The House Plants Thread

Mr_Bungle · Mar 1, 2017

AngryGerbil said:
When my Elm drops seeds in a few months, I'm thinking about grabbing a couple and trying to maybe bonsai myself an American Elm.

Anyone have any experience with bonsai? I've been watching some stuff on Youtube but have no experience with it at all.

Much of bonsai care is dictated by the species of tree that you chose to use (Light, water, temperature, nutrient requirements, ext.)

American Elm seeds are one of the few types of elm that do not require cold stratification to germinate although the procedure still does aid germination. Seeds collected in the spring can be grown in the same season.

Bonsai trees like a well draining soil, I would avoid using a glazed pot to prevent fungal and moisture control issues. The bottom of the pot should have a screen to prevent the little amount of soil you have from draining out. However, if the screen is too small it will actually discourage adequate draining and cause diseases like root rot. That being said I would to a series of tests and start with a screen that is about the same micron measurements as a screen door and work from there.

I have a book about bonsai maintenance, I will set aside some time to locate it and relay more information to you at a later date.

AngryGerbil · Mar 1, 2017

Mr_Bungle said:
Much of bonsai care is dictated by the species of tree that you chose to use (Light, water, temperature, nutrient requirements, ext.)

American Elm seeds are one of the few types of elm that do not require cold stratification to germinate although the procedure still does aid germination. Seeds collected in the spring can be grown in the same season.

Bonsai trees like a well draining soil, I would avoid using a glazed pot to prevent fungal and moisture control issues. The bottom of the pot should have a screen to prevent the little amount of soil you have from draining out. However, if the screen is too small it will actually discourage adequate draining and cause diseases like root rot. That being said I would to a series of tests and start with a screen that is about the same micron measurements as a screen door and work from there.

I have a book about bonsai maintenance, I will set aside some time to locate it and relay more information to you at a later date.

Amazon link it!

AngryGerbil · Mar 1, 2017

Serpens said:
The stenocereus pruinosus that you see right next to the blooms has flowers that are open at night, but also the day so I'm not sure that counts. Bought that at 6 inches around 1990 and it is a 12 foot monster now.

As a Missourian, that cactus and its flowers look so foreign to me. Thank you for sharing it!

Mr_Bungle · Mar 1, 2017

AngryGerbil said:
Amazon link it!

Good call, I should have thought of that earlier.

Bonsai (101 Essential Tips): Harry Tomlinson: 9780789496874: Amazon.com: Books

Mr_Bungle · Mar 3, 2017

Mr_Bungle · Mar 3, 2017

I really like this Begonia. The cut rhizome is starting to take root in water.

Mr_Bungle · Mar 3, 2017

Echeverias.

AngryGerbil · Mar 4, 2017

Mr_Bungle · Mar 6, 2017

This is an orchid that I rescued from someones window where it was roasting to death, its been 2 weeks and the orchid has recovered for the most part. I hope this plant blooms again so I can end my speculation as to what the colors will be.

Dandain · Mar 7, 2017

An interesting article about the photosynthesis for all you plant lovers out there.

LSU Researchers Shine Light on the Mystery of Photosynthesis and Photosystem II

AngryGerbil · Mar 9, 2017

The American Elm has sprung.

AngryGerbil · Mar 14, 2017

The dude is a corporate shill and the chick is fake as fuck.

But.... he clearly knows his shit and despite her fake ass voice, she actually does ask some good questions.

I'm still waiting for my caladium variety pot to sprout.

Big Phoenix · Mar 15, 2017

Planted my grapdefruit tree;

Orange has some nasty bark damage, from the sun I assume? If so how do you repair/prevent it? There some coating you can apply to it? Also has quite a bit of dead limbs that need to be removed(spent an hour removing them on sunday and still have a lot to remove). Even with all that though it is pretty damn hardy, it produced probably 200+ oranges this year and already completely full of blooms again.

What is up with the leafs on this lemon tree?

And how my backyard is now. Kind of wishing I moved the grapefruit tree a little more to the right.

Next step is to kill all those fucking weeds. Also slowly removing the grass in my front yard for eventual desert landscaping.

AngryGerbil · Mar 15, 2017

Orange tree bark problems: Bark Diseases on Orange Trees

Lemon tree leaves: Why Do Lemon Tree Leaves Turn Yellow?

Mr_Bungle · Mar 17, 2017

I bought an African Violet, a Primrose that is beginning to bloom and a Gerbera Daisy.

Mr_Bungle · Mar 19, 2017

My Primrose opened its first bloom today!

Also my orchid blooms are still opening bringing the current total to 8, with 2 buds that remain closed.

Mr_Bungle · Mar 20, 2017

Moogalak · Mar 20, 2017

Mr_Bungle said:
Much of bonsai care is dictated by the species of tree that you chose to use (Light, water, temperature, nutrient requirements, ext.)

American Elm seeds are one of the few types of elm that do not require cold stratification to germinate although the procedure still does aid germination. Seeds collected in the spring can be grown in the same season.

Bonsai trees like a well draining soil, I would avoid using a glazed pot to prevent fungal and moisture control issues. The bottom of the pot should have a screen to prevent the little amount of soil you have from draining out. However, if the screen is too small it will actually discourage adequate draining and cause diseases like root rot. That being said I would to a series of tests and start with a screen that is about the same micron measurements as a screen door and work from there.

I have a book about bonsai maintenance, I will set aside some time to locate it and relay more information to you at a later date.

to add on to this. If your goal is to have a legit old looking bonsai in the shortest amount of time, then plant it in either a) an oversized pot or b) the ground.

The idea being that the tree will grow faster if the roots have more room to grow and expand. You can keep pruning and wiring it as much as you desire while still maximizing growth. Stick to bungles' advice on well draining soil whichever option you choose.

After you decide you've got the branch structure and fullness you desire, the challenge then becomes knowing when you want to start training the roots to be shallow. Then you can start downsizing the pot.

I could incorrectly recall much of his advice, but i'd better just recommend the penultimate source (imo) in bonsai:
Bonsai Techniques I: John Yoshio Naka: 9780930422318: Amazon.com: Books

Both I and II are great books, easy to digest and reference, and even look good. Great coffee table book.

AngryGerbil · Mar 21, 2017

Mr_Bungle said:
View attachment 127639

That thing is cool. Two colors attract a range of pollinators and the white stripe is really sharp. A really great flower.

Mr_Bungle · Mar 21, 2017

AngryGerbil said:
That thing is cool. Two colors attract a range of pollinators and the white stripe is really sharp. A really great flower.

Thanks man I thought the colors were cool too, Ive been reading about primroses and they seem easy enough to care for however I don't think i will plant it outside though.

The House Plants Thread

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