LIME BERRY

Written by Tara Rao

Lime Berry or Limoncillo is a specie of the family:Rutaceae and in scientific classification as Triphasia Trifolia.Lime berry is also called Elachi Lemon, Chinese Lemon, but the preferred name is Lime Berry.

Origin:its probably native to Java ,Indonesia, Surinam and Puerto Rico.It grows well in Malaysia ,Christmas Island, Florida and Texas Actually it grows well in tropical to subtropical regions

Description:It is a member of the Rutacae (citrus)family.It is a spiny evergreen shrub.Maximum height is upto 9feet.It has trifoliate dark green leaves of 2cm to 4cm long and 1.5cm to 2cm broad.It bears small white fragrant flowers and the petals are 10 mm to 13mm long and 4mm breadfruit when ripe are dullish red or crimson and globes in shape. Each fruit has 1to 3 seeds.

Plant type:It is a perennial plant produces fruits throughout the year. It is seed propagated, but the seed should be planted before it dries up.It is a good ornamental plant ,ideal as a hedge since its thick and dense.

Soil:This plant grows in full sun to part shade.As a young plant it does not tolerate frost.The soil should be moderately loamy,with a generous amount of compost and sand.It prefers dry rocky soil in a sunny spot. It is intolerant to water logging and dislikes winter wetness.

Bonsai :Due to its slow growth it is excellent for Bonsai.The wood is very dense ,it can be easily defoilated which makes wiring easier Once wiring is done the new shoot will come out easily Repotting should be done in the summer months. This plant is resistant to most pests.

On the bonsai video I saw seeds planted in the ground in a single file ,allowed to grow till 2feet and maintained for the stem to thicken.Then its ideal for forest style..and looks impressive!!However formal upright seems to be the most suitable style.

Medicinal:Fresh leaves are crushed and applied on the scalp for dandruff, the fruit cooked in water and sugar is a remedy for bad cough and to loosen the phlegm. Leaves are aromatic and made into bath salts

The lime berry is an ideal tropical plant for hot humid Chennai conditions .Its a beautiful ornamental plant ,slow growing, but easy to maintain.

Penjing and Saikei

 Article by Suchitra.

Pen is a pot or container and  jing means scenery. So, penjing means a potted scenery. Penjing applies to detailed miniature landscapes, which include trees,other plants, rocks, soil, water and miniature figurines of people and animals. 

A brief note  about its  influence on bonsais says about the role travel has played in its growth.

The idea of planting small plants in ornamental pots began in the early 700’s.

After 200 years Buddhist monks brought these  to Japan.The Japanese incorporporated  their cultural imprints formalised, reinterpreted to suit their own highly developed sense of refinement.

 Saikei means a planted landscapes,with miniature living trees,rocks soil,rocks and ground covers.

 Saikei uses a species of  Bonsai plants, where the shape of the ground is important ,whereas in bonsai the shape of the ground is of reduced importance.The representations can evoke a seaside, mountainous, forest or a desert landscape. A Saikei mandates the use of stones and the placement of  trees and roots above the rim of the tray. Wheras in bonsai, stones are used as a base for a tree as in a root over rock style. So Saikei  concentrates on the evocation of a natural landscape rather than on the character of individual trees as emphasised in bonsai.

Saikeis were also used as plant stocks which could be later used as bonsai material. As Saikeis aged, their stock would produce thickened trunks, which could then be used as bonsais.

So Saikeis would be formal, neater, depicting a sense of control with nothing left to chance. An order is imposed on creations and nothing is left to chance.

Penjing,on the other hand,reveals an inner beauty,an essence inherent in nature. Paintings, poetry, calligraphy have all influenced penjings. Sometimes,the main features are rocks and plants are accents only. Penjings use solitary figurines, bridges, pagodas and boats in their designs

Penjing artists exuded a spirit of free expression and bold artistic expression, a liberation from rules and freedom to artistically experiment. Penjing is less concerned with rules,and try to imitate life which is imperfect. Man belongs to and is a part of the natural world but his role is minute.

Thus, both penjings and Saikeis have their own beauty and have greatly influenced the art of Bonsai.

 

 

Yucca as bonsai.

 A short write up about Yucca.

Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the family Asparagaceae. 

It's basically a desert plant and are native to the hot and dry areas of the American continent and also the Caribbean.. 

They are drought tolerant and they store up water in their stems and leaves. 

They have a rosette of sword shaped leaves, with pointed edges. 

They can be easily used as bonsai trees.. It can be trained into a single upright tree or in a group.. In a penjing, they look very nice, adapt themselves very well.. 

The soil should be well draining.. Their water requirement is minimal. 

They should get sunlight for 5 to 6 hours daily. 

Manuring can be done once in a month. Farmyard manure is ideal.. 

Yucca plants are attacked by aphids, which can be removed by spraying any insecticide.. 

To keep the plant in good condition, remove all dried up leaves periodically.. 

Lateral branches can be developed by trimming the growing tips.. 

Repotting can be done once in two years.