I am needing some advice on two tree types that would make a good Bonsai. First, I was wanting to have a Bonsai that was grown in a pot of water (would put soil on bottom if needed), thus I would need a tree that can live in half an inch of water or the like. I would thank that some type of tree that grows in a swamp would work here, but what do you think?
Second, I was wondering if anyone knew of a Weeping Willow tree that would make for a good Bonsai. Most weeping willow bonsai that I have seen photos of only have a very small number of "weeping branches", but I would want to have one that could have tons like the real trees that you would see in the south. There are so many species of weeping willows that I do not know what one would be good to use to get the look that I would want and also have small leafs.
He is an example of what I think a true weeping willow bonsai should look like. I think to get it look for a bonsai you might have to use the broom style when training it though.
http://www.worth1000.com/entries/200000/200272wCEB_w.jpg (a perfect looking willow)
Also weeping willows like to grow on the edge of streams but is there any species that can survive growing IN the water?
Bonsai tree choice...advice needed.
Would be fun to find this one out myself... a swamp bonsai would be most interesting...
I am really looking into bald cypress for the water one...I still am trying to find a tree that would not be so common though. Everyone has a bald cypress...though they grow knees when in the water for a long time and that makes the trunk look cool.
I see to think I remember a type of wetland tree that was from the swamplands that grew some really gnarly roots, I am trying to find that one out though. I have most all of this Saikei planed out in my head, I even planed out how to keep the water from becoming stagnate.
You are not likely to get the 'knee' development on a bald cypress in a pot. I have seen some quite large potted ones kept in water and it just doesn't happen. The knee formation is the plants response to being in a larger , deeper body of water. If I remember correctly, it has to do with gas exchange in the root area.
You might look at banyan, but if you are after rarity that won't do the trick either. It is popular as a bonsai subject also. Try looking at tropicals fron the Amazon river basin. That area floods enough that you might find something that could tolerate the constant water.
If you want wild root formation, figs can't be beat. The arial roots of the strangler figs make a wonderful specimen. The scheflera arbicola is also a good producer of arial roots. Neither of these will tolerate standing water and both are popular indoor bonsai.
Water tupelo or swamp gum might work but the leaves are a bit large. On the other hand most gum trees have beautiful fall color. I suspect that it would need winter protection in your area. I think that Tennessee is the northern extent of its range.
Beth