recommend that can handle those conditions while still being suitable for a naturalistic broom or informal upright bonsai style?

Please share your thoughts!

Last pic is last years attempt, it survived winter but does not look great so fingers crossed. It is budding and putting on new growth.

I took it out of the 1 gallon nursery pot and of course it was pot bound like every other, but as I worked at the top soil I realized that the root mass was hard set at an angle so I changed my plans of doing an upright.

The roots were growing and the tree was putting on plenty of buds/new growth so figured now was as good as any time to repot. Everything went smoothly other than trying to unwind the swirling mass of roots.

After doing what I could initially I got the roots for the most part to cooperate. Got it potted at the natural angle of the roots. Potted using a airy blend of Compost/pine bark/akadame/perlite and Laca. Sprinkled in some very light fertilizer and other micronutrients/beneficial bacteria/fungi.

After watering in and rest I removed dead/dying branches and maybe 30% of the foliage.

i will do very initial guy wire training for the natural apex trunk to further add visual interest to the tree over time.

Jabuticaba, Surinam Cherry ( I believe) and my new Podocarpus