8 Most Favorite Trees for Tropical Bonsai Enthusiasts
For bonsai enthusiasts, choosing the right type of tree is the main foundation before creating works of art. There are hundreds or even thousands of tree species that can be processed into bonsai, ranging from shrubs to large trees, from lowland trees to upland trees.
Tropical bonsai enthusiasts and artists generally prefer trees with certain characteristics, ranging from trees that have characteristics on their trunks or bark, fast growth, to trees with small leaves. Trees with these characteristics are quite common in tropical climates, both flower trees and fruit trees.
If you live in an area with a tropical climate and are planning to start bonsai, bonsai-passion.co.uk would like to suggest some of the tree species most frequently used by tropical bonsai artists, some of which are quite well known around the world. What’s the tree? Here’s the list:
1. Ficus
Ficus is a genus of plants that occur naturally in the tropics, consisting of about 850 species. These types of Ficus trees can grow as woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemi-epiphytes. The Ficus species most frequently subject to bonsai include Ficus microcarpa, Ficus neriifolia, Ficus salicifolia, and Ficus benjamina.
2. Premna
Premna is a genus of flowering plants from the Lamiaceae family. The genus itself was first described for modern science in 1771. Premna spread in tropical and subtropical areas ranging from Africa, South Asia, northern Australia, islands in the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.
3. Pemphis
Pemphis acidula is a tree that grows in rocky and sandy coastal areas. The tree only grows in tropical climates which are widespread on the coast of Southeast Asia. This tree is also known by various local names such as Santigi, Stigi, Centigi, Cantinggi, Drini, Kastigi, Mentigi, Setigi, Sentigi, Santigi, and Santiki. The santigi tree has slow growth, is hardwood, has a long life, and is resistant to saltwater as well as hot temperatures.
4. Sea Hibiscus
Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) has long been recognized as a roadside and beachside shade tree. In Southeast Asia, the Sea Hibiscus tree is often found growing wild in slightly wet areas with slightly moist soil. The tree itself can grow into a medium-sized tree with a height of 10 meters and has a wide canopy. Often the area under the Sea Hibiscus tree is a favorite place for animals to take shelter from the hot sun.
5. Water Jasmine
Water Jasmine (Wrightia religiosa) is a species of flowering and woody trees in the Apocynaceae family. This tree species is generally a plant used frequently in Indo-Chinese pagodas and elsewhere. Its beautiful flowers make this tree the right choice for both a bonsai tree.
6. Whistling Pine
Whistling Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) is an evergreen tree that can grow 35 meters tall in its wild habitat. This tree is widely used as a bonsai subject in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Specimens from Indonesia and those cultivated in Taiwan are considered the best Whistling Pine in the bonsai world.
7. Bougenville
Bougenville (Bougainvillea sp.) is a species of flowering plant that is very popular as an ornamental around the world. The growth of the tree can be in the form of dense shrubs or small trees that grow upright. Bougenville is one of the most common trees planted in the yard, garden, schoolyard or office, city park, and many are found growing wild. The paperflower tree, like most tropical trees, is very easy to grow and withstands long periods of heat and drought.
8. Tamarind
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a species of tree from the family Tamarindus. The tree has a rough texture, cracked and tough / can live in dry soil. The origin of this tree is thought to be from the savanna of East Africa where wild species are found, one of which is in Sudan. But since thousands of years ago, this tree has spread widely to Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In many tropical climates such as Indonesia, this tree is often found growing wild.
In addition, there are several other types of trees that are also often used in making bonsai in the tropics. It is:
- Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata)
- Limeberry (Triphasia trifolia)
- Siamese Rough Bush (Streblus asper)
- Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora)
- Boxwood (Buxus sp.)
- Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
- Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus)
- Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
- Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis) – only grows optimally in the highlands of the tropics
Of the 8 most favorite trees for tropical bonsai enthusiasts above, which one do you prefer? Or even you already have it?
If your favorite tree species isn’t on the list, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments so we can add your favorite tree.
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