Neea buxifolia

It was very nice to read your article. Specially these two sentences: "Neea should not be exposed to temperatures below 50F..." and "Neea should not be allowed to dry out." made me laugh. 

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From: TomZ50925@aol.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 09:48:18 -0400

Neea Buxifolia

Neea buxifolia is a stiff, twiggy, yet manageable and versatile shrub native
to Puerto Rico. Commonly spelled "Nia," the botanical name is "Neea." It is a
member of the Nyctaginaceae family, which includes the Bougainvillea, and
grows to fifteen feet with a trunk circumference of five to six inches. The
leaves are about one quarter inch long, narrow, and oblong with a rounded
apex. The petioles are short and the twigs grow laterally. The tree is
especially attractive during the growing season due to the deep red color of
its new shoots. The bark is gray and smooth. Neea bears small flowers in
spring and summer followed by little, red mature fruit in summer. 

Neea grows somewhat like Ilex vomitoria in that the new branches grow in all
directions. The effect can be dense and undisciplined. While this pattern may
be a challenge at first, with attention the close growth of the twigs creates
a compact outline desirable in bonsai. 

Neea should be grown in filtered sun in well draining soil in order to avoid
fungus, but with adequate water to keep it from drying out. Trees should
given twice a year. The source of this information could not yet attest in
1991 to the cold hardiness of Neea, though it indicated trees were being
grown in Florida. More current information is probably available now. 

Neea may be root and branch pruned throughout the year in tropical locations.
Since the branches and twigs elongate so rapidly, frequent pinching and
trimming are necessary. While young, the tree needs annual repotting and may
be severely root pruned. Older trees should be repotted every three to five
years. 

The tree has no particular natural form, unlike Juniperus procumbens, which
almost dictates a semi cascade or cascade style. Therefore, the Neea may be
styled in any way consistent with the growth pattern of the particular tree,
although formal upright would be difficult to manage. Wiring is also
difficult due to profuse, erratic branch growth. 
Broom and umbrella styles are easy and shohin is a good choice. 

Neea may be propagated by branch cuttings from March through June, by seed,
or by air layering. Seed propagation is especially useful for shohin rock
plantings.

Bibliography:
Montalvo, Adan. "Neea Buxifolia: A Puerto Rican Bonsai Treasure" in the World
Tropical Bonsai Forum, Winter 1991: 17-20.
Reprinted as "Neea Buxifolia" in Florida Bonsai, Vol 25, No. 1, pg 25-26.

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From: TomZ50925@aol.com
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 1996 07:03:49 -0400

[administrative stuff snipped]

Paragraph in question is quoted:
Neea should be grown in filtered sun in well draining soil in order to avoid
fungus, but with adequate water to keep it from drying out. Trees should be
fertilized twice a month and trace elements, especially iron and calcium,
given twice a year. The source of this information could not yet attest in
1991 to the cold hardiness of Neea, though it indicated trees were being
grown in Florida. More current information is probably available now. 
Unquote

I will inquire of a friend in the tropics about the cold hardiness and get
back to you.

Tom

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Date: Tue, 8 Oct 1996 15:09:48 -0400
From: "Thomas L. Zane" 

I have twice emailed my contact in Puerto Rico asking about minimum temps and
gotten no reply.

Two replies from S. FL indicated Neea is a pure tropical and shouldn't be
subjected to temps below 50.

Tom

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From: TomZ50925@aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 10:22:12 -0400

Hi Sabrina,

I finally got an answer from my friend, Pedro Morales, in Puerto Rico. He
wrote:

>Sorry I havent answer your message but I dont turn on my computer every day.
I heard from Jim Smith that neea could go near 40 degrees and he told me one
time that I could go to 36 degree. I'm really not sure of this because here
it never goes below 60 to 58 degrees.

Pedro runs a bonsai nursery in PR and is a traveling speaker on bonsai.
Jim Smith runs a tropical plant nursery in Vero Beach, FL and is MOST
knowledgeable on tropicals. I'd take his word as gospel. 40 degrees appears
to be the minimum temp.

Sorry it is so late.

Tom Zane

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