Q for Padi56 re Bonsai tree trims.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by padi56

This male blue bar Ambilobe panther chameleon is a offspring from my old male blue bar, which will be my new
main breeding male now 18 months old.



Picture of my male Nosy Mitsio panther chameleon quite a rare chameleon now 14 months old when he gets a bit older will show more red around eyes and head depending on mood.

Very cool Pete. What sparked your interest in chameleons and Bonsai?


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Very cool Pete. What sparked your interest in chameleons and Bonsai?


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Well got hooked on Bonsai by my grandfather, as for chameleons after watching a program on TV.And quite avid amateur radio operator worked most countries world wide although not so active as I once was.Love all mechanical watches and studied the history of the RWC for over 50 years but in the end they are just inanimate things which is a lot different to keeping living things that rely on your care and responsibility to keep them alive.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well got hooked on Bonsai by my grandfather, as for chameleons after watching a program on TV.And quite avid amateur radio operator worked most countries world wide although not so active as I once was.Love all mechanical watches and studied the history of the RWC for over 50 years but in the end they are just inanimate things which is a lot different to keeping living things that rely on your care and responsibility to keep them alive.

Is there any bonsai and chameleon uncommon knowledge you’ve learned throughout your experience that you’d care to share? I’m fascinated and this thread actually led me to buy my own bonsai and try to raise it.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Is there any bonsai and chameleon uncommon knowledge you’ve learned throughout your experience that you’d care to share? I’m fascinated and this thread actually led me to buy my own bonsai and try to raise it.


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As for Bonsai always buy from a proper Bonsai shop if new to hobby use the correct proper Bonsai soils.Never be in a hurry let tree grow before styling never over water or let dry out completely.Chameleons read as much as you can about what species you want to keep and use correct housing heating and lighting and live food.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by padi56

As for Bonsai always buy from a proper Bonsai shop if new to hobby use the correct proper Bonsai soils.Never be in a hurry let tree grow before styling never over water or let dry out completely.Chameleons read as much as you can about what species you want to keep and use correct housing heating and lighting and live food.

I presume the chameleons are omnivores then? For some reason I thought they were herbivores.

I already messed up the first rule of bonsai, I bought mine from sams.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I presume the chameleons are omnivores then? For some reason I thought they were herbivores.

I already messed up the first rule of bonsai, I bought mine from sams.


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Well some chameleons will eat some flowers and greens especially the Yemen chameleons,but myself have never seen this with mine.Now my Yemen will mainly eat crickets and roaches, while the panthers there favourite are locusts and silkworms but will eat most live insects.But chameleons drink by licking the plants in there vivarium that you have sprayed with water.But I have trained mine to drink from my water spray bottle I squirt water into their mouth or on the tongue.Regarding there tongue it's quite long and very fast and accurate as they shoot it out to catch there pray food.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well some chameleons will eat some flowers and greens especially the Yemen chameleons,but myself have never seen this with mine.Now my Yemen will mainly eat crickets and roaches, while the panthers there favourite are locusts and silkworms but will eat most live insects.But chameleons drink by licking the plants in there vivarium that you have sprayed with water.But I have trained mine to drink from my water spray bottle I squirt water into their mouth or on the tongue.Regarding there tongue it's quite long and very fast and accurate as they shoot it out to catch there pray food.

I had an iguana on one of my projects and have video of him eating plants. I guess even though they’re all reptiles, there is many different eating habits between chameleons, lizards and iguanas. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a lizard eat anything beyond insects.

It’s a testament to your care for these creatures that you’ve trained a chameleon. That seems in and of itself a feat of extraordinary proportions.

Do you have to have a special license to import, own and breed the chameleons?


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I had an iguana on one of my projects and have video of him eating plants. I guess even though they’re all reptiles, there is many different eating habits between chameleons, lizards and iguanas. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a lizard eat anything beyond insects.

It’s a testament to your care for these creatures that you’ve trained a chameleon. That seems in and of itself a feat of extraordinary proportions.

Do you have to have a special license to import, own and breed the chameleons?


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All my chameleons are from captive stock so myself don't need a licence to sell private or to the trade.But if I was a trading as a reptile store business then I would need a licence to sell or import..

[padi56]

Originally Posted by carwash66

Just amazed by your bonsai trees.
My wife and I have really enjoyed admiring them.
Thank you for taking time to share them with us!

Well thank you both much appreciated.

[ROlesorusLEX]

A little bright spot in the gloom of winter

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[padi56]

Looks like a healthy tree looks to be one of the many Cryptomeria species.

[ROlesorusLEX]

Originally Posted by padi56

Looks like a healthy tree looks to be one of the many Cryptomeria species.

17 year Juniperus procumbens "Nana"

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[padi56]

Originally Posted by ROlesorusLEX

17 year Juniperus procumbens "Nana"

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I have one too great trees for bonsai.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Is there any bonsai and chameleon uncommon knowledge you’ve learned throughout your experience that you’d care to share? I’m fascinated and this thread actually led me to buy my own bonsai and try to raise it.


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We’re going to need pictures of this

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by brandrea

We’re going to need pictures of this

My man, you don’t want pictures of it right now.
It’s at best pathetic compared to the other trees on this thread. It cost me $20 from Sam’s.

There’s not much you could say about my tree that you couldn’t say about any war torn countries landscape or environment.

But for the spirit of the thread and maybe Pete can give me some pointers. Here ya go.



Please note, I know I didn’t wire it correctly. I wired it how it worked for me. Aesthetics aren’t my objective at this point.

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

My man, you don’t want pictures of it right now.
It’s at best pathetic compared to the other trees on this thread. It cost me $20 from Sam’s.

There’s not much you could say about my tree that you couldn’t say about any war torn countries landscape or environment.

But for the spirit of the thread and maybe Pete can give me some pointers. Here ya go.



Please note, I know I didn’t wire it correctly. I wired it how it worked for me. Aesthetics aren’t my objective at this point.

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You are a braver man than I I hope it brings you years of enjoyment!

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[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by brandrea

You are a braver man than I I hope it brings you years of enjoyment!

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I hope it is Peter approved within the next 20 yrs.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

My man, you don’t want pictures of it right now.
It’s at best pathetic compared to the other trees on this thread. It cost me $20 from Sam’s.

There’s not much you could say about my tree that you couldn’t say about any war torn countries landscape or environment.

But for the spirit of the thread and maybe Pete can give me some pointers. Here ya go.



Please note, I know I didn’t wire it correctly. I wired it how it worked for me. Aesthetics aren’t my objective at this point.

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First has pot got drain holes in bottom or is a pot within a pot, if not get a proper bonsai pot slightly larger then slip pot into new pot repack with bonsai soil.Tree could do with a trim the larger longer branches top of tree trim about a third to half off then let it grow.

[padi56]

False Cedar or sometimes called plum Cedar tree its quite a big tree now stands just over 4ft.6 inches tall and around 80 years old, picture taken of winter image later foliage will turn green.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by padi56

First has pot got drain holes in bottom or is a pot within a pot, if not get a proper bonsai pot slightly larger then slip pot into new pot repack with bonsai soil.Tree could do with a trim the larger longer branches top of tree trim about a third to half off then let it grow.

Thanks for the tips Peter. I trimmed some of the top branches. Ordered a proper pot as well.

Any idea what kind of tree it is? Sticker on the pot just says “bonsai”.



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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Thanks for the tips Peter. I trimmed some of the top branches. Ordered a proper pot as well.

Any idea what kind of tree it is? Sticker on the pot just says “bonsai”.



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Well not 100%sure but leaves look quite shiny could be what they commonly call a Fukien Tea Tree.
PS tree looks better after trim

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well not 100%sure but leaves look quite shiny could be what they commonly call a Fukien Tea Tree.

Just looked em up and I think you’re 100% correct. Now I’m worried because they’re apparently indoor trees and mine is an outside tree.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Just looked em up and I think you’re 100% correct. Now I’m worried because they’re apparently indoor trees and mine is an outside tree.


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Well in the real world. no trees grow inside some just come from different countries and temperature zone's.So your tree will need some indoor protection when temperature drops low, but still needs to be put so it gets plenty of light and free from cold drafts but not any over heating.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well in the real world. no trees grow inside some just come from different countries and temperature zone's.So your tree will need some indoor protection when temperature drops low, but still needs to be put so it gets plenty of light and free from cold drafts but not any over heating.

It’s on my front porch. Gets sun till about 10am. Then it still gets light and air but is shaded for the rest of the day. It doesn’t freeze here often, when it does I will bring it inside.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

It’s on my front porch. Gets sun till about 10am. Then it still gets light and air but is shaded for the rest of the day. It doesn’t freeze here often, when it does I will bring it inside.


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That should be fine but will say this in general these types of trees are mass produced in China mostly.They are grown in fields or huge poly tunnels then just stuck in a pot and shipped around the world.Now in general no drain holes in pot very poor soil and just meant to last a few months or so.But if tree has a good root structure a proper bonsai pot and soil with care from owner will last many decades so good luck with your tree..

[padi56]

Buxus Harlandi is native to southeast China, from Hong Kong and other Guangdong islands into Vietnam.Its quite a easy tree to keep but slow growing, and noted for its bark this one is around 40 years old now and quite a rare tree in the UK.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by carwash66

Peter, Your trees are truly amazing! Thank you for posting them.

Thank you much appreciated

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

This is something I really wish I would have gotten into during my early years. Fascinating and has to be gratifying.

Nether to old or young to get into keeping Bonsai trees.

[Andad]

Amazing pix and info Peter.

Great to see you posting so much.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Andad

Amazing pix and info Peter.

Great to see you posting so much.

Well thanks Eddie and Steve mentioned you ask him about myself when in hospital a few weeks ago. Had a rough time if it was not for the paramedics in the ambulance I would not be here now. Although very passion about the RWC and history of the brand,with many today they have become little more than £$€ object things. But in the end watches are just inanimate objects, my own true passion are my bonsai trees. I have a few trees that belonged to my grandfather, and my grandsons have caught the bonsai bug from me. And when I am gone they will inherit all my trees and who knows perhaps they will pass them on to there children. With Bonsai and little care from its owner trees could last hundreds of years not many hobbies can do the same.

[77T]

Glad that close call was sorted out Peter by the skillful paramedics.

Something that strikes me is that bonsai and watchmaking share traits of patience, skill, and meticulous attention to detail.

That last exemplar is a true masterpiece - a result of those traits coming to play.


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