Indoor Bonsai tree's

[mosk1640]

Can anyone recommend a really good exotic Bonsai tree suitable for staying indoors all year round with some high powered flourescents? I already have a Jade, Ficus and Ginseng. any other recommendations??? Perhaps any evergreen varieties that can withstand being indoors???

Thanks!

[kdodds]

By evergreen, I assume you mean conifers? You can try Podocarpus spp. (easy). If you want to try Pinus spp. or similar, maybe a Monterey or Mexican pine, or a False Cypress (neither easy).

[IndorBonsai]

Here is a small list of good indoor trees.

Fukien Tea

[url=https://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fukient.jpg][img]https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1815/fukient.jpg[/img][/url]


Hawaiian Umbrella Tree (schefflera) Mine is a dwarf but both are good

[url=https://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schefflera.jpg][img]https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5680/schefflera.jpg[/img][/url]


Brush Cherry (eugenia myrtifolia)

[url=https://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=brushcherry.jpg][img]https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2577/brushcherry.jpg[/img][/url]


(Serissas) The one on the right is a Serissa Foetida, and the one on the left is a Serissa Japonica (tree of a thousand stars)

[url=https://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=serissas.jpg][img]https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3396/serissas.jpg[/img][/url]

Brazilian Rain tree This tree is cool it closes its leaves at night or when it is going to rain.

[url=https://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raintree.jpg][img]https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6466/raintree.jpg[/img][/url]


I have been experimenting with trees that have a USDA zone of 9 - 11 and growing them indoors. It is to early to tell if they will live indoors all year long. But so far it looks promising.

Hope this helps

[bonsaiboy]

Other good trees include Tamarids, Citrus (if enough light), Dizygoethica, Ivy (Hedra helix), Coffee, Mimosas, Flowering Maples, Hibiscus, members of the Clusia genus, woody Begonias, and Polyscias, as well as many tropical conifers, like Pinus caribeae. For a tropical/exotic look you could use Dracaenas, Aloes, and cycads.


Oh, and I might also add, I have been expirementing with a few species of woody philodendrons to see if I can produce decent bonsai characteristics from them. This is something you might want to try too; exirimenting on random tropical woody trees and shrubs to see if they're bonsaiable.

[kdodds]

I'd stay away from Serissa spp. and Fukien teas. Both are beginner's banes and even many experts have trouble with them. The brush cherry is a good choice, as is the brazilian rain tree, though the latter can be difficult to work with. Other good (non coniferous) trees would be the barbados cherry (Malphighia glabra) and lavender star flower (Grewia occidentalis), both easy.

[IndorBonsai]

The Fukien Tea has the same care requirements as your Ficus does, if you can care for a Ficus the Fukien Tea is a great tree to have.

The serissas can be a bit tricky, they don't like changes in light, or they will drop their leaves. Since your growing them under florescent lighting as I am this shouldn't be a problem for you. (It hasent been a problem for me).

All the trees I have listed are trees that I own and have experience with. I have found these trees to be the easiest ones to care for ( out of my collection ) that is why I recomend them to beginners.

[bonsaiboy]

I also forgot! A Norfolk Island Pine is also a good choice for an exotic conifer bonsai, but the need bright light and need to be kept somewhat cool during the winter (sit it next to a window) A Hoop Pine is very closely related to the Norfolk Island Pine, and it also doesn't mind staying warm for the duration of the winter.

[IndorBonsai]

Cool BonsaiBoy, I am going to see if I can find some of thoes to add to my collection
Also I have heard that Dwarf knightsville Boxwood can be kept indoors all year long, so I am going to try it and see.

[bonsaiboy]

I have also heard that they can too, but I do not believe they can. However, it would be nice to try it... Speaking of try it there is yet another bonsai plant suitable for indoor use I forgot to mention: some varieties of Cissus can be used for indoor bonsai, most notably the dwarf types. I have used them before, but they all died for some reason (probably due to a fungi, not sure what kind).

[kdodds]

The KINGSVILLE boxwood can be kept indoors, but is tricky when doing so. Despite your success with Fukien and Serissa, IB, a quick search on any number of bonsai forums will reveal what I've said to be true regarding their ease of keeping. Just take a look at all of the recent threads here on dead/dying Fukien teas. Definitely these are two genuses (Ehretia and Serissa) that are not for the beginner.

[IndorBonsai]

There is also a few kinds of plums that can be kept indoors. I have 3 Natal Plum trees, they seem to be doing good sofar.