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poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #2945

  • Pinkham
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Hey there,
Have any of you ever seen or tried to bonsai a poinsettia? There is a surplus/salvage store near my house that have them every year...dirt cheap. I'm thinking I might buy one and try it.

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #2946

  • Leslie
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Hey Lance,

I've never seen it done but why not try! :woohoo:
It could be a challenge to reduce those big leaves.
If they're so cheap, why not buy three...then you have more
to experiment with and a greater chance at success! :silly:

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #2947

  • Pinkham
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I would get a bunch, but they are poisonous to animals and I have 3 cats and 4 dogs.
I figure I can keep one away from the animals.
want a cat? HAHA. :)

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Last edit: Post by Pinkham.

Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #2956

  • Leslie
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I have never seen nor heard of a dog or cat that got sick because they know they're dangerous so they don't eat them. My Aunt always had at least two cats and two dogs at once and had pointsettias placed on the floor in front of her huge windows throughout the house.

So, are you going to try to bonsai one? I want to see pics! ;)

Ahemmm...you haven't said whether you like my *festive* colours!?!? :P

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #2963

  • leatherback
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Hi,

THese plants are somewhat poisonous, but not more than most other houseplants. (see section on toxicity here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_pulcherrima).

As for growing them as bonsai: I have not seen it done, but it can certainly be done: www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Euphorbia.html.

Laslie, since you are so clearly asking about it: I personally am of the generation that believes that the message should be clear. Adding lots of color reduces the clarity of the message in my view. If one of my students would hand in a report in those colors, I would advice him to re-style, or face the consequences..

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #2965

  • Leslie
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Oh, Jelle...my *festive* colours are done simply in the spirit of Christmas (for others that may be in the spirit of the holiday season). So, in quoting a very famous character of the season, Scrooge would say, "Bah! Humbug!" ;)

Thank you for sharing those two excellent links...very enlightening! I'm going to purchase a Poinsettia myself and try to make it into a bonsai! :cheer:

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #2966

  • Pinkham
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I learned something new today. My whole life I have been told they were toxic to animals. I don't know why I didn't research it myself.
So this means I can get a bunch :)
Leslie, I am going to attempt to bonsai a poinsettia. I will post pictures..
I'm so glad to be back.

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #3004

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Wow - thanks for the info guys - my mother-in-law brought us a couple of these plants, and after reading this, they are getting bonsai'd. Next time she comes to visit, she'll be in for a shock...

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #3012

  • Leslie
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Lance...I'm so glad you're back too! :P I was concerned :unsure: Yep! I just bought a small-ish Poinsettia, will enjoy the colour for a while thennn..."Bonsai"! I will post pics too, once I get around to taking them. It's so great now that you will have some indoor plants to work on, Lance! Have fun! ;)

Bensai...(chuckle)...no doubt you mother-in-law will be in for quite a surprise! :lol:

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Re: poinsettia bonsai? 12 years 3 months ago #3014

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Got itchy last night and started pruning - never realized Poinsettias are so sappy! It's like Ficus times 10 - white milky sap everywhere.... they look pretty cool though - good ramification. Don't know if they can be wired at all - stems and branches are very fragile and snap extremely easy. Anyone had any luck with this?

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