Bonsai identification

[Treeluv]

I rescued 2 Bonsai trees from walmart yesterday.. Removed the glued rock, and see unpleasing soil.Need a positive ID on them. They look like a type of ligustrum, but there are so many species of those that I`m not sure what species they are. Not sure what soil mix I should use to repot. Right now they are inside under a plant light. The leaves are thin and flimsy. The soil is extremely soaked.. Not sure if its inside or outside tree. With it being winter here I don`t want to put it outside right now. Also what insecticide should be used on these if I spot any critters? (I know I ask several ?s here ) Thank You

[affgar]

Could be Ligustrum sinense. Looks like the small/fine leafed privet.

You want a good blend of potting mix with some cow manure or slow release fertiliser added. Don't want to keep it too wet in the cold weather.

Go the least harmful option in regards to pest spraying. Look at organic solutions first (especially if growing indoors). White oil, eco oil, Pyrethrum etc .. depending on type of insect.

[rainbowgardener]

I agree: "Don't want to keep it too wet in the cold weather." [especially in cold weather/ dormant period, but also any time] That's why bonsai trees are usually not kept in regular potting soil especially with manure added, which would make it even heavier and more water holding. The typical advice is use a designated bonsai potting mix, which is much more mineral and much more free draining with only a little bit of organic material.

I think privet would ordinarily be an outdoor tree, but that does NOT mean that you should plop it out in to severe weather now, if it has been indoors. Outdoor trees have the whole fall to gradually acclimatize and protect themselves against the coming winter. So for now, keep it indoors and keep it misted/ on a humidity tray to guard against winter dryness. Especially in really cold weather when the furnace is going all the time, our houses are very dry. Bring it out in spring when the weather warms up and then consider leaving it out in the fall.

Here's a little article about care of ligustrum bonsai: https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ligustrum.html


Here's a few images of different styles of ligustrum bonsai for your inspiration:


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... bonsai.JPG



https://www.artofbonsai.org/art-of-bonsa ... ulgare.jpg


https://mestrebonsai.files.wordpress.com ... ulgare.jpg


https://www.bonsaiboy.com/catalog/media/k2960.jpg

[tomc]

Affgar, your soil mix is one for the tropics. It'll kill trees in temperate zone.

[affgar]

Tomc .. I am fascinated & curious as to how, me recommending using a good quality potting mix ... & adding a few organic/fertiliser elements is for a specific temperature climate zone ...

Please enlighten me:

a) how a specific soil type is only suited to a specific zone....
b) how pointing out fertiliser requirements of privet affects anything ....

Obviously how one creates drainage in their pots is of there own ingenuity.

What I have recommended will not kill plants in a temperate zone.
I have been doing gardening in a fairly temperate zone for over 10 years ... I can't say there are many plants I have killed.

I personally would not continue with this plant as a bonsai ... that's just me though.
Sorry .. I kind of answered this question as if not continuing with bonsai.

Yes ... if keeping this plant as a bonsai use proper formulated potting mix ... unless you have experience making your own free draining inert soil mixes.

Of course everyone has to create their own soil mix that will suit their plant, water habits & location ...