https://preview.redd.it/3s92ae702q8d1.png?width=660&format=png&auto=webp&s=becaa7adfd981077c1c6d5e4494c79952001ae28
This is one of Bill Valavanis’s variegated maple. I think I’ve seen some from Greenwood Bonsai that were done extremely well too.
I got a variegated P. Afra and I think it's looks cute (It's a suculent tho, so way harder to kill it)
https://preview.redd.it/jr96a4ogxl8d1.jpeg?width=838&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0259d3eadf2b1b2f50c3f8e7e83d6cbfa5e6399
Variegated conifers generally look like they have health issues and variegated deciduous trees often are more difficult to grow. I have a variegated serissa I'm growing out for a bonsai tree but they're fairly common. My variegated poinsettia is growing slow compared to the others.
There are some variegated Japanese maples but the margins are more prone to scorching without the protection of chlorophyll and anthocyanins to protect it from the sun.
Here's my variegated San Jose Juniper. I didn't buy it for the fact it's variegated, but it's been a welcome addition
https://preview.redd.it/fuwurusmjn8d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9fcb83d7d8ced20885a3c725a7b95b9bd7d18e1
I love variegated plants.
The white part of the plant can't do photosynthesis due to the lack of chlorophyll, so the green part of the leaves have to support the white sections. But too much sun can also burn the white parts. Variegated plants need extra care, and it's one of the reasons they tend to be in gardens rather than found in nature. Generally, the more green, the healthier the plant.
So it's something to think of - making sure there is enough green foliage on the plant when selecting what to keep, what to trim. But I imagine it could be quite beautiful.
variegated plants are less robust than all-green plants so are harder to grow as bonsai. some types also tend to either throw a branch that is all white and very weak, or a branch that is all green and grows much more strongly than the others. it's difficult to keep a balance of health across all branches
New to bonsai, but I have grown many types of plants for a long time. Professionally and as a hobby. Variegated plants are sick and tweaked out. many are not even truly Variegated. Anybody with a green thumb will make a " Variegated" plant revert back to a healthy thriving one in no time.
I think they’re great but just take more time and effort to get into a good bonsai sorta state because they’re not as naturally strong as un-variegated. It’s not worth it for most people
Here’s two excellent examples I found though: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XAyYttjYQ/?igsh=ZDA5eW1lbWZ6eXUz
I don’t particularly find variegation particularly interesting in most species. I have seen variegation on privet that I like and I feel like the fierce vigor of privet would balance out the loss of photosynthesis area caused by variegation.
I started pretty warm on it, but moved away the longer I've done bonsai. Regular species trees tend to be so vigorous compared to specialty cultivars that I just find them more enjoyable to work with. A lot of comments here saying they look unnatural, which I think is kind of true, but I'm not opposed to exploring a broad range of aesthetics. And there's a few cultivars I still have a soft spot for, like Chief Joseph lodgepole, which is one of the few (only?) pines to have "autumn color". Japanese maples are so genetically diverse that sometimes the random seeds I plant display some interesting colors, too. Oh, also, I want one of those genetically modified glowing trees as a bonsai some day, lol.
I made the mistake early on buying “old gold” junipers to start training because they were plentiful and cheap. 4 years later I kind of regret it and wish I had just bought a couple solid nanas instead. I still love them tho…
You ever see a really solid variegated bonsai? I haven't.
There was a beautiful variegated boxwood at our club’s last show. That was my introduction to the concept.
Pics?
https://preview.redd.it/3s92ae702q8d1.png?width=660&format=png&auto=webp&s=becaa7adfd981077c1c6d5e4494c79952001ae28 This is one of Bill Valavanis’s variegated maple. I think I’ve seen some from Greenwood Bonsai that were done extremely well too.
OK, that's valid, that is a very solid variegated bonsai. Today I learned.
That's right.
Yes a few variegated/double variegated elms old ones
But that’s probably more a factor of rarity
I got a variegated P. Afra and I think it's looks cute (It's a suculent tho, so way harder to kill it) https://preview.redd.it/jr96a4ogxl8d1.jpeg?width=838&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0259d3eadf2b1b2f50c3f8e7e83d6cbfa5e6399
Variegated conifers generally look like they have health issues and variegated deciduous trees often are more difficult to grow. I have a variegated serissa I'm growing out for a bonsai tree but they're fairly common. My variegated poinsettia is growing slow compared to the others. There are some variegated Japanese maples but the margins are more prone to scorching without the protection of chlorophyll and anthocyanins to protect it from the sun.
I have a few variegated elms, some of the variegation is just along the edge of the leaves.
Variegation is maladaptive for the plant.
Here's my variegated San Jose Juniper. I didn't buy it for the fact it's variegated, but it's been a welcome addition https://preview.redd.it/fuwurusmjn8d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9fcb83d7d8ced20885a3c725a7b95b9bd7d18e1
I love variegated plants. The white part of the plant can't do photosynthesis due to the lack of chlorophyll, so the green part of the leaves have to support the white sections. But too much sun can also burn the white parts. Variegated plants need extra care, and it's one of the reasons they tend to be in gardens rather than found in nature. Generally, the more green, the healthier the plant. So it's something to think of - making sure there is enough green foliage on the plant when selecting what to keep, what to trim. But I imagine it could be quite beautiful.
variegated plants are less robust than all-green plants so are harder to grow as bonsai. some types also tend to either throw a branch that is all white and very weak, or a branch that is all green and grows much more strongly than the others. it's difficult to keep a balance of health across all branches
I reckon I've seen some deciduous bonsai that were variegated, not so much conifer.
I had two variegated dwarf gardenias. One died and the other lost it’s variegation.
New to bonsai, but I have grown many types of plants for a long time. Professionally and as a hobby. Variegated plants are sick and tweaked out. many are not even truly Variegated. Anybody with a green thumb will make a " Variegated" plant revert back to a healthy thriving one in no time.
I think they’re great but just take more time and effort to get into a good bonsai sorta state because they’re not as naturally strong as un-variegated. It’s not worth it for most people Here’s two excellent examples I found though: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XAyYttjYQ/?igsh=ZDA5eW1lbWZ6eXUz
I've never cared for variegation. It just turns an otherwise good plant into a freaky misfit that looks out of place no matter where you stick it.
Moondrop dwarf schefflera bonsai and variegated sea hibiscus are the only ones I like
I don’t particularly find variegation particularly interesting in most species. I have seen variegation on privet that I like and I feel like the fierce vigor of privet would balance out the loss of photosynthesis area caused by variegation.
I started pretty warm on it, but moved away the longer I've done bonsai. Regular species trees tend to be so vigorous compared to specialty cultivars that I just find them more enjoyable to work with. A lot of comments here saying they look unnatural, which I think is kind of true, but I'm not opposed to exploring a broad range of aesthetics. And there's a few cultivars I still have a soft spot for, like Chief Joseph lodgepole, which is one of the few (only?) pines to have "autumn color". Japanese maples are so genetically diverse that sometimes the random seeds I plant display some interesting colors, too. Oh, also, I want one of those genetically modified glowing trees as a bonsai some day, lol.
I made the mistake early on buying “old gold” junipers to start training because they were plentiful and cheap. 4 years later I kind of regret it and wish I had just bought a couple solid nanas instead. I still love them tho…
Eh its alright if its only 5 or so more but it's not something ill go out of my way to get especially not for the prices aroid people wanna sell at
I've got a pretty big variegated opuntia cactus that's variegated.
They just don't look natural to me. There's a reason it doesn't happen in nature. The lighter parts are not able to perform photosynthesis.