Normally, a bonsai candidate plant is one that is older and shows promise of being created into an interesting bonsai form.

But this A. obesum seedling, not quite 4-1/2 months old, looks promising for pre-training. Its caudex has “arabicum” traits…it is growing across the pot, not staying in a rounded form. Also, the top of the caudex had sprouted a crown of stems that have since ramified...there are branch buds growing along the length of the stems.





I will take pictures of the steps I will be taking to pre-train the plant to become a possible candidate for bonsai training, and will post them later.

(Edited to correct the plant's age.)

Wow, this is not even 4 mos old? How did it grow this big this fast? I have a month old seedlings but they are very tiny still.

Oops! My error...this tree is not quite 4-1/2 months old. I will correct this info above.

I grow my obesums in community trays and when the first true leaves appear, I begin a weekly alternating regimen of a weak solution of liquid rooting hormone and a weak solution of fish emulsion/seaweed fertilizer.


In the picture, note the seedling that has a stick placed next to it. This seedling ramified very early...it is the subject plant in this post.



Then at 2 months old I transplant into their own individual pots...for this batch I used 5" pots and had mixed a little bit of CRF into the media.

The plant has been growing outdoors exposed to some sun and rain...shaded mid-day by coconut fronds overhead. The media is kept moist...if no rain for a couple of days, then it is hand-watered.

Ok, what is CRF? mine are very slow growers. They are not even 2 inches tall and they are 1 and a half months.

CRF is controlled-release fertilizer...Osmocote is one brand name. They look granular at first, but when applied and absorbs water, they look like tiny beads called prills. The prills release fertilizer gradually over a two to four month period, depending on temperature and other factors. Plant nurseries use them in their soils. I mix a small amount into my potting media for transplanted seedlings and older plants...I don't use it in my media for sprouting seeds.



Gigi, when your seedlings have 5 to 6 true leaves, transplant them into fresh media and use a little bit of CRF. Apply rooting hormone liquid at planting time and two more times in successive weeks. It will take a couple of weeks for the CRF to begin to work. It is okay to nip the terminal apex at time of transplanting...you want branching right away. And keep the soil moist--never allow to dry out. In two months time your plants should look fat and happy.

You continue to give great information, Kadie.

Ken, I am glad to share my experiences here on ATP.

Reference using CRF...a little bit goes a long way. I made the mistake of mixing a tablespoon into the media of several 8" pots. (The directions for Osmocote 14-14-14 did not include measurements for planting in containers.) It was way too much fertilizer and made the plant grow too quickly, elongated, and lush with large leaves at the expense of flower production. Still learning from trial and error.

I too use Osmocote for my custom-mixed, potting soil. Since I am mixing 4-6 cf. at a time, I just throw in a couple of handfuls of the Osmocote. I don't measure but know, with so much potting soil, there won't be too much fertilizer released when watering.

Ken, for sure you know your custom mix works for you. You have had lots of experience growing plumerias, orchids, and other plants

I have just recently formulated another custom mix for my adeniums and plumerias. I should know in a couple of months or four whether this is the one, finally, for my plants and me; and no more experimenting with media mixes.

I typically make up 6 cf. of four mixes (actually six), one for general potting (houseplants such as fiddle leaf ficus, rubber trees, etc.); one for terrestrial orchids, plumeria, adenium, and the like; one for my huge outside pots, where I grow flowers and white butterfly ginger in the spring/summer and garlic (fall till late spring); and one for epiphytic orchids. Of those epiphytic orchid mixes, I make three different mixes, one for seedlings, one for Cattleya alliance types, and one for Phalaenopsis. Of course, when germinating seeds, I use an altogether different media. I am sure I greatly overdo everything, but hey, I try to be perfect in what I do. Its the dentistry training/experience that causes that.

Oh wow! Your plants are getting the very best in individualized treatment under your care!

I don't know about "the best", Kadie. More trial and error than anything else.

Kadie!

What is that nest looking-thingy that is nestled in between the 3 branches, on your last photo. It looks like you have den orchids on it.

I only use potting soil and perlite for all
My container plants, some get more perlite than than others. Depending on how dry or fast draining mix I need. Then always store bought orchids bark for all my orchids. Anything that is instant gratification and less work is fine with me.

GigiPlumeria said:
What is that nest looking-thingy that is nestled in between the 3 branches, on your last photo. It looks like you have den orchids on it.

Yes...it's a basket containing coconut husks and my den orchids are nestled in it.

Awwww