AusBonsai

Ume are amazing. ...and Kirky's fantastic example here:
viewtopic.php?f=132&t=24273

But can anybody tell me why other Prunus sp. like the good old Satuma plum are not as revered as bonsai? Are other Prunus Sp. missing some characteristic, making them less desirable as bonsai? Cheers,
Symon

It's all about the flowers Simon. Ume's flowers are superior in that they are more colourful - even the white ones have a little colour in the bracts. They seem to have a ''glow'' that other prunus don't have. The petals are more rounded so the flower looks round. They flower earlier in the season so they attract attention to themselves before all the froth of spring, and most of all they are beautifully scented. Perhaps they are even longer lived (?) which would give then even more venerability than others. Having said that, most other Prunus are worth growing as bonsai and are!

I can vouch for the scent they are wonderful to have inside.
I also have many Plums. The blossoms are so short lived on all Prunus but they are all still worth growing
Cheers
Kirky

Thanks for the replies, Mike and Kirky. One thing I have noticed is the plums have a longer flower/fruit stem than apricots. The advantage of plums for me is a can dig them up from my back yard!

Cheers,
Symon

Whilst discussing plums...
I got hold of a fairly good prunus elvins off eBay (bare rooted) last year..not display worthy or anthing but will be ok in a few years...what surprised me this last season was that I was eating cherry plums off it..!!
Elvins is absolutely covered in blossom and a thing to behold in Spring...

Prunus elvins sounds great post a picture when it flowers.

Cheers,
Symon

Your lucky to get Plums between the possums, rats and birds my Elvins don't stand a chance. had my eye on a Plum last year needed another week it was gone the next day
Elvins are great for blossoms they're not like some Plum trees where you have to wait years for them to flower.
And the blossoms are stacked on top of each other.
Cheers
Kirky

Not bonsai but this link is a thread with pictures of P. 'Elvins' in flower as a garden plant.
[url][/viewtopic.php?f=134&t=12974&hilit=+elvinsurl]

Thanks for fixing that Ray. I did not stop to check that it was correct after I posted