AusBonsai

Hi All,

Not sure if this is something that can be turned into Bonsai but this grew without any help in one of th pots and grew cery quickly. Was about to get rid of it but thought should check what it is first.

Looks like a schefflera actinophylla (umbrella tree)

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Should I attempt a bonsai?

I'm not going to say no, but it mite be a struggle getting the leaf size down to something manageable.

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I think Schefflera has compound leaves. This one looks superficially like it until you look closer at the leaf arrangement. I can see simple leaves arranged alternately.

There are several things that spring to my mind when I see those leaves: Laurus nobilis - bay tree; Avocado; Tristanopsis or Lophostemon; maybe even Pittosperum sp; Hard to say just looking at the leaves. I'd need some more clues to narrow it down a bit more - trunk and bark, flowers or fruits would be even better but I don't suppose it is up to that yet.
Maybe where you got it might also give some clues.

This would be pittosporum undulatum I’d say

Here is an image of trunk/bark. It grew by itself in a citrus pot

squizzy wrote:This would be pittosporum undulatum I’d say

I agree, Pittosporum undulatum.

With the info we have, I would agree too

Leaves look right. It has come up as a self sown seedling in Victoria (ie weed) so it is looking better for Pittosporum undulatum than any of the others I proposed earlier.

As for your earlier question -

Should I attempt a bonsai?

I don't remember ever seeing one as bonsai but they are hardy (weedy). They respond well to pruning - (used as hedges) so should be amenable to bonsai culture but I don't think they ramify very well so you may have some issues getting good density. If you have the space and time have a go. You can only learn a lot about bonsai practice.

And bonsai patience