Page 47 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2015Q4

Bonsai Care
Bucida sp.

Common Names:
Black olive, Dwarf geometry tree,
Brier-tree.
Ming tree, Prickly tree, Spiny black olive,

Copyright © 2008 by D. L. Nickrent
General information:
Though commonly called black olive tree, this native wood ones will, but one rarely gets a soft wood cut-
of the upper Florida Keys (some consider it native, ting longer than 2 inches.
others do not) is not the edible olive we know and They can be grown from ‘tip’ cuttings (two or three
love, but does produce a small, black seed-capsule. clusters of leaves from the end of the branch). How-
Black olive is a 40- to 50-foot-tall evergreen tree with ever, tip cuttings are best grown with an automatic
a smooth trunk holding up strong, wind-resistant mist system. Even then, many do not survive.
branches, forming a pyramidal shape when young Propagation from seed. The tiny flower progresses to
but developing a very dense, full, oval to rounded green seeds, then tan and then brown in about two
crown with age. Sometimes the top of the crown will months. Gather the seeds as soon as they fall, for
flatten with age, and the tree grows horizontally. The they are more vital and willing to germinate in the
lush, dark bluish-green, leathery leaves are two to first ten days after they ripen. Seeds should be plant-
four inches long and clustered at branch tips, some- ed in large community pots in a well drained mixture
times mixed with the 0.5 to 1.5-inch-long spines of vermiculite, peat and loam, and allowed 25 to 35 Courtesy Wigert’s Bonsai Nursery
found along the branches. days for germination. Be patient, for they grow very
Bucida comes highly recommended by Paul slowly. When they are 2 inches tall, transplant them Bucida spinosa are a protected
species, harvesting from the
Lesniewicz, who says, “This delicate tree from Florida from the community pot to individual pots. Cover wild is prohibited in many
and the Caribbean grows into a bonsai almost by each pot with a plastic bag for 5 days and put in the areas.
itself.” An unusual bonsai subject which may increase shade. Keep in the shade for 3 to 4 weeks, being Above is a typical specimen
in popularity as an indoor tree. It is very salt tolerant, careful to keep them moist, but watch for and avoid in a 8-inch pot grown by
making it a good choice for bonsai lovers by the sea. powdery mildew. Once they are growing well, if you nurseries for the bonsai
market.
Family: Combretaceae wish to force them to grow faster and taller than
Lighting: Full sun. Its natural environment is the their usual 2 inches a year, bend down the branches
hottest parts of Florida and the Caribbean. lower than the growing tip. (Quoted from page 20,
Temperature: Grows well in zones 10B through Vol 4, No. 4 of “Florida Bonsai” magazine.)
11. Do not expose to freezing weather or better According to tropical bonsai grower, Mary Miller,
yet, temperatures below 40 degrees. A tender plant “The best way to grow them from seed is to allow
which has been grown successfully as an indoor the seed to drop directly from the tree into a tray of
bonsai. soil without touching the seed.”
Watering: Likes to be well-watered and should not Repotting: In the tropics most people wait until
be permitted to stay dry. May or June to root prune and repot Bucida. The
Feeding: Likes frequent fertilization which pro- key to timing is longer days and warm nights. Use a
motes vigorous growth. fast draining bonsai soil with a high sand and lime
Pruning and wiring: New shoots need to be short- content.
ened only by a little. It is best to pinch them back. Pests and diseases: No pests or diseases are of
In nature, the Bucida is generally windswept, which major concern but occasionally bothered by sooty
makes this an excellent choice for bonsai style. The mold and bark borer. Eryphide mites cause galls but
plant’s natural growth makes it ideal for bonsai. It no control is needed.
changes direction at every internode, making a bend Some species suitable for bonsai: Bucida buceras,
of 25 to 35 degrees, which can be incorporated into Bucida spinosa
the styling. Bibliography: “Florida Bonsai” magazine, Vol 4, No.
Propagation: From ‘tip’ cuttings, as seeds are dif- 4, page 20. USDA Fact Sheet ST-102, Mary Miller,
ficult to germinate. To propagate from cuttings, hard South Florida.
wood won’t work, even under a mist system. Soft

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