MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Forum for discussion of Tropical bonsai – Ficus, Bougainvillea, Fukien Tea, Dwarf Umbrella etc.
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rich0man
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MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Post by rich0man »

I have a collection of some 50 trees over 16 years and would like to know any tips on what grows; tips and recommendations on which trees to sell and retain before moving to FNQ. Have Chinese Elm; Japanese maple (no good in FNQ); Black Pine; Atlantic Pine; Jade; Azaleas; Junipers ; Coprosma; Ash
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Re: MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Post by shibui »

It may depend where you end up in FNQ. Conditions up on the tablelands are quite different from the coast and may allow you to grow different species. Japanese maples may even survive in some places.
Chinese elm and junipers should be OK in tropical areas. Jade should grow anywhere. I think black pine is also OK but hoping for someone from up there to give a first hand opinion.
Is Atlantic pine Cedrus? I have not heard of Atlantic pine before.

Not sure about the others.
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rich0man
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Re: MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Post by rich0man »

Thank you for the reply ... we are looking at the Northern Beaches of Cairns.
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Re: MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Post by rich0man »

Correct it is a Cedrus atlantica, which is native to North Africa...
tgooboon
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Re: MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Post by tgooboon »

In Mackay about 9hrs south of Cairns, I have no problem with Chinese elm, Japanese black pine, trident maple, junipers, Azalea.

We get a mild winter in Mackay on the coast, but already spring now. Cairns doesn't really get much of a winter, but does get a long tropical summer - 3 months of which is extremely humid.

I have heard that people are growing jbp in Cairns with no problem. The Cairns bonsai club have a Facebook page, so you could reach out that way.

One plus about Cairns is you can get quincan 5-10mm which is a locally sourced scoria.

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Re: MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Post by melbrackstone »

I'm sure you'll have to make sure you have some 50- 70% shade cloth areas to help transition them, and no doubt it'll need to be used for 3-5 months, but there's a pretty good chance they'll mostly all survive. I suspect the JM will not thrive though, especially too near the coast.
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Re: MOVING BONSAI FROM MELBOURNE TO F.N.Q. PROS/CONS?

Post by tgooboon »

Japanese maples and spruce don't survive in Tropics from my experience. I would sell/re-home those before you move.

A thing to keep in mind you might need to change your substrate mix as you are going to need to focus on soil drainage over summer to prevent roots rotting when it rains constantly.

Ficus are great in the tropics.
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