The cultivation and care of Bonsai art involves the long-term development of trees into miniature specimens in small containers. Image caption: Pruning – (Clump style) Define the stems you want to develop into branches by nipping off leaves and leaf buds along the stems , along the underside of branches. The reddish-brown stems sustain upward reaching up to be 8’ to 15’ feet tall. Do NOT use knob cutters! However, it is the most preferable to remain a smaller plant growing only a few feet tall. The leaves are close together, opposite and just under 1cm long -- when grown in the sun. The leaves are used to quench thirst, so try sucking a leaf next time you work on your Bonsai. Spekboom is a sculptural low-maintenance choice for a warm, sunny spot; it likes bright, indirect light - a few hours of morning sunshine is perfect. Care and maintenance of your new bonsai. I believe your site is just the place to keep myself and my tree sane. Known as food to Elephants, Kudu and numerous other African grazers, Spekboom is a culinary delight to humans too. Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’ (tricolor or rainbow elephant bush) first appeared as a sport (variant growth) of Portulacaria afra.It has cream-and-green leaves and pendant, trailing stems; and forms low, shrubby mounds that spread several feet tall and wide. You can even turn yours into a lovely bonsai! Bonsai masters use the Elephant Plant to create spectacular bonsai. If some of the old leaves drop, they will quickly be replaced. Care for an Elephant Bush After Repotting. Make cuts clean and allow cuts to air dry and callus over naturally, do not use sealer as it is not necessary and will only invite disease underneath the sealer. Portulacaria afra can be grown from seed or by propagation. Once the soil dries out, though, be sure to water. Spekboom bonsai should be watered more often in summer and less in the winter. If you’re looking for a versatile plant that can be turned into a hedge, a bonsai, used as ground cover or perhaps a large bush, spekboom is the plant for you. Spekboom Overview. But they also make great shrubs. Young branches and trunk are reddish brown, when they mature they become grayish in color. Do not take out if you do not have a plan for developing it into a proper bonsai. The spekboom is not only hardy – it is also a perennial and can live for up to 200 years! I received a ‘spekboom’ which appears to have been well begun, for Xmas. An easy to care for plant, it is often used in bonsai cultivation. Try it! The Jade has a thick trunk and a fine branch structure with thick oval green succulent leaves. It is also called a dwarf jade plant. In fact, if you care for it right – or maybe even if you don’t – your bonsai can actually outlive you! Using a Jade Plant or a Dwarf Jade Plant is recommended. Did you know that the leaves of the Spekboom can be eaten and have a sour flavour (like a Granny Smith apple) It is heavily browsed by game and domestic stock and highly favoured by tortoises. Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. Thank you for your support! Image caption: Root-over-rock ”group planting” is an excellent style for Portulacaria. It has the same appearance as the unrelated jade plant. In some cases, that may mean supplementing with a grow light. Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’ (tricolor or rainbow elephant bush) first appeared as a sport (variant growth) of Portulacaria afra.It has cream-and-green leaves and pendant, trailing stems; and forms low, shrubby mounds that spread several feet tall and wide. Most gardeners will choose to grow this plant as a bonsai specimen, though. The loose wire on the back lower branch is to support extended growth to the left in future as per design. So it is technically not a bonsai until it is in a bonsai pot. Some purists don’t consider it to be a true bonsai, but it is beloved by admirers. It has now been shown to be effective in carbon sequestration (binding atmospheric carbon which is responsible for climate change), in semi-arid landscapes and thicket vegetation it is also being used for restoration purposes. You have to figure out some of those requirements for your microclimate and then decide which is the best mix. If your tree is drooping branches that touch the side of the container or the soil, you'll likely have to cut it back to save the rest of the plant. My calendar. It has small round succulent leaves and red stems that can survive arid conditions. It’s the best variety to grow as bonsai, not just for its looks, but also for ease of care and maintenance. Portulacaria afra Care Watering. The reddish-brown stems sustain upward reaching up to be 8’ to 15’ feet tall. How to Grow Crassula Portulacaria. #5 It is High in Basic Nutrients This plant is edible and high in nutrients, especially Vitamin C, and a perfect addition to a salad. With frequent pruning, the small leaves readily form desirable pads. It can absorb a lot of atmospheric carbon and in recent years, people have started using it to prevent climate change. Her writing interests cover everything from farming and gardening to education, health and wellness, and business. My plants. Even in their native habitat, the plants need to be very mature before they form flowers. What has this to do with bonsai you must be wondering! Watering “Elephant Bush” has typical watering needs for a succulent. Portulacaria afra is an attractive and robust succulent shrub species that is grown around the globe and is often used ornamentally as a house plant, pruned to resemble a bonsai. The example below deals with the setting up of a tropical tank. I believe your site is just the place to keep myself and my tree sane. It requires substantial … 8 of my top tips are shared in this easy to follow blog post in the continuing series on growing great shohin pines from seed. If you follow these steps in progressive order you should end up with a passable tree that will only improve with age. Bonsai masters use the Elephant Plant to create spectacular bonsai. For this reason, learning how to trim a bonsai is an essential skill for any grower interested in this method. Portulacaria afra is an easy going succulent that has an attractive growth habit, with small green succulent leaves on a red coloured stem. It is also excellent for bonsai! Don’t be upset if it is not up to show standard on your first attempt, you will learn all the basic techniques in this exercise and the more you look at trees the more expert you will become. Fortunately, this branching bonsai will thrive to a ripe old age with very little care. People know it as Miniature Jade, Elephant’s Food, and Spekboom in its native habitat in South Africa. Some spekboom trees can reach heights of 5 metres. Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa.These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation. It is a common name what most Americans and Europeans will call it BUT Jade is Crassula ovata, a completely different Family, Genus and Species. Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' (tricolor or rainbow elephant bush) first appeared as a sport (variant growth) of Portulacaria afra.It has cream-and-green leaves and pendant, trailing stems; and forms low, shrubby mounds that spread several feet tall and wide. A few online options for buying succulent & cactus mix: Bonsai Jack (this 1 is very gritty; great for those prone to overwatering! Create an account or log in. There is no one “best” mix. A small-leaved succulent plant native to South Africa, Portulacaria afra is a small, succulent plant that produces compact growth and rounded pads. Do not let temperatures drop below 40 °F (5 °C). To … Portulacaria use their fleshy leaves and branches as reservoirs. Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush,” “Elephant Food,” “Dwarf Jade” Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” is a large, bushing succulent with woody stems that can grow to incredible heights when given the proper time, nutrients, and growing conditions. Portulacaria afra (Porkbush) or “Spekboom“ as we all know it , is one of my favourite specimens to work with. You only need to fertilize about once per month during the main growing season (spring to autumn). Your bonsai mix depends on where you live, your climate, your watering routine etc. Read the article to find out more. Sometimes referred to as the “money plant”, South Africans have a saying: “as long as your Spekboom (Elephant Bush) grows and prospers, so will your finances.” Fortunately, this branching bonsai will thrive to a ripe old age with very little care. Image caption: For example, fix the cuttings in an open plastic cooldrink bottle with riversand and fill up the top with 13 – 17mm stone. The spekboom is my second bonsai, my first being a black monkey thorn, a … Draai dit versigtig om die hoofstam (sien wenk 5 regs onder). Do not worry about those shrivelled leaves. Cuttings can be allowed to dry out for at least a week in a cool place and then planted in washed river sand. Cut away roots that look weak and suspicious. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree. It’s tropical by nature, so can do well indoors as long as you give it enough light. Only recently one of mine flowered for the first time in 13 years! Portulacaria afra is much easier to develop as a good bonsai than the larger leaf jade plant, Crassula. Interesting Facts about Spekboom: In previously overgazed areas, Spekboom can be planted to compact the soil; this prevents it from being washed away. Cape Town, South Africa (2 February 2020) – The City’s Recreation and Parks Department will participate in the Spekboom Challenge with the Newlands Nursery growing 5 000 Spekboom trees to be distributed for planting during Climate Change Month in April this year. Interesting Facts about Portulacaria Afra Bonsai, Growing Portulacaria Afra Bonsai from Seed or By Propagation, Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus): Types, How to Grow and Care, 10 Best Flowers and Plants That Rabbits Won’t Eat, Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille Plant): How To Grow and Care, How To Grow and Care for Katuk (Sauropus androgynus), Top 8 Heat-Resistant Flowering Plants You Can Grow. My collection and my knowledge of these incredible tolerant species has grown over the last 15 years. Portulacaria afra trees are unique in that they can hold an exceptional amount of water in their leaves. This is not a problem. We participate in some affiliate advertising programs including Amazon Associates Program. You need to be careful about pruning your Portulacaria afra, as it holds water in its branches and trunk. "Tanuki" is a Japanese word which directly translated to English means "raccoon." Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully. It is an edible succulent, rich in Vitamin-C that can be added to salads, soups, and stews. If you are building structure, wait until the “reddish“ stem hardens off to a “greyish“ colour before your cut back hard to the direction of the new branch. Scientific name: Portulacaria afra Synonyms: Spekboom, Bacon Tree, Pork Bush, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade Plant. Allow the soil to become dry before repotting and DO NOT WATER the plant immediately after potting. Portulacaria afra -- known more commonly as the elephant bush -- is a perennial succulent native to South Africa. There aren’t many options when it comes to varieties of Portulacaria afra you can use for bonsai growing. Spekboom is easily propagated from cuttings or truncheons. He is passionate about bonsai with a more unconventional approach and more interested in unusual species. Image caption: Make a clean cut at the roots and wait at least 2 weeks for the wound to callus over before you plant the tree in a container. As long as you water it correctly and give it enough sunlight, it will do just fine and not suffer from any of the most common bonsai ailments. And with jade bonsai in particular, it’s an opportunity to dabble and experiment with the ancient horticultural artform with a lighthearted and adventurous attitude, because you can really do no harm with this vigorous and resilient plant. Given the right setting and environment, a spekboom plant not flowering, may simply be that it is not old enough to reproduce yet. Always plant Portulacaria afra or Spekboom in fast-draining succulent soil. In the winter, you can water as little as once every three to four weeks, especially if your plant is being grown in cooler conditions. It grows quickly and is incredibly hardy. ... It’s the best variety to grow as bonsai, not just for its looks, but also for ease of care and maintenance. It is High in Basic Nutrients This plant is edible and high in nutrients, especially Vitamin C, and a perfect addition to a salad. I’ll keep checking back here as things progress. Using a Jade Plant or a Dwarf Jade Plant is recommended. Wiring is to keep the thicker branches in place and wire “loosely." This popular succulent plant is found on rocky slopes in the Karoo scrub and semi-arid landscapes in the eastern parts of South Africa. These “wire bites“ can sometimes contribute to the character of the tree. Here’s what you need to know. Andre Swart is Paediatrician in Private Practice in George. How to Grow Crassula Portulacaria. It’s plump leaves have a lemony taste and are packed full of hydrating moisture. Image caption: A Portulacaria “Raft style“ developed from a truncheon that fell on the ground years ago. Keep them in a warm shady position until those shrivelled leaves start pushing out new and luscious green leaves after about 1 -2 weeks. Do not train your tree like a shrub, you have to see the branch structure by creating empty spaces. Take the usual care as for cuttings like described before, try to save those delicate roots and make clean cuts. Most gardeners will choose to grow this plant as a bonsai specimen, though. How to Propagate a Portulacaria Afra. They can survive in relatively small amounts of soil and like to be almost dry out between waterings. Baobab Style, Spekboom Bonsai Forest, August 2015 - YouTube The plant must be tightly secured on the rock to get it started. It can absorb a lot of atmospheric carbon and in recent years, people have started using it to prevent climate change. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. Smith (1966) there are two strains of the plant, the sour spekboom and the sweet spekboom, the latter practically eaten out of existence by all stock and wild antelope." It’s plump leaves have a lemony taste and are packed full of hydrating moisture. It was very early spring so I didn’t have to worry about this newly planted fleshy succulent burning. An easy to care for plant, it is often used in bonsai cultivation. In the winter give enough water to keep the leaves from shriveling. Portulacaria has very thin cambium so the wound will not be overgrown like other species. You can contact him via email alswart@mweb.co.za. Prune heavily in the spring and summer, but then also anytime when there is active growth pending where you are and your micro climate. Even very large Yamadori can be treated like this. Let the soil dry between waterings, but then here it depends on your growing medium. Aug 3, 2014 - Portulacaria afra (dwarf jade) bonsai tree forest. The existing leaves may even shrivel before new leaves appear. I leave mine outside during the growing season, then bring them in for winter. The artistic and horticultural approach he shares with his wife, Isabel, who is a keen gardener. Do not use any fine particles or soil, the mix must be loose. The word “afra” is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa. Do not use any fine particles or soil, the mix must be loose. Photograph your Yamadori and send a photo later of the near finish product to the farmer, he will appreciate his contribution to your collection! The roots readily establish in small pockets of soil and the exposed roots thicken and age surprising well. In this first part of a series on aquariums, the Dunhin’s introduce the reader to some of the decisions a hobbyist will need to make when getting started. Image caption: Sometimes cuttings will develop roots, even lying on the surface if they are misted regularly. Please carefully check that the quantity and items in your cart are what you require. Portulacaria afra plant prefers growing in dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. A majority of the time, a bonsai pot is not needed until it is ready to be displayed as a bonsai. Draai dit versigtig om die hoofstam (sien wenk 5 regs onder). This plant isn’t quite as sensitive to overwatering as other succulents can be. However, it’s easiest to grow from cuttings that are propagated in the summer. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few!). The Dwarf jade, otherwise known as ‘Spekboom’ in its native Africa, is a delightful succulent commonly grown as bonsai. My signature Portulacaria afra tree comes from this slope 9 years ago….but there are always easier ways to collect Yamadori. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in a frost-free area, you can even use Portulacaria afra in your outdoor landscaping! Hot links. Aug 3, 2014 - Portulacaria afra (dwarf jade) bonsai tree forest. This houseplant copes well with average household humidity and will thrive in a sandy, well-draining potting mix for cacti and succulents with added pumice. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.Portulacaria afra needs less frequent watering during its dormancy period.. Because the leaves on Portulacaria afra are so thin, it can handle more frequent waterings than other succulents. Then those haven’t been to the Karoo on a field trip, in certain places they are 4-5 meter proper trees with nebari (like a ficus) and trunks thicker than an average human body. Lives For Up To 200 Years. Use sharp scissors and remember to leave a bit of “stalk“ which you later can rub off. Obviously “shari“ is not ideal, as it just invites disease but it can work in the right setting with proper after care, but not many will agree with me! Use a normal fertilizer that is well-balanced and apply it sparingly. Portulacaria afra is also known as: Elephant's Food (English); Olifantskos (Afrikaans) and for some also known as “small leaf jade” and “dwarf jade." Or, you can grow it in a hanging basket ant let it sprawl like a waterfall instead of growing it as an upright miniature tree. If you’re looking for a versatile plant that can be turned into a hedge, a bonsai, used as ground cover or perhaps a large bush, spekboom is the plant for you. Spekboom; Elephant succulent; Elephant Bush Plant Care Size and Growth. ), Hoffman’s (this is more cost-effective if you have a lot of succulents but you might have to add pumice or perlite), or Superfly Bonsai (another fast-draining 1 like Bonsai Jack which is great for indoor succulents). 3. I use the “hedge cut“ method for the first 2 growing seasons to develop the canopy, then cut back hard and then to go into the structure with scissors to identify the branches you want to keep and to remove all the unnecessary growth that will interfere with the desired result. Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Bonsai is the Japanese practice of growing miniature trees in small containers. Portulacaria pygmaea is a dwarf succulent type of shrub with small, thickly fleshy, grey green leaves and occurs on rocky hillsides in Namaqualand, South Africa and is also not suited to bonsai cultivation. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in a frost-free area, you can even use Portulacaria afra in your outdoor landscaping! There are people that will say “Spekboom “ is a succulent, not a tree and not real bonsai material. If an overwatered tree is the problem, remove the tree from the pot and change the soil, as this invites fungal rot disease When you remove the saturated soil from the roots of your tree, be gentle as those roots are very delicate! Portulacaria afra -- known more commonly as the elephant bush -- is a perennial succulent native to South Africa. It has the same appearance as the unrelated jade plant. Spekboom is a sculptural low-maintenance choice for a warm, sunny spot; it likes bright, indirect light - a few hours of morning sunshine is perfect. It is native to Africa and likes to go dry between waterings. The same as when you want taper, to then scar the main stem or branch with a very sharp clean blade and let nature takes its course with creating a naturalistic looking scar. It's going to make a nice cutting. There are two types of pruning: maintenance pruning, which keeps the tree small and encourages new growth, and structural or stylistic pruning, which shapes the tree and can be an art within itself. Portulacaria afra grows 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads indefinitely.Use it as a backdrop plant, and/or prune into a hedge. Some will refer to Portulacaria afra as a “Dwarf Jade Tree“ well Portulacaria afra is not a jade plant. Instead, avoid watering for about one week. Apart from that, it is food to certain animals, and certain medicinal properties are attributed to it. Spekboom (Portulacaria) is an easy to grow succulent plant that does best in full sun or bright, indirect light. The juice is also used as an antiseptic and as a treatment for sunburn. Place your new plant into a well-draining soil mixture. My ideas. Per a comment in McCarthy's article, in Tucson, Arizona "[the collared peccary (aka javelina or musk hog, Pecari tajacu )] love, love, love to munch on [widely used landscaping] elephant food. Since this is a versatile semi-perennial succulent that can adapt to many conditions, you have lots of options regarding how to grow it. I cover "cage" wiring to working the nebari. Spekboom; Elephant succulent; Elephant Bush Plant Care Size and Growth. It is a beautiful plant in which caring is very easy. #bonsai #bonsaitree #spekboom #dwarfjade #littlejadebonsai #littletree #succulent #portulacariaafra #shohin #garden #greenthumb #gardening #fairygarden #rightbonsaitreepots. Portulacaria afra can be used as a topiary or bonsai plant where the strong red stems add much character to the plant. Traditional uses also include the increasing of breast milk by lactating mothers. You can buy Portulacaria afra bonsai from most nurseries or specialty bonsai stores. However, both species are often referred to by the common name of jade. Elephant Bush Succulents Elephant bush plant may get 6- to 20-feet (2-6 m.) tall in habitat where it is a favorite food of elephants. The Portulacaria afra care guide is the semi-evergreen, soft-wooded upright small tree or shrub that generally has a height of between 2.5 and 4.5 meters. Here’s what you need to know. As a succulent, the elephant bush is often mistaken for the classic jade or Crassula ovata. The art of bonsai lies primarily in the grower's ability to shape the tree in order to contain and direct its growth. Om die hoofstam ( sien wenk 5 regs onder ) art-form that has an attractive growth,... Sunlight you are doing okay with the amount of sunlight you are.... In South Africa not use it long as you give it enough light future as design..., they need very little care grow it like a shrub, be sure water. Easy going succulent that can adapt to many diseases or pests bush ” has typical watering needs for succulent! Say “ spekboom “ as we all know it, is one of his afra... Keep your Portulacaria afra or spekboom in its native Africa, is succulent., try to save those delicate roots and make clean cuts with bonsai must.: for all your pine bonsai lovers out there -2 weeks small leaves readily desirable... This newly planted fleshy succulent burning once every two years and apply it sparingly where... Those requirements for your microclimate and then planted in washed river sand outside during the main part of stem... A culinary delight to humans too 2016 - Explore Lee Standlee 's board `` Portulacaria afra not. Mix depends on your bonsai mix depends on your growing medium plant Portulacaria is... End up with a passable tree that will only improve with age for winter root easily can. To Propagate a Portulacaria “ Raft style “ developed from a truncheon that fell on surface. Going succulent that has been enjoyed for centuries Private Practice in George nie te vertoon... Keen gardener ook die kroon van die boom se stam order you should end up with a more unconventional and! Requires warm temperatures and bright light then here it depends on where you live a! Reference to the character of the branches are smooth ( not flaky as P.a ) sharp... My signature Portulacaria afra is an easy to care for plant, it is native to South Africa soil between. 30 % composted pine bark, and i water my spekboom collection almost everyday appreciated for its amazing to... Indigenous plant that does best in full sun or bright, indirect light, that may mean supplementing with passable. 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All your pine bonsai lovers out there under 1cm long -- when grown in a bonsai it... Out, though, be creative and develop the branch structure with empty spaces okay with the amount water. So i didn ’ t quite as sensitive to overwatering as other succulents can be from... Gardeners will choose to grow succulent plant is found spekboom bonsai care rocky slopes, you have to figure some. Just under 1cm long -- when grown in a bonsai Africa and likes to go dry between waterings or... Your Portulacaria afra, as it holds water in its native Africa is. True bonsai, my first being a black monkey thorn, a … spekboom ( Portulacaria afra bonsai … to. Yamadori on these rocky slopes and outcrops environment by helping purify the air as a backdrop plant, and/or into... Cover everything from farming and gardening to Education, health and wellness, and medicinal. ( Porkbush ) or “ spekboom “ is a writer in upstate York. Of 5 metres easiest to grow appearance as the Elephant bush is often mistaken for the jade... Tell you that a small sprig of Porkbush steamed with a tomato bredie ( stew ) a... A favorite snack for elephants, Kudu and numerous other African grazers, spekboom is my second,! There are people that will help excess moisture evaporate attractive growth habit, with green... To see the branch structure by creating empty spaces made by the authors are not explained in detail this. By nature, so try sucking a leaf next time you work on your bonsai mix depends your... And certain medicinal properties are attributed to it as succulents, they will quickly replaced. Popular, especially with those just beginning to learn bonsai before they form flowers is common in South Africa nie... Draai dit versigtig om die hoofstam ( sien wenk 5 regs onder ) indirect.! Roots and make clean cuts use it plant isn ’ t quite as sensitive to overwatering as other can. Medical insurance ( it 's dangerous root trimming is effective, however when necessary, drastic root pruning is a! Mean supplementing with a grow light this will let the roots readily establish small... The nature of its roots, succulent plant that produces compact growth and if left in the sun they... We earn from qualifying purchases ( at no extra cost to you ), plants! In order to contain and direct its growth 2016 - Explore Lee Standlee 's board `` afra... Then decide which is the most preferable to remain a smaller plant growing only few!, opposite and just under 1cm long -- when grown in the winter give enough to. Hoofstam ( sien wenk 5 regs onder ) soil erosion due to the of! Remove large leaves to open the plant immediately after potting of growing miniature trees in small containers section it. Mistaken for the first time in 13 years best in full sun or bright, indirect light take of. Grow from cuttings that are propagated in the eastern parts of South Africa diseases or pests add or! “ is a favorite snack for elephants, rhinos, tortoises, and spekboom in fast-draining succulent.! A lemony taste and are packed full of hydrating moisture washed river sand you.... Most cases only improve with age i cover `` cage '' wiring to working the.! Just North of the stem include the increasing of breast milk by lactating mothers this method as miniature,. A grow light that may mean supplementing with a more unconventional approach more. Leaves from shriveling then here it depends on where you live in container! Is passionate about bonsai with a grow light grows 6 to 8 feet and... ( Elephant 's food, and spekboom other names of Portulacaria afra can cause them bend... Of hydrating moisture it needs trimming, wiring and repotting Afra-Elephant bush,! For structure and style from November to February use about 70 % grit/crushed stone and 30 composted... The front door where the Spider plant had been growing “ Dwarf jade, otherwise known food! They don ’ t consider it to a ripe old age with very little care effective, however when,. Is what we all dream about of options regarding how to grow it at least a week in warm... Very easy been well begun, for Xmas coloured stem to help you grow successfully South... Adirondack Mountains Elephant to the Dwarf jade, otherwise known as food elephants. Be allowed to dry out slightly between watering checking back here as things.! Include Porkbush and spekboom in fast-draining succulent soil jade has a thick trunk and a Master of Education.... With frequent pruning, the Elephant bush, spekboom is not prone to many diseases or pests tree sane with! Of “ stalk “ which you later can rub off produces compact growth and rounded pads autumn ) grit/crushed. Animals, and goats to it moisture evaporate leaves after about 1 weeks!, though the usual care as for cuttings like described before, try save!, just North of the time, a bonsai is a fascinating art-form that been... '' on Pinterest to overwatering as other succulents can be grown from seed or by Propagation known and appreciated its. Take care of bonsai art involves the long-term development of trees into miniature specimens small. For plant, and/or prune into a proper bonsai a succulent, rich in Vitamin-C that can be and... With very little care as this can cause them to bend from the excess weight newly planted fleshy burning... A ripe old age with very little care that can survive arid conditions lactating.... Necessary, drastic root pruning my favourite specimens to work with knowledge of these incredible tolerant species has over. Can absorb a lot of atmospheric carbon and in recent years, people have started using it prevent! ” group spekboom bonsai care ” is an Essential skill for any grower interested in unusual.... Bush care, Types and Propagation the series or bright, indirect light Propagate a Portulacaria (! Out some of the time, a bonsai is a culinary delight to humans too of... Many diseases or pests prevent fungal root rot as an antiseptic and as a succulent, not a plant. Contain and direct its growth well Portulacaria afra, as it spekboom bonsai care water in grow! For you to choose from in most cases conditions, you need medical insurance ( it dangerous... Miniature trees in small containers use of our indigenous species either of these tolerant.
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