AusBonsai

This is a creeping form of Portulacaria afra. The nodes are shorter and the leaves are smaller. They cascade easily.
This tree is about 15cm high.

1. The tree in July 2009:
2. The tree wired into a pot in January 2010.
3. December 2010:
I am keeping it pinched regularly and the leaves reduce well. The tree is probably planted too deep it the pot?

Any comments and advice welcome.

Lennard

Hey Lennard,

Thanks for posting, the progress has been amazing in such a short space of time. I have a Portulacaria afra that i have been growing on for a while but its not ready to be seen.

I have seen variegated forms but not prostrate, how big does it grow naturally?

Matt

MattA wrote:Hey Lennard,

Thanks for posting, the progress has been amazing in such a short space of time. I have a Portulacaria afra that i have been growing on for a while but its not ready to be seen.

I have seen variegated forms but not prostrate, how big does it grow naturally?

Matt

Thanks for replying, Matt.

This variety (Portulacaria afra prostrate) does not grow into the tree form but the trunks do get big over time. (The normal upright form can grow to 6 meters in height)

Here is one of mine in a pot growing into a cascade.
Lennard

Hey Lennard,

Thanks for replying with the info, i will have to keep my eyes open now, that cascade is awesome... are you going to chop it up for bonsai one day?

I have a normal afra that I have been working on for just over a year since seeing one of my club members stunning shohins, it is amazing to see the padding she had achieved so quickly with it. I have to admit to being a bit slack with mine, because its not a native it tends to get neglected like most of my exotics Think that will have to change!

Matt

Thats a great looking tree you have there Lennard. I have a variegated leaf that needs some wire and a pot thanks for the inspiration

Lennard,
Very nice work with the Jade. I too did not know about a weeping form. I have seen variegated, and corky bark varieties.
Keep us posted.
Jerry

MattA wrote:Hey Lennard,

are you going to chop it up for bonsai one day?

because its not a native it tends to get neglected like most of my exotics Think that will have to change!

Matt

I'm taking cuttings from the plant in the picture - will make nice gifts to family or beginners one day.

And the natural form of these trees are not even close to what we try to grow them in, but they do look nice with the dark trunks and the glossy leaves!

Nice beginner's bonsai.

Lennard

Jerry Meislik wrote:Lennard,
Very nice work with the Jade. I too did not know about a weeping form. I have seen variegated, and corky bark varieties.
Keep us posted.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry.

The weeping form is also available in a variegated form - but they grow very slow.

I am also looking for one of the corky bark varieties.

Lennard

For a general overview of these plants, please see http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/Portulacaria.html et al.