I'm not usually a thread starter but I have a question.

My wife wants to have a memorial plant for her recently deceased father. My requirements are that it is hearty, long lasting, inside, and somewhat small. We have looked a little bit but cannot find anything quite right. I was initially thinking about a jade plant but lately I've been thinking about a bonsai type tree.

I don't know dick about them other than they are especially expensive to buy fully grown. I've seen places that sell seeds but I don't know anything about their growth as I am not a horticulturist or (ahem) a botanist.

Any input on this matter?

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Pxland

2001 Honda Accord

1995 Jeep Cherokee

1973 MB 280SEL 4.5

Buy a bonsai book.

My Mom has been training bonsai's for about 40 years or so. Her best ones are dug from near the woods along mown rights-of-way. See, the mowers have been training woody plants to small stature for decades before somebody comes along to dig them up. The mowers don't hit the edge plants every pass, so the plants are more likely to survive over the course of years.

You need a sharpshooter shovel and some flagging. Also, many states specifically outlaw collecting plants from roadsides, so pick your state carefully or invest in black shoe polish and nightvision goggles.

In the spring or summer, cut deeply into the soil in a circle around your victim plant. Tie the flagging around the stem and a bit up on the bushes nearby. Don't dig it up, now. Wait until late fall, winter. This is root-pruning. What you are doing is forcing the plant to grow roots closer to the main stem. This will make it easier to transplant later.

When you dig it up it should be dormant. This is when you need your bonsai book. It describes how to prune the plant, different containers, and soil mixes. Essentially, you're going to put the plant in a prolonged state of deprivation and extreme insult. You do this to keep it small and slow growing in all aspects.

Another good source is a local nursery run by old people who love plants and never discard anything. They usually have straggling pots somewhere of old plants that never sold. You can get those cheap and start training them. Bonus points for flowing plants, I think.

Don't buy a bonsai until you have proven to yourself that you can care for it. They're more like a pet in that regard. Because you must keep them permanently stressed, a little neglect will kill them. Save money and kill cheap or free plants.

I'll bet Plantman has some practical experience with these things.

B

So, Bot, I see you came by your interest in botany naturally. Do you share your mother's interest in Bonsai trees? I've always thought they were pretty cool, but never tried having one myself. I've killed plenty of other house plants, though.

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Nah, I have a Darwinian approach to plants that invariably culminates in widespred death and disease.

Just a thought--unless you or your wife have a lot of plant experience, buying a memorial plant or tree may not be a good idea--it may make an uncomfortable memory more uncomfortable if it doesn't make it

Ergo, ergot...

We do pretty well with plants. We've several in the house that are over 3 years old, and a pretty well maintained little garden.

Sounds to me like a bonsai is not what we'd be looking for however.

__________________
Pxland

2001 Honda Accord

1995 Jeep Cherokee

1973 MB 280SEL 4.5