Orlando Bonsai Crossostephium Sinesis

Crossostephium Sinesis (A gift, Feb 2003) Orlando Bonsai Store

It is a tropic plant, and grows very fast. Very uncommon, however gaining attention as a bonsai. This tree is only 1 1/2 years old and has nearly a 1/2" trunk. Just letting it grow out and develop branches before working on this one. (September 2003)

April 2005 - Each year I find that I have to cut back the new growth to promote growth for the next year. You can see how the new foliage comes in a bit green.

I thought it about time to update this tree. As you can see the interior leaves have dried out and fallen away. Every year this tree does the exact thing. However it is not a problem because this tree buds back very well. In fact in the next picture you will see a lot of new buds popping out already. July 2005

I couldn't wait any longer. I had to finally make a bonsai of this tree. I'm am glad I did. It has grown so much in only 3 years. This was the size of a pencil when I got it and now it has great movement and character. The tree we trimmed back pretty hard to get it into this shape, but it won't take long for it to fill back in. March 2006

The problem area is right where the bottom right branch is connected to the trunk. As you can see it is pull the branch (due to the weight) away from the trunk. If left alone the branch will break off and expose the trunk to disease. Aug 2006

To fix the problem I have decided to use a 2" deck screw. It has enough thread to bite into the solid wood of the trunk and pull the branch in. Aug 2006

Compared to the picture above that showed the branch pulling away, you can now see how far the gap was. The branch is very secure and will be able to handle the dense foliage. Aug 2006

Again we start over. This tree was getting way to wild for me, so I had to prune it back hard. This year I will do my best to keep the growth in check. Trunk again has thickened even more. Mar 2007

In this picture you can see two very small yellow flowers in the center of the foliage. In the Fall these tree flower, however they should be pulled off as soon as they show because it causes the tree to die back a bit.

In the spring of 2004 I removed about 75% of the branches to grow clippings. This left a very curvy truck that has grown to about 1 1/2" in such a short period of time. However the tree put out new shoots almost immediately and is back to its bushy self. I'm not certain when I will turn this into a Bonsai, but it is promising to be something very special. (December 2004)

This is the trunk this huge canopy has been hiding. It is only a 2 1/2 years old and already over a 2" trunk. It has great bark and lovely movement. I believe next year this will make the transition to a bonsai. July 2005

After a summer of growing this tree looks awesome (if I saw so myself) I have not trimmed this tree at all this year. It simply grows to be a bonsai. I will work it a little bit this year just to thin it out out to let some light in. The only problem I have is that the lowest right branch is getting too heavy and is splitting the trunk from the weight. I will either have to secure the branch with a wood screw, remove the branch, or remove a lot of the weight. Aug 2006

The screw worked perfectly and is hidden well enough that it won't show from the front. In time the screw will cover over. Aug 2006

As long as I was working on the tree anyway, I figured I might as well wire out the top. The crown of this tree was to compact and a lot of light was being blocked. I spread out many of the top branches to open up this tree. Right now it looks bottom heavy because the top foliage now needs to fill in. However in a very short time this tree will fill in and be show ready. Aug 2006

Authorized Joshua Roth Dealer

TOP OF PAGE

Case studies last updated: Jan. 2008