General information: Though commonly called 'black
olive tree', this native of the upper Florida Keys (some consider it
native, others do not) is not the edible olive we know and love, but
does produce a small, black seed-capsule. Black olive is a 40 to
50-foot-tall evergreen tree with a smooth trunk holding up strong,
wind-resistant branches, forming a pyramidal shape when young but
developing a very dense, full, oval to rounded crown with age. Sometimes
the top of the crown will flatten with age, and the tree grows
horizontally. The lush, dark bluish-green, leathery leaves are two to
four inches long and clustered at branch tips, sometimes mixed with the
0.5 to 1.5-inch-long spines found along the branches.
Bucida
comes highly recommended by Lesniewicz, who says, "This delicate tree
from Florida and the Caribbean grows into a bonsai almost by itself." An
unusual bonsai subject which may increase in popularity as an indoor
tree. It is very salt tolerant, making it a good choice for bonsai
lovers by the sea.
Family: Combretaceae
Lighting: Full sun - its natural environment is the hottest parts of Florida and the Caribbean.
Temperature:
Grows well in zones 10B through 11. Do not expose to freezing weather
or better yet, temperatures below 40 degrees. A tender plant which has
been grown successfully as an indoor bonsai.
Watering: Likes to be well-watered and should not be permitted to stay dry.
Feeding: Likes frequent fertilization which promotes vigorous growth.
Pruning
and wiring: New shoots need to be shortened only by a little. It is
best to pinch them back. In nature, the Bucida is generally windswept,
which makes this an excellent choice for bonsai style. The plant's
natural growth makes it ideal for bonsai. It changes direction at every
internode, making a bend of 25 to 35 degrees, which can be incorporated
into the styling.
Propagation:
From cuttings, as seeds are difficult to germinate. To propagate from
cuttings, hard wood won't work, even under a mist system. Soft wood ones
will, but one rarely gets a soft wood cutting longer than 2 inches.
Propagation
from seed. The tiny flower progresses to green seeds, then tan and then
brown in about 2 months. Gather the seeds as soon as they fall, for
they are more vital and willing to germinate in the first ten days after
they ripen. Seeds should be planted in large community pots in a well
drained mixture of vermiculite, peat and loam, and allowed 25 to 35 days
for germination. Be patient, for they grow very slowly. When they are 2
inches tall, transplant them from the community pot to individual pots.
Cover each pot with a plastic bag for 5 days and put in the shade. Keep
in the shade for 3 to 4 weeks, being careful to keep them moist, but
watch for and avoid powdery mildew. Once they are growing well, if you
wish to force them to grow faster and taller than their usual 2 inches a
year, bend down the branches lower than the growing tip. (Quoted from
page 20, Vol 4, No. 4 of "Florida Bonsai" magazine.)
According to tropical bonsai grower, Mary Miller:
"The
best way to grow them from seed is to allow the seed to drop directly
from the tree into a tray of soil without touching the seed. They rarely
grow from cuttings with any size.
They can
be grown from 'tip' cuttings (two or three clusters of leaves from the
end of the branch). However, tip cuttings are best grown with an
automatic mist system. Even then, many do not survive."
Repotting:
Repot in late winter, pruning roots only moderately. Use a fast
draining bonsai soil with a high sand and lime content. We recommend
Hollow Creek Farms Professional Main Bonsai Soil or Hollow Creek Farms
Double Screened Bonsai Soil. Always be sure to add Hollow Creek Farms
Micro Plus to the soil when potting your trees.
Pests
and diseases: No pests or diseases are of major concern but
occasionally bothered by sooty mold and bark borer. Eryphide mites cause
galls but no control is needed.
Some species suitable for bonsai:
Bucida buceras: Bahama black olive
Bucida spinosa: spiny black olive, dwarf spiny black olive
source from www.hollowcreekbonsai.com