General considerations
In the fall, I let my figs leaf out before bringing them inside the green house for the winter. In April-May, I begin re-potting. Most medium sized healthy figs should be re-potted every second year. Every five to six years they should be placed in larger containers to maintain their vigor. Regular leaf pruning is essential to maintain compact foliage and to reduce the size of the individual leaves, particularly in the case of ficus natalensis.
Acacias are deciduous trees which normally lose their foliage in the winter. Because they spend the winters in the green house they sometimes retain some of the foliage throughout the winter. When pruning always leave a stub at the inter nodes. If acacias are not pruned regularly in the growing season they quickly lose their compact shapes. They should be transplanted every 2-3 years.
Please note that the height of the tree is the approximate height of the tree from the top of the bonsai pot to apex of the tree. The trunk caliper is the approximate diameter of the tree at the soil line.
At any time I have 10-15 great additional trees on hand. Please e-mail me for photos and information.
ficus natalensis
Ficus natalensis are indigenous to the east coast of South Africa in the region around Durban. These figs are classified as strangler figs because they easily adhere to other trees and/or rocks. Needless to say, they are ideal for root-over-rock plantings. They will not, however, tolerate a frost and must be brought indoors at the first sign of temperatures approaching freezing.
The stock I use has been selected to yield extraordinary leaf reduction while still exhibiting a very good growth rate. The trees have been in training for at least two years, enough time to establish the overall shape of the tree as well as some ramification. The trees have good trunk taper and in most cases interesting nebari.
ficus burtt-davyi
Ficus burtt-davyi are indigenous to south eastern area of South Africa. They make excellent shohin bonsai. More difficult to propagate than ficus natalensis, they develop good ramification quickly and in many cases good nebari and trunk taper. The burtt-davyi figs that I propagate are the small leaved variety. They also will not tolerate a frost and must be brought indoors at the first sign of temperatures approaching freezing.
acacia
Acacia or thorn trees are indigenous to southern Africa. They are particularly hardy and develop beautiful trunks with mature bark rapidly. They grow quite quickly and must be pruned regularly. The most common style is a flattop with a large canopy. They are excellent material for group plantings. They also will not tolerate a frost and must be brought indoors at the first sign of temperatures approaching freezing.
Sales information
- Prices do not include shipping and insurance costs.
- Items purchased in quantity are available wholesale to dealers. Please contact us with your needs.
- Trees will only be shipped upon receipt of payment.
- Additional information and photos of trees of interest will be supplied upon request.
- Suggestions for future styling as well as information about suggested maintenance of the bonsai tree will be supplied upon purchase.
- All sales are final.
