Potential?

Sean M · Post by **Sean M** » January 2nd, 2011, 2:40 am

I saw this tree/bush/thing at my mates place (he was going to bin it) and I thought it might have some potential. It looks like pine needles but all the trunks seem to come off one base, are very thin and covered in thorns. Can anyone actually tell me 1. what it is and 2. what I might be able to do with it. Please play nicely.

Sean

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rowan · Post by **rowan** » January 2nd, 2011, 5:22 am

I can't quite tell without a close-up pic of the leaves. If it isn't a conifer you could cut it down and make a little group. Sorry I can't give any more help.

alpineart · Post by **alpineart** » January 2nd, 2011, 6:26 am

Hi Sean , looks like one of the Asparagus , i had them as pot plants many many years ago , do a google search and you should be able to find out the correct name .I haven't seen one as Bonsai but i think i could be used as a small turtle back/ clump style group .Give it a shot as you have got nothing to loose . Cheers Alpineart

lennard · Post by **lennard** » January 2nd, 2011, 6:29 am

Difficult to confirm from your photo but I believe your plant is a member of the Asparagus family.

Any long tuberous roots?

Lennard

Post by **kcpoole** » January 2nd, 2011, 8:27 am

I know it a Native asparagus and had them growing like weeds at my old house
no good for Bonsai

Ken

MattA · Post by **MattA** » January 2nd, 2011, 8:36 am

Hey Sean,

I have to agree with Lennard & Alpine that this is one of the asparagus family... I would have to see it in person but it could even be the type you normally eat, when under fed & underpotted the canes can be very thin like this is.

I have been growing Asparagus aethiopicus (the most common one you see around) for about 9yrs now as an accent. Normally the canes can be up to 60cm or even longer, kept very pot bound it produces canes atmost 15cm long. It has just recently been cut right back & repotted(first time ever).

Repot & go hard... you dont even need to leave any root, as long as the crown is intact, cut all the canes off too. Never be real bonsai but can make great accents.

Matt

PS it is not native! all forms are introduced & classed as weed species

Sean M · Post by **Sean M** » January 2nd, 2011, 12:09 pm

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll do some serious pruning and weave some magic, and see what happens. Perhaps if it works I'll post a pic in the non bonsai section.

Mitchell · Post by **Mitchell** » January 2nd, 2011, 8:08 pm

Hey mate, i'll play nice...

Bare in mind though, when we "seem" harsh, it may only be because we are trying to save you years of work as we have. If you mean people bad mouthing it, they ain't going to. You'll be right...

Don't be to hasty to go this plant with wire. I don't know it by name, but have seen it as there is a bush around the corner from me. I have pined over it many an hour, could it be bonsai, yes it can.

You may be seeing small thin trunks coming off a base, but try envisaging that 5 fold, if you concentrate on the trunks, there is already a magnificent display right in front of your eyes.
Could you please re-take the shot with this area zoomed in, the rest/top foliage is not necessary.

I have always wanted one of these, they have delicate "pom pom" foliage that could easily be turned into refine pads, lovely white flaky barks... really impressive stuff mate. I loof forward to go next shots. Keep us posted.

Edit-forgot the pic.

Sean M · Post by **Sean M** » January 2nd, 2011, 9:06 pm

Thanks for the encouragement. I understand and accept pretty much everyones point of view when it comes to what should/could be bonsaied, really its the only way to learn via the net. It's when sad individuals make snide or unconstructive comments that dont help that I question their credibility (But no one has done that yet

) I'm currently working nights so I'll take another photo in the morning and post it up.

Mitchell · Post by **Mitchell** » January 2nd, 2011, 9:22 pm

You worry about doing good bonsai, I and others will worry about snide remarks. Those type of shenanigans do not fly at AusBonsai.com, there is no need to worry. Feel free to post what ever you want whenever you want.

Mojo Moyogi · Post by **Mojo Moyogi** » January 2nd, 2011, 11:12 pm

Hi Sean, welcome to AusBonsai
Mate to be honest, you really shouldn't waste your time with this plant, at least not in a bonsai sense. If you are at all attached to it, plant it in your garden and enjoy it in it's natural form. I am absolutely 100% behind anyone who needs or wants assistance with anything bonsai related, as a beginner in bonsai, your time is worth more than this plant can return to you. Good luck, and if you need help with anything bonsai related just ask, you will find most of the folks here (including yours trully) are willing to help you if we can.

Cheers,
Mojo

Mitchell · Post by **Mitchell** » January 2nd, 2011, 11:31 pm

C'mon Mojo, open up the book. I understand from your comment, that you have indeed seen this species in person. As you would know then, it is quite spectacular (fine pads, white flaking bark) once examined and reminiscent of many scenes held true with bonsai. May I ask why you seem to dismiss it totally?

I feel the shot, does this small forest injustice. A masterpiece yet to be discovered.

I respect your opinion, yet feel the total dismissal over zealous.

Sean M · Post by **Sean M** » January 3rd, 2011, 12:08 am

As I stated earlier I'm happy to take peoples advice, good or constructivley bad. But, as my current plants are happy doing what they are doing at the moment, I do have some spare time to put into this new plant. In my first post I mentioned it was going to be destroyed as my mate didn't want it, so even if it wont be "Bonsai" it will allow me to get my greenthumb on during my time off.

Mojo Moyogi · Post by **Mojo Moyogi** » January 3rd, 2011, 12:54 am

Mitchell wrote:C'mon Mojo, open up the book. I understand from your comment, that you have indeed seen this species in person. As you would know then, it is quite spectacular (fine pads, white flaking bark) once examined and reminiscent of many scenes held true with bonsai. May I ask why you seem to dismiss it totally?

I feel the shot, does this small forest injustice. A masterpiece yet to be discovered. I respect your opinion, yet feel the total dismissal over zealous.

Hi Mitchell, just realised that this plant (if it is Asparagus aethiopicus)is a noxious weed, so I retract the part of my previous post where I suggested that Sean could plant it in his garden. My advice is now that it should be discarded see here: http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/bridalcree ... BPMM-5.pdf.

Regardless of the weed issue, in my opinion, based on the information at hand, that Sean is relatively inexperienced in bonsai, that the the species has no known bonsai use that I am aware of and from what I could see, the plant in question does not appear to have much design value. The bottom line is there are better species out there and better trees. I am offering guidance based on lessons learned, which in writing over the 'net might look a little stuffy, judgemental or perhaps even close minded, but is offered as constructive encouragement.

Cheers,
Mojo

Sean M · Post by **Sean M** » January 3rd, 2011, 2:16 am

I am offering guidance based on lessons learned, which in writing over the 'net might look a little stuffy, judgemental or perhaps even close minded, but is offered as constructive encouragement.

And that is exactly as I took it. BTW I was never going to plant it in the ground as it was mentioned before that it may have been a weed. I think it's probably time to put this thread to bed for the moment. Although I do like collecting those little tools in my toolkit ------->

AusBonsai

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