New Member - Two Species Identifications

[Ivor]

Hello.

My name is Ivor. I'm a new comer to the art of bonsai - I've only been doing it for about 9 months - and I would be grateful if you'd help me identify two of these plants I have. I'm also wondering if either of the species have potential as a bonsai.

This first one I think is some sort of Acacia, but I'm not sure...





And here is a closer shot of the foliage:



This second one I really have no idea...







If you click each picture, you should be able to see a bigger size of each.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Ivor

[GavinG]

Hi Ivor and welcome.

The first I think is an Acacia, no idea which, but the juvenile vs. adult leaves give it away. The shapes that you have put into it are interesting and good, but if you want a solid strong trunk, plant it in something larger, feed it well, and cut it back to the last two leaves just before the buds burst in spring. Take the wire off before you go for thickening growth. Hope you don't mind grumpy old man advice. Good curves so far.

The second is at a guess a Hibiscus, might be syriacus if the flowers are small, single and blue/purple. Once again, big pot, lots of fertilizer, and maybe cut back to a low branch each spring to get interesting angles. Bonsai don't thicken well in small pots.

You might find a local club helpful. People can show you what they did to get the results in the long term.

Best of luck,

Gavin

[Ivor]

Thanks Gavin for that.

I will slip-pot into larger pots. I will follow your other suggestions too.

Thanks again.

Ivor

[Trent McKenzie]

I have a tree similar to the top one, I believe it to be a western myall, Acacia papyrocarpa, this link could help. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10673&start=0

It may also be Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall)

Not positive of this, so would like to see if someone could back this up.

[kcpoole]

Hi and Welcome to Ausbonsai
The first have no idea but Acacia will be a good Guess.
the second maybe Liquidambar. They have many variation on leaves so can be hard tho the trunk look more like Trident Maple.

Where did they come from? if self sown, then have a look around for mature trees around that may help to identify

Ken