Need tree ID and input please.

Good morning folks!

I found a Bonsai seller on Craigslist with lots of stuff for sale but like most of the time pretty much useless stuff except for one that kind of caught my attention. I don't know how good material it really is but at least I can definitely see some nice trunk grit, movement and taper.

There's 2 questions for you.

What specie is this?

The other question/concern is that I see one of the bottom branches with a nice size (diameter) while the opposite branch being very weak or young, what do you think about it? (see image 2 and 3 for that) Will you pass this one up or not?

Thanks for the help!

Hi,
The structure of the leaf and the thorns look like a paper flower tree, Bougainvillea sp.

What is more to the point, the tree is severely chlorotic. In other words, it has been starved and beaten in a dungeon. In southern California, you can probably do better at local nurseries. In fact, if you keep your eyes peeled, you may be able to collect a "yamadori" Bougainvillea. Old Bougainvilleas that have been growing in the ground often make prize specimens.
Iris

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It could be a bougainvillea but I would need to see flowers
to be sure. If it is bougainvillea the wood is very soft and prone to rot, be
sure to protect large cuts with some kind of wood hardener or good quality
clear varnish.

thanks for the heads up folks, I guess I'll pass on this one and follow Iris advice as to keep my eyes open for a possible yamadori hunt!

I'm not sure I would pass on it that easily, Its displaying Iron/Mg chlorosis which Bougey are of course often prone to, looks like both at the same time which means theres a soil imbalance issue.

What does the seller want for it alonsou? Thats the big question.

The chlorosis is easily remedied and I would use it as a talking down point to try and lower the price.

-Jay

drgonzo wrote:I'm not sure I would pass on it that easily, Its displaying Iron/Mg chlorosis which Bougey are of course often prone to, looks like both at the same time which means theres a soil imbalance issue.

What does the seller want for it alonsou? Thats the big question.

The chlorosis is easily remedied and I would use it as a talking down point to try and lower the price.

-Jay

He is asking $230 OBO for it, says to be a 65 year old Bougey with a massive trunk, I think here the main issue is that I have no idea how well its been taken care off (by the chlorosis issues I mean) For the same amount I can have a 35+ gallon container (wooden type) JBP with lots of character/potential from a established JBP local nursery, that seems a lot more appealing that a plant with health issues. I will try to explain the seller the chlorosis issue and see if I can lower the price. BTW how can you identify the chlorosis issue? what are the signs to look for and how do you fix it?

[/quote]He is asking $230 OBO for it, says to be a 65 year old Bougey with a massive trunk, I think here the main issue is that I have no idea how well its been taken care off (by the chlorosis issues I mean) For the same amount I can have a 35+ gallon container (wooden type) JBP with lots of character/potential from a established JBP local nursery, that seems a lot more appealing that a plant with health issues. I will try to explain the seller the chlorosis issue and see if I can lower the price. BTW how can you identify the chlorosis issue? What are the signs to look for and how do you fix it?[/quote]

I think $230 is WAY too much. $30 would be more like it. Chlorosis means yellowing, there can be a variety of causes but generally it is either too little of the right kind of fertilizer or bad soil.
It would be corrected by the right fertilizer and repotting.
Bougainvilleas grow very quickly from large cuttings. Here in Florida we root six-inch logs of Bougainvillea. There is a fellow south of me that makes money going to home owners with over grown Bougainvillea, getting paid to dig them out and them sells them for Bonsai.

I would have been more generous than Billy with my initial offering of 50 dollars for the plant.

$230 is the wrong price for this tree.
-Jay

not iron or fertilizer just winter, all mine look like this ground and potted. No worries, defoliate, trim and wire, okay now !

id offer 40

rock wrote:not iron or fertilizer just winter, all mine look like this ground and potted. No worries, defoliate, trim and wire, okay now !

id offer 40

Rock
Is that really frost damage? I've never seen frost damage on a Bougainvillea. Mine always runs inside at the first hint of a chilly september night and stays in all winter.
-Jay

drgonzo wrote:

rock wrote:not iron or fertilizer just winter, all mine look like this ground and potted. No worries, defoliate, trim and wire, okay now ! id offer 40

Rock
Is that really frost damage? I've never seen frost damage on a Bougainvillea. Mine always runs inside at the first hint of a chilly september night and stays in all winter.
-Jay

Not frost but just cool weather. But, I don't agree, I think it is old soil and a lack of the proper fertilizer.