name my bonsai - new!

[Bonniek]

Hello

i have a few plants i have been left with. told they are bonsai. It would be great if someone is able to advise me about the type of plant, how to look after them and how much they are worth.

i have images in photobucket.

http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab238/Bonniek_2009/

i have a post up in bonsaihelp.co.uk

[Elias]

G'day Bonniek,

I'm struggling to see clear pictures of your trees, but I'll have a go.
1. Looks like a form of an Araucaria.
2. Grewia maybe...
3. Chinese Elm
4. not sure looks like lucky bamboo...?
5. Looks like a succulent maybe an Epiphyllum.

As far as caring for these plants I will let someone living closer to your vicinity advise as the weather and temps are different down here in melb.
Value is always a tricky thing, I think it depends how much you enjoy them
A lot of people use the word 'bonsai' but here are some interesting definitions by some well know artist that I like...
'To me a tree in a pot becomes a bonsai when it no longer suggests visions of what it can or could be and begs for questions of how it became what it is."......Vance Wood
'When it has a soul and thus can touch your soul'.... Walter Pall
Good Luck,
Elias

[ketutg]

Hi Bonniek,

Can't really tell what they are because of the quality of the photos although no 3 does look like an elm.
Although the literal translation of bonsai is tree in a pot, i don't know whether you could call these bonsai.
As for care, make sure they get enough water, are outdoors and are in a free draining soil mix.
If you're interested to learn more i would encourage you to join your loacal bonsai club and read as much as you can.

[MelaQuin]

2 is definitely a Grewia or Lavender Star. Profuse with its flowers, nice plant, tends to grow straight, needs early wiring.
3 is definitely a Chinese elm root cutting. Easy Peasy tree that can be developed into a lovely bonsai.
Don't know the other but that's a start.

Both Lavender Star and the Elm are not fussy trees. I popped in without seeing where you are located but you would be best off to find a local bonsai club and join them. There is so much to learn and books just aren't good enough. Track down a bonsai nursery - worth the trip even over an hour away. Bonsai nursery men/women are usually open, friendly and forthcoming with advice and help. After all, if the bug bites you could be theirs for life... god knows I support two local nurseries to the detriment of my Centrelink pension. But what joy, what bliss!!!

[MelaQuin]

Bonsai Clubs - Gold Coast Bonsai Society
Meets 2nd Saturday of the month
[oh this is really cute!!! - I've punched the name]
___nora Community Hall, Currumbin Waters

Can you phone the local council to find out the hall?
Otherwise email secretary@aabcltd.org and ask Glenys for FULL details.
or go to their website at aabcltd.org and look for club details. The AABC is an umbrella organisation for about 45 bonsai clubs in Aust and NZ

But get thyself to a bonsai club and join like minded people. Bring your trees and they will identify them positively.

[MelaQuin]

Worth of your bonsai? Too early to ask that question. At this stage they are still in the 'stock plant' stage and you need to put a couple of seasons work into them in styling and care before 'worth' can come into consideration. The grewia is thin and young but appears to have movement which is a big plus. The elm is much the same. Personally I only see the others as potted plants but you have two good starters to get into bonsai. These two plants are worth your while to develop further. If you are not really interested in bonsai then the grewia can be planted in the garden and will grow into a lovely bush with occasional pruning to keep it under control. The elm and #1 should only be planted in a LARGE garden or park as these trees can be large and planted too close to foundations can cause trouble. As I understand it, Chinese elms are noxious weeds in Qlds so I caution you as to what you do with it. When all else fails, take a trip to the nearest bonsai club and donate the lot for their raffle table. That's the nice thing about bonsai... there are all sorts of options.

[Shannon]

Welcome!
No.1 is a Bunya Pine "Araucaria bidwillii"
No.2 is Grewia Lavender Star "Grewia occidentals"
No.3 is Chinese Elm "Umlus parvifolia"

Full sun , well drained potting mix , water regularly.
Get some better pics and we will talk styling and potting.