GROWING LARGE-LEAVED TREES FOR BONSAI

GROWING LARGE-LEAVED TREES FOR BONSAI

 Many bonsai hobbyist generally opt to use varieties of trees with smaller leaves for bonsai. In my study however of the bonsai art I find no limitation or constraint as to the use of particular tree varieties.  As a shift to the generally accepted norms in the field of bonsai art, I tried to grow trees with large leaves as bonsai. I found it very interesting and fulfilling.

The following varieties are part of my collections:

Balubituon also called Botong

Butonica Rumphiana Miers

I grow these trees from the seeds I found on the coastal shores of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. The fruit is a little more than my fist size. These specimens have since grown on pots changed from time to time. These were never planted on natural ground. These trees naturally grow to a height of about 8 to 15 meters. Leaves are large, thick and shiny and measures about 20-40 centimeters. Despite growing in a small and shallow pot, its leaves are still large. I have tried to reduce the size of its leaves through regeneration pruning, but not much change is observed. They grow new leaves simultaneously. These are good for home and office decoration.

Octopus Tree or Schefflera

Schefflera Actinophylla

This specimen is a variety of Schefflera Actinophylla which is an evergreen tree with compound medium green leaves. It can grow up to a height of 15 meters when planted on natural ground. It produces long and easily multiplying aerial roots, especially during rainy days. Stalks of compound leaves are easily detached from the main stem.  Each time it buds it also produce new aerial roots. When guided down to the soil these aerial roots can grow and become beautiful part of the bonsai art. These specimens were grown from cuttings.

Bitaug Tree

Calophyllum Inophyllum

This variety is growing abundantly in the coasts of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. This specimen was grown from a seedling I collected from the rock-strewn shorelines of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte. This is a medium to large size tree with medium to large size of thick elliptical glossy leaves when grown naturally. It thrives even in stony shorelines. Its leaves and fruits are said to be poisonous. It is believed that the calophyllum oil produced from its seeds is of medicinal use.

Indian Rubber Tree

Ficus Elastica Gold – Moraceae

The original specimen of the variegated variety of ficus elastica was acquired from a plant dealer. These specimens were taken from my own cuttings from the original. This is a large tree with strangling aerial roots. It is generally found planted in parks because of the shade provided by its long and leaves-satiated cascading branches. Leaves are large and thick with yellow patterns. This is said to have been introduced in the Philippines during the American period.

  

Moreton Bay Fig

Ficus Macrophylla

The original specimen of this ficus variety was found as an epiphyte on a dead coral stone in the shoreline of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte. It was already given as a gift to the friend of my daughter. This is one of the remaining specimens grown as raft style bonsai from cuttings of the original bonsai tree. This ficus variety is said to be common in New Zealand and Australia, I have not yet seen a large tree of this variety growing on natural ground. The original plant must have been from the waste of a frugivorous bird. I observed that its leaves are not easily susceptible to natural enemies.

Hauili Tree

Ficus Septica – Moraceae

It is also known as Tabog tree in many Visayan provinces in the Philippines. It is a small tree which grows from 6-8 meters in height. The leaves are smooth and shiny with pointed tip. It bears fruit the whole year round and a good feeder for frugivorous birds. It is a very common site even in residential areas and subdivisions. This is probably because of its ability to bear fruit that most birds carry its tiny seeds to different parts of the community. Some of its rotten fruits are also eaten by ants and their seeds are carried in crevices of concrete canals and hollow block fences where its roots dig deep into the natural soil. When pruned it produces fast new shoots and branches. It is said to be a natural source of many medical uses and benefits.

All of these specimens were trained for already more than ten years.  Most of them are grown in 8” x 9” x 2” concrete pots, others in 9" x 12" x 1.5" and wider pots of the same thickness and some on more shallow home-made concrete pots. These specimens will look more wonderful when planted in commercial bonsai containers. Above pictures where taken on my bonsai working areas.