Black Olive - Bucida sp.

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.

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

Bibliography:
"Florida Bonsai" magazine, Vol 4, No. 4, page 20.
USDA Fact Sheet ST-102
E-mail from Mary Miller, South Florida.