Firstly, what is a Bonsai plant? Basically, bonsai isn’t a plant, it is an art, a hobby, a method of keeping and growing miniature plants. Additionally, this “hobby” has been around for many years and can be a fascinating past-time. So, before you jump into the journey it might be best to take a few things into consideration.
Our method
Before I do anything else, I choose to work with plant species that will thrive in my part of the world. Certainly, that gives me a focus to only acquire plants that thrive where they are kept. Basically, I try to limit to self-induced pain or suffering of making bad decisions along the way. Despite my desires to have aspecific bonsai material, I try to stay away from creating issues down the road.
Chiefly, since I live in the Philippines, and on a small island called Cebu, and since it is 10-20 meters above sea level, I choose plants that can thirve in those conditions. Therefore, I choose plants that are good with tropical environments and hot wet weather. Accordingly, I start the Bonsai journey with these thoughts in mind.
Another aspect to consider, is my plants are selected for their ability to tolerate sunny and very hot weather. Though I can work aroung this a bit by placing plants in sem-shaded areas, we still get a lot of sun here. Certainly, I also consider water and humidity that my plants desire. Another issue is the type of substrate or soil needs. Before I get to select a plant or a potting, all of these issues are at the forefront. Besides, bonsai can be difficult enough as it is, why get materials that are going to make things even harder?
Things to avoid
Besides, plants requiring seasons do not grow well in my area. Correspondingly, a plant that cannot experience a very cold period will not do well here. Another issue will be humidity requirements, it is humid here. Furthermore, we have periods of tropical or monsoon rains that can dampen any substrate. Likewise, since we live near the equator the sun is absent from the north side of my house for almost six months of the year. Additionally the south side get the same treatment as the sun is in the northern hempsphere.
Conversely, pick the wrong plants and it will make your bonsai experience much more challenging. Though I can create many things to assist the environmental conditions of my bonsai, I have not wanted to try and change the weather. Evidently, bad decisions may deliver lifelong negative outcomes.
You can find something that suits your region
Don’t worry though, plants grow in many places, climates, and localities. Unless you live in the Arctic there should be a species of plant you CAN work with. For me that is the most important decision you can make before getting your trees. Eventually you will find interesting species that will thrive in your region.
Finally, if you start there I feel your hobby can focus on the next issues of keeping bonsai and give you the best chance to enjoy the hobby.
Plant list links and our bonsai blogs
| Scientific name | Other names |
|---|---|
| Annona muricata | Guyabano, Soursop, Graviola |
| Antidesma bunius | Bignay, Bugnay, Bignai, Chinese-laurel, Queensland-cherry, Wild Cherry |
| Antidesma pentadrum | Bignay-pugo |
| Bougainvillea | Bombil |
| Broussonetia luzonica | Samapguitang hombabao, Alukon, Philippine Birch |
| Buxus harlandi | Chinese boxwood |
| Callicarpa americana | NON-NATIVE, American Beautyberry |
| Callicarpa basilanensis | |
| Callicarpa erioclona | |
| Callicarpa Pedunculata | |
| Carissa macrocarpa | Natal Plum, Dwarf plum, Big num-num |
| Carmona retusa | Fukien Tea, Philippine Tea Plant |
| Cassia javonica | Balayong, Salingogon, Apostola, Palawan Cherry, Pink Shower |
| Casuarina equisetifolia | Agoho, Australian Pine |
| Colubrina asiatica | Kabatiti, Latherleaf |
| Delonix regia | Fire Tree, Flame Tree, Bulaklak ng Paraiso |
| Diospyros blancoi | Kamagong, Mabolo, Talang (fruit) |
| Diospyros ferrea | Bantulinao, Bantolinao, Black Ebony |
| Ficus concinna | Red balete, Strangler Fig |
| Ficus microcarpa | Baleteng liitan, Curtain Fig, Chinese Banyan, Green Island |
| Ficus nota | Tibig/Sacking tree |
| Flacourtia indica | Governor’s Plum |
| Gmelina elliptica | Mulawin aso Mulawin puso, Talungud |
| Gmelina philipensis | Bulongan, Talongon, Hedgehog, Parrot’s Beak |
| Holmskioldia sanguinea | Chinese Hat, Cup-and-Saucer, Parasol Flower |
| Hibiscus tilaceous | Malabago, Balibago, Lambago, Sea Hibiscus |
| Jasminum elongatum | Sampagitang-gubat, Sampaguitang dagat, Langhino, (Jasminum bifarium) |
| Jasminum sambac | Flower is the Sampaguita, National flower of the Philippines, Arabian Jasmina |
| Lagerstroemia indica | Melendres, Crepe Myrtle |
| Morus alba | Moras, Amoras, Amingit, Morere, White Mulberry |
| Morus nigra | Black Mulberry |
| Murraya paniculata | Orange Jasmine, Kambilog, Kaminung, Kambilog (potential horticultural variant is exotica) |
| Neltuma juliflora | Aromang dagat, Aroma, Mesquite (miss-id’d with Vachellia aroma, Vachellia farnesiana) |
| Pemphis acidula | Bantigue, Chonam |
| Phyllanthus sp. | Mabuhay |
| Plinia cauliflora | Jaboticaba |
| Podocarpus costalis | Texas |
| Podocarpus macrophyllus | Buddhist Pine, Yew Pine, Aureus, Miu-Roman Candle, Golden Crown, Golden Tip, Diamond Pearl, Red |
| Podocarpus maki | smal leaves |
| Podocarpus polystachyus | Sea teak |
| Premna microphylla | Argao Taiwan |
| Pterocarpus indicus | Narra |
| Rhizophora Spp. | Bakawan pansit pansiton |
| Serissa japonica | Snowrose, Thousand Stars |
| Streblus asper | Kalios, Bogta-e, Bogtalay |
| Tamarindus indica | Sampalok, Cebuano – Sambag, Tamarind |
| Terminala fontalia | Yangya |
| Trifidacanthus unifoliolatus | Vietnam Blue Bell, Philippine Bluebell |
| Triphasia trifolia | Tagalog/Bicol – Limonsitong kastila, Lemonsito |
| Tristaniopsis decorticata | Malabayabas, Bantigi |
| Ulmus parviflora | Chinese Elm |
| Vachellia aroma | Aroma, Aromang dagat (miss-id’d with Prosopis juliflora, Vachellia farnesiana) |
| Vachellia farnesiana | Sweet Acacia (miss-id’d with Vachellia aroma, Prosopis juliflora) |
| Vitex negundo | Lagundi/Chaste tree |
| Vitex parviflora | Molave, Visaya – Tugas or Tugas bato, Ilokano – Sagat |
| Vitex sp. | Mulawin surot |
| Wrightia religiosa | Water Jasmine, |
- Root rot even when you think you are doing things right
Root rot, not really a good news story. I thought it would be better for me to post my experience in the hope it helps even one person. I will show some of my learning through failure lessons. Oh joy! Though not every one of my failures comes with an informative picture, I will try… Read more: Root rot even when you think you are doing things right - Vitex parviflora page
Vitex parviflora is a species of plant in the family Lamiaceae, also known as smallflower chastetree or the molave tree. The name “molave” is from Spanish, derived from mulawin, the Tagalog word for the tree. It is also known as tugas in Visayan languages. In Ilokano it is known as sagat. I have completed my… Read more: Vitex parviflora page - Bonsai materials list
I have gotten a good start on the table for bonsai that you might grow in the Philippines. These plants are often called materials at collection. I have now or have heard about getting. Some are not native to the Philippines and others are still only available through import. I imported my first two shipments… Read more: Bonsai materials list - Fukien Tea; What are these bumps?
Fukien Tea plants can be very striking as Bonsai, but they can have these bumps appear. . I have been reading it can come from a fungal infection, bugs, or watering issues. I am not sure which one it is. Maybe someone else knows what this is caused by? It seems most of the new… Read more: Fukien Tea; What are these bumps?
Gallery images
Firstly, we are uploading pictures to show the parts of a plant that may help in identification. Secondly, we only have so many plants and my photography skills are not actually skillful. Finally, if it would help to see another angle or view, send us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture perspective posted.
Bonsai is still a journey
Albeit, I must admit that the more I learn the more I see how little I know. While I am trying to understand the plants so that I know what I have and to know how to care for it, I am finding more and more that the hobby is a place of various actors and many are just making a living with it. Those are not the hobbyists I guess, but it is the business I am experiencing here in the Philippines. Certainly it is no different in other countries. Obviously I was a bit naive.
Originally, I thought I would find sellers and trust they know the hobby, but I think they know the business and that is the need they have. Afterward, they are putting rice on the table. So nothing of this is a negative, it is just an awakening that I am going through in my hobby.
On a positive note
Despite my naive approach, I am learning. Futher I can still keep learning. Indeed I can keep trying and see what else I can learn. Meanwhile, I hope you get something useful from our bonsai pages, and I will keep trying to improve the pages, my hobby knowledge and hopefully my plants.