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Here are some of the results of the survey to which the readers of 'The
Bonsai Site' have contributed : This survey is now closed, but if
you wish to contribute your views on our current survey, click
here. If you want to see other past surveys, click
here.This was certainly one of our more interesting and controversial surveys, with lots of different responses featuring many types of unusual plants that few people would consider training into a bonsai. The GIANT REDWOOD (Sequoiadendron giganteum) which in nature can reach a height of 80 metres and live for up to 3000 years was a tree frequently put forward as an unusual bonsai subject. It is possible to grow as a bonsai, although requires a significant amount of maintenance and care. A significant number of people suggested the use of CANNABIS SATIVA as a potential bonsai subject, saying that it was relatively easy to grow and was attractive with its Japanese Maple-type leaves. Be warned however, as the growing and possesion of marijuana is illegal in most countries and the motives for its use in bonsai training are somewhat questionable. Both POSION OAK(Rhus quercifolia or R. diversiloba) and POISON IVY (Rhus radicans) which both have leaves that grow in attractive clusters of three were frequently suggested, the downside being that contact with these plants will cause a nasty rash in most members of the population. Experts believe that 85% of the population will develop an allergic reaction if exposed to poison ivy. For more information on Poison Oak, Ivy or Sumac click here. On a safer side, the common ENGLISH IVY (Hedera helix) was another commonly-mentioned candidate and is much more easily found, handled and grown. To grow a plant without trailers, propagate part of the flower stem, which does not attach to surrounding structures. Clearly there are easier trees to train as bonsai than those mentioned below, although the novelty value of owning your very-own Poison Ivy or Giant Redwood bonsai is sometimes worse the sacrifice and toil just to see the amazement on the faces of your friends when they drop round. Question :"What do you think is the most unusual plant to train into a bonsai?"
Opinions :
Patty Lester from Las Vegas, US, says :
BAOBAB TREE. I consider this to be quite an unusual tree given that its trunk looks so strange and it grows in such unusual climatic conditions like desert Australia. It'd take pretty long to train and be quite temperamental, but still I think it'd be worth a try. One important consideration is where you would keep it. A glasshouse would probably be your best bet. SACRED BAMBOO. Apparently bamboo is a traditional plant used in Japan for bonsai. You have to trim it back at the base every few years to allow for new growth and to keep it looking good. I guess in this respect it's an unusual plant for bonsai as you wouldn't dream of cutting back any other plant at the base every few years!
Don Chandler from zone 8b, Tillamook, US, says :
YUCCA (Elephantipes tree). I've never seen this species in bonsai form, but then, I'm new to the art. The saber-like foliage grows so large it will be a real challenge keeping it within bounds. I've just begun to try, however, by keeping the roots trimmed back and pinching out leaves that begin to grow out of proportion to the rest of the plant. Fortunately, this plant is tough and will tolerate a lot of abuse ... uh, make that experimental mistakes.
Leslie St. John from Barbados, says :
SEA GRAPE (Coccoloba uvifera). One of the main reasons that you hear for selecting a speicies for bonsai is that it tends to have small leaves. The Sea Grape leaf is huge 4 to 8 inches across, and yet they make excellent bonsai. The huge leaves reduce to about 1 to 1.5 inches across. This is becoming a tropical bonsai favorite.
Sandra Hedrick from zone 8b, Tallahassee, FL, US, says :
LANTANA & ROSEMARY. I selected two plants. While attending the BSF Convention in Orlando in 2001 I was suprised to see Lantana and Rosemary as a bonsai. (To see photos go to this address.) I was suprised to see the size of the trunks on what I had always thought of as just a perennial and an herb to plant in the yard. I wasn't the only one of many people who were surprised when they found out what the "trees" actually were.
Ola Wauge from zone 6, Vasteras, Sweden, says :
BETULA PUBESENS. In Sweden this tree ("bjork" in swedish) is so common, hardly nobody thinks of training it into a bonsai although it is beautiful as such, and hardy.
Jay Hubbard from zone 7, Winston-Salem, US, says :
KUDZU (Pueraria thunbergiana). What greater irony than to bonsai the "vine that ate the South". The woods next to my property is full of a mature crop of vines well over 30 years old. I am growing mine from collected seed and have only just started germination. Time will tell.
Andrew Fox from Maidenhead, UK, says :
GIANT REDWOOD. Saw the giants up close during a summer 2001 on holiday in California, USA. Anyone trying to make a bonsai out of one of these would have a major challenge, not just from the age and size and size of the tree but also the seeds.
Kenneth Pinette from zone 4-5, Highland, US, says :
ENGLISH IVY (Hedera helix). To me this is a strange plant for bonsai for obvious reasons. It does not grow in any tree form naturally. It is a vine and takes a lot of finger pruning to maintain as a bonsai. I have been training an English Ivy bonsai for a couple of years now and have been very suprised to find that it actually works. Mine is a very nice little tree.
Randy Griebenow from zone 9, Makawao, Hawaii, says :
OHIA LEHUA. The Ohia Lehua grows wild on the slopes of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii among the
crevaces of volcanic rock. Bonsai clubs from all over Hawaii travel yearly to collect wild wind torn knarled
specimens that bloom bright red, or the rare yellow flowers. The tree has 1 1/2" to 2" dark green leaves and
cork like bark and lends itself to natural bonsai shapes.
Jeffery J. Brickley from zone 7, Alamogordo, NM, US, says :
ELEPHANT TREE (Bursera microphylla). I chose it because it is rare (perhaps through cultivation through bonsai the species can persevere) and also because of it's unusual elephant skin like trunk, small flowers and fruit. Because it is a desert species all leaves, flowers and fruit are small to conserve water, making it easier to use in minature. The trunk is also unusual. It should provide fun training when raised from seedling.
Andrew Hackett from Canberra, Australia, says :
DANDELION. Although the Dandelion is a common weed, as a bonsai I find it a most extraordinary specimen, as shown in John Yoshio Naka's 'Bonsai Techniques I'. A lot of people overlook using alternative plants as bonsai or supporting plants, as illustrated in 'Four Seasons of Bonsai' by Kyuzo Murata, another visionary.
Serena Dawson from Whangarei, New Zealand, says :
PRIVET. I have to admit that when I first took a cutting I didn't realise what it was. I found that they make wonderful root over rock trees because they have such fast growing roots. They develop so quickly that you get a very mature looking tree in a very short time - I wouldn't say instant bonsai, but almost. They also have nice small leaves. They are not for those who get hayfever, thats for sure, and I get some strong reactions from people when they see what they are - "you can't have PRIVET as a bonsai!" but they just look so good....
Roderick S. Bernardo from the Phillipines, says :
LANTANA. I find it hard to see Lantana being trained as bonsai. I have always failed in attempts to try and train a Lantana bonsai. What they have is a pencil-thick trunk and even here in our country that mostly uses Lantana for gardening I have never seen one as a bonsai.
Walt Long from zone 5b, Denver, US, says :
SOUTHWESTERN SAGE. Sage has a naturally gnarled, weatherbeaten trunk and small bluish-green leaves. No one (to my knowledge) has been successful at keeping sage alive for more than a couple of years, but they can be magnificent.
Justin Crawford from zone 4, Brisbane, Australia, says :
GHOST GUM. It has as far as I believe never been done. This tree is awesome in terms of looks and the trunk is spectacular. Therefore i think it would make a great bonsai. Also because it is such a large tree this would add to its uniquness.
Dr. Joseph K. Prince from zone 6b, Sterling VA, US, says :
GIANT REDWOOD. In my experience, replicating the magnificence of the Giant Redwood into a bonsai
is the most difficult. Previously, I've tried several times and lost the trees. I recently purchased two more and
am still trying. The typical growth of the Redwood is for height as well as width but the triangular shape is
difficult to achieve because it is has such a powerful and energetic growth energy at all levels. The branches
extend from the trunk laterally at all levels and at multiple sites of each level and branch. Removing one or two
branches or sub-branches just seems to stimulate the growth of a dozen more buds throughout the tree trunk. It's
energy in growing is too strong. I love the tree, but it is not meant to be tamed into a bonsai.
Dan Jentink from zone 8, Ft. Gordon, GA, US, says :
MISTLETOE. I think it would be interesting to have a mistletoe as a bonsai. You could airlayer the branch it is on and either plant it as a raft style or have both the parent plant and the mistletoe growing together as in nature.
Jazz from Melbourne, Australia, says :
PINEAPPLE GUAVA or FEIJOA. I have one which produces oval-shaped green fruit from red and white flowers, however the trees need to be rather larger as the leaves don't reduce too well.
Greg Crowder from zone 7b, Charlotte, US, says :
POISON IVY. I read an article about a Japanese master who had a collection of what seemed to be just about anything that would grow as a bonsai specimen, and then they talked about his poison collection, which included ivy, oak, sumac and others... This made me wonder what he dressed in when it was time for re-potting those plants!
Sam Ley from zone 5b, St. Louis, US, says :
CANNABIS SATIVA. The marijuana plant is a plant that our society both worships, and demonizes.
One person may say its the best thing in the world, and another may blame all of our problems on it. But despite
all the connotations, implications, and accusations, the cannabis plant is just a plant. A humble part of nature.
Its leaves are gentle and delicate, with a look reminicient of japanese maples. It has a rich smell of herbs and
forest, and a beautiful dark green color.
Owen W from zone 5a, Shutesbury, US, says :
MOUNTAIN LORAL. It is a flowering plant that, in nature, often has a complex interesting trunk. When grown in an informal upright (or informal semi cascade), root over rock style, it has great potential to create an exquisite specimen. I chose it for this reason and that I have never seen any one else use this plant.
Philip Elmer from Valencia, US, says :
POISON OAK. No joke. Aside from the obvious, this plant is rare to find in anything other than
gangly clusters; however, this spring I discovered four beautiful, gnarled, thick trunked specimens of poison oak
whose growth had been kept compact by nearby pasturing cows. Their leaves grow in tight clusters (of three) and
have a beautiful red color when they open as well as in the fall. They go dormant there by providing a wonderful
winter silhouette as well as allowing time to prune and collect.
Brandon Steed from zone 5, Salt Lake City, US, says :
JADE PLANT. The Jade plant is one I had never considered as bonsai material. Given that it is a succulent, the leaves and stalks are very soft, making it difficult to train and shape without damaging it. I have however seen Jade trained as bonsai, and if done tastefully, it presents a unique and pleasing bonsai.
Bryce Letcher from zone 3, Sunbury, Australia, says :
PEPPERMINT GUM (Eucalyptus nicholii). I've never seen this species cultivated as a bonsai, except for the one I'm growing currently. It's very much experimental, but so far (12 months old) it looks like it might be good. Another species I have never seen, but think would be a challenge is Eucalyptus marginata or Jarrah. See info on both here.
Tim Morrison from zone 5b, West Baden Springs, US, says :
DANDELION. Most people think that it is a pesty weed, but when done as a bonsai it is s a beautiful work of art. You have a massive exposed root, realy great foliage plus a beautiful flower to boot.
TJ from Jonestown, US, says :
GRAPEFRUIT. I once saw a bonsia made out of the Califonia Grapefruit tree. It was in full fruit. I am not sure how they were able to make the trunk strong enogh to hold the two pieces - they were full size, as big as ones you would buy in the store. They were pretty much half the size of the plant but looked great.
Edward from zone 6, Kempton, US, says :
POISON IVY. You would have to use gloves, disinfect all your tools and equipment and wear long clothing when you did anything with it. Also, Poison Ivy grows very fast, and has large leaves.
Stephen Potyondi from Calgary, Canada, says :
BAOBAB. The dichotomy of having the one of the largest trees in the world turned upside down (again) by making them miniature is astounding.
Sarah from Melbourne, Australia, says :
CANNABIS SATIVA. When I was first exploring with bonsai and plants in general for that matter, I decided to try my hand at growing a bonsai marijuana. It grew for nearly two years, mostly inside during winter, it flowered well and in minuture. I even fertilized a flower and got 5x or so than normal, as in BIG for the plants size and then seeds. I thinks it's a strange plant for Bonsai. A: It's a bit naughty and dare I say it, illegal to grow, but also a very attractive plant, and B: it's never going to be a long term plant from the beginning but should only really last for a few years. However because it's easy to grow and fast, its babies can live on and on and on.
Bob Bowers from zone 11, Westminster, US, says :
ARGON. On a visit to Morocco several years ago, I saw many of these trees growing in the desert. There were goats climbing in the branches, eating the fruit! An amazing sight! An oil is extracted from the fruit and is used in a variety of ways, including cooking. I brought back about a dozen 1" diameter seeds and after several attempts, finally got a few to sprout. The trees seem to have a desirable shape for bonsai and the leaves are not too large. The only problem I can see is duplicating the dry, arid environment of the Moroccan desert. However, I believe that if sucessful, the Argon will make a unique and beautiful bonsai.
Wilson from Bangkok, Thailand, says :
FRANGIPANI. It is not a classical bonsai and it is very beautiful, the flowers are so pretty. I think that it would make a nice indoor bonsai.
George Wan from zone 4, Perth, Australia, says :
BANANA (Musa acuminata). I have only seen one example of a banana species cultivated as a bonsai. This was during a holiday in Singapore where I was touring the bonsai section of a botanical garden. I came upon an amazing grove of bananas no more than a foot tall growing in a shallow tray. One of the plants was even developing an inflorescence! The leaves of a banana plant grown in the ground are often several feet long and flowering/fruiting is often accompanied by death. In my limited experiments using this species, I have found that creating and maintaining a bonsai grove of bananas in Zone 4 conditions amounts to more than a challenge...
Melissa Jeswald Dec from zone 6a, Boxford, US, says :
POISON IVY (Toxicodendron radicans). Poison ivy, in addition to is obvious flaw as causing allergic dermatitus, is a trailing vine with fairly large leaves. Still, a bonsai master and instructor of mine (who collects specimens of native Northern trees) has sucessfully collected and trained a striking bonsai poison ivy! He found an old specimen that had grown a fat, woody trunk. It responds well to training and he created a magnificent bonsai with it. I would not recommend trying this, as the allergic reaction can develop at any time of your life, and it can be serious if it gets into your eyes. All tools used on a poison ivy would have to be washed very well. I have seen some thick poison ivy stumps that I might have tried to collect as bonsai, but I'm afraid of contracting a severe rash.
Larry from the UK, says :
TULIP TREE. Although not really that unusual, it has odd shaped, large, deciduous leaves; grows large flowers; and besides, jins and sharis would be psychadelic greens and purples. (I have worked with Tulip wood on a carpentary basis, and the colour is fantastic!)
John Mark Hongs from zone 6b, St. Louis, US, says :
THYME (Thymus vulgaris). I never expected that thyme could be used to create attractive bonsai. Imagine my astonishment when I learned that this garden-variety shrub can (with diligence and patience) be trained into beautiful, upright specimen with intricate nebari. The average specimen will grow to about 30 cm in the field, and is usually characterized by its mass of twisted branches. The difficulties that one initially encounters in cultivating this variety is that they have some difficulty adapting and rooting once they have been repotted. Furthermore, although you can (of course) always use wire to train the species, the best way to train thyme is by pruning. Despite the relative difficulty in developing thyme, they are remarkably rewarding, as its tiny flowers (white to pink) do not unbalance the overall appearance of the bonsai and are long-lasting (usually through to the end of summer, depending on your locale). The leaves too are pleasingly small and lanceolate, and greatly contribute to the overall suggestion of a small-scale tree. A well-developed specimen is extremely convincing, and can be trained to look like a single, twisting-trunk upright tree. I have seen several mame bonsai of this species and was completely astonished by its elegance and beauty.
Charlie Richey from zone 6, West Alexander, US, says :
WEEPING WILLOW. The willow is an odd case indeed. A beautiful bonsai when properly trained, the willow is an exeptional specimen as used as bonsai. I have learnt that the branches of a willow bonsai willow do not naturally "weep". This, at first perplexed me. So as I read into the matter i discovered that weights can be used to "make it cry!" (weep, bad joke) Because of this third element of training the bonsai, the weighting down of branches, accompanied with size training and wiring add an all-new dimension to this wonderful hobby and art form.
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