The plant I ship is about 8in - 1ft tall. It is not a bonsai yet but a material for possible bonsai.
It can be trained as upright or cascading bonsai / tree
Last two pictures are those of actual plants I currently have.
Combined shipping: If bought with other plants that I sell, shipping is combined and discounted.
Elephant bush, Portulacaria afra, is a perennial succulent
shrub from South Africa that is a popular succulent garden plant around
the world. It is easily grown as a seasonal accent plant or low
maintenance houseplant in our part of the world. Also sometimes called
elephant food or elephant plant; dwarf jade, miniature jade or small
leaf jade (but not related to jade plant, Crassula ovata);
porkbush; or spekboom (in Afrikaans) or other common names in Africa, it
is found on rocky outcrops and slopes from the Little Karoo in the
Western Cape to the Eastern Cape northwards into KwaZulu-Natal,
Swaziland, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Province and further north into
Mozambique.
Although it is considered to be in the purslane plant family
(Portulacaceae), molecular phylogenetic studies suggest this genus
should be in the Didiereaceae, a group otherwise found only in
Madagascar. Recent research has shown P. afra is an excellent
‘carbon sponge’, with the ability to efficiently use more carbon from
the air than most other plants (since it can use both normal and CAM
pathways to grow despite adverse climatic conditions) and can therefore
remove more carbon from the atmosphere than an equal amount of deciduous
forest.
This is a soft-wooded, semi-evergreen upright multi-stemmed shrub or
small tree that can grow 8 to 15 feet tall in the ground in mild
climates (hardy in zones 9- 11). The fleshy, flattened, ½-¾ inch long
nearly sessile (without a distinct petiole) leaves are round to oval in
shape. The glossy emerald green, opposite leaves are borne on brittle,
fleshy reddish-brown stems and tapering branches that mature to a
grayish color. Although succulent, the trunk and branches have a woody
inner tissue. The stiff, irregularly arranged branches will grow into a
thicket if left unpruned. Heavy branches may break off, often rooting
where they fall and beginning new plants. It looks superficially similar
to jade plant, but has much smaller leaves that tend to be closer
together on thinner stems.
The foliage is edible – and is commonly eaten in southern Africa,
usually in salads or soups to add a sour flavor – and was traditionally
used medicinally for a variety of minor ailments. It is widely browsed
by domestic and wild animals because of its ability to remain succulent
despite periods of searing heat and drought, and is a favorite food of
tortoises. Elephants do eat the plant, leaving the lower, spreading
branches and a lot of broken twigs as they strip the branches of the
leaves, which later root to expand and thicken the colony, creating new
thickets known as “spekboomvelds”.
Other animals, such as goats, eat the plant from the ground up,
preventing the plant from surviving. Overgrazing and poor regeneration
is causing a decline in elephant bush populations, except in areas such
as in parks or reserves where non-native browsers are limited, as P. afra seed has great difficulty germinating in its native habitat.
Plants produce a myriad of tiny, inconspicuous pink or white flowers in
late spring or early summer in its native habitat (or in places like
Southern California where they can be planted in the ground) after a dry
winter where plants are not irrigated. The flowers are rare in
cultivation. Flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of the
branches. The star-shaped flowers have 5 pointed petals and prominent
stamens. Pollinated flowers are followed by tiny transparent to pink,
berry-like dry fruits, each with a single seed.
In the Midwest elephant bush is best grown in a hanging basket, as part
of a mixed succulent dish garden, or as a tender bonsai specimen as the
dense branching gives even young plants a venerable look. The plant
readily produces buds wherever branches or even leaves are removed, so
it is easily kept almost any size or shape by pinching or cutting just
above a pair of leaves pruning.
The small root ball adapts well to typical shallow bonsai containers,
and being succulent it is more tolerant of drying than more traditional
bonsai subjects such as maples or evergreens so requires less constant
attention. Plants in containers alone can be staged with other potted
plants to provide contrast in color and texture. But even though they
can grow in very little soil, their succulent leaves and stems make them
top heavy, so plants may need to be stabilized with a rock or stake to
keep it stable until well established. The medium fine texture of the
foliage is a good contrast to wide-leaved annuals or perennials such as
coleus or heucheras, and the reddish color of the stems coordinate well
for a color echo with plants with red, purple or dark foliage. Portulacaria afra needs bright light and very well-drained soil
to thrive. Use cactus mix or a custom potting medium with generous
amounts of small pea gravel, poultry grit, pumice, or other non-porous
materials (avoid using a lot of sand as the particle size tends to be
small and will fill pore spaces more readily than other materials) and a
container with large drainage holes. Unglazed pottery is best to allow
for better evaporation of excess moisture. The ideal indoor location is
usually a south-facing window, but eastern or western exposures are
acceptable, too. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn
yellow or red at the tips – which some people prefer – or may even burn
the leaves. It may require some experimentation with locations to find
the right spot for optimal growth. Potted plants can be moved outside
for the growing season after all danger of frost has passed. Gradually
acclimate the plant to the new conditions; the leaves are likely to be
sunburned if a plant is abruptly moved from inside a house to full sun
outdoors. Move back indoors when night temperatures drop below 40F. It
may lose some leaves when transitioning to its winter home if it
receives less light than where it was outdoors.
Although elephant bush is very drought tolerant it grows more quickly
and the foliage is lusher with adequate water. Be careful not to
overwater, as it is susceptible to root rot in consistently moist soil.
Restrict watering in the winter. Unless the indoor environment is
unusually bright and warm, withhold water until the lower leaves begin
shriveling, which could be several months. Resume watering sparingly
once daylength increases in spring, allowing the soil to dry to a depth
of an inch before watering again. Fertilize plants in containers monthly
during the growing season (or more frequently if pruning a lot to grow a
dense plant in a small container). Repot when the plant has filled the
container or roots are growing out the drainage holes. This plant has
few pests, but mealybugs can be a problem, especially indoors. Like many
succulents it does not tolerate some pesticide sprays. Petroleum-based
chemicals should be avoided, or test first on a few leaves to be sure
the material will not damage the leaves.
Although it can be grown from seed, this plant is most often propagated
from cuttings. Stem cuttings are easily rooted within 4 to 6 weeks in
any type of potting medium in warm temperatures. Cuttings are best taken
in spring or summer, allowing the cut portions to dry and callus for a
couple of days before putting in the rooting medium. They may also root
in water. Even leaves that are knocked off while pruning or doing other
activities may root on their own.
There are several varieties, although most of these are not readily
available, other than perhaps from specialty nurseries. It is likely
that some mislabeling goes on, so identical plants may be sold under
different names. Variegated types tend to be smaller and less robust
than the green ones.
‘Aurea’ is a compact form with the new leaves a bright yellow in full sun.
‘Cork Bark’, selected by a bonsai practitioner, is prized for bonsai because of its fissured, corky bark.
‘Foliis variegatus’ is a slow growing variegated form well suited to container culture.
‘Limpopo’ has much larger leaves. It is the natural form (P. afra forma macrophylla) from the far north of the species’ range.
‘Medio-picta’ is a variegated type with green leaves with whitish
markings spreading from the center and especially bright red stems.
‘Prostrata’ or ‘Low Form’ are low-growing types that works well as a ground cover.
‘Variegata’ has a more compact, upright form with white or cream
edged, pale green leaves with pink highlights that does not tolerate
bright sun as much as the species.
Pictures show adult plant and its possible applications.
The pot is not included. Root ball of the plant comes in a plastic poly bag, sealed to maintain moisture for the 3 days that the plant is in transit.
Height of the plants is measured from the base of the root ball.