Bahama Berry
Here is a baby Bahama Berry from Mehans Nursery, the pot was made by yours truly, but I do plan to keep my day job !
![[image]](images/uploaded/200911291223074b12adfb452a7.jpg)
Now that I see its picture, it screams to be trimmed up near the top of the tree, but I'm going to wait until February or so once it starts to grow a little more vigorously.
Jon
Bahama Berry
Jon - Thank you for starting this thread on Bahama Berry. I was about to do the same thing. My BaBe, originally from Van Curlers, is by far my favorite tropical. It is in flower again, and has transitioned from being outdoors all summer to a southeastern window location very well. The fragrance is intoxicating - spicy sweet, and the tree is maturing nicely. Some berries have formed. I will post a picture soon.
My thoughts on your young tree - first, the pot is fine for now - and I like it a lot, but you might want to up pot within a year or two. Let the tree grow out freely to gain girth. However - you will want to control the tendency for bar-branching. You already have two strong branches on the left side. In time the second one up should be removed and the first right branch needs development.
This is a clip-and-grow tree. Wiring is difficult, as it gets brittle early on. Tie-down wiring and "air-wiring" work well, but gently while it is tender. As you know Bahama Berry cannot dry out. It needs to be wet/damp at all times. Catch 22 - the lower bark might rot away a bit. Do not use it for the dead tree contest, please.
Again, thanks and good luck with your new Bahama Berry.
Learn more at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/bahama.html
Bahama Berry
OK, I'll try uploading a few pics of my BaBe - Nashia inaguensis - Bahama Berry
![[image]](images/uploaded/200912031824554b1848c780db0.jpg)
![[image]](images/uploaded/200912031826054b18490d5d764.jpg)
![[image]](images/uploaded/200912031826484b1849383907a.jpg)
![[image]](images/uploaded/200912031827204b18495821c65.jpg)
Again - the photography is not the best. The tree is much broader, fuller than it appears, and better balanced. It stands 9 1/2 in. high by 11 in. wide. The pot and the mossy rocks are much smaller than they appear. The little clusters of flowers measure only 1/4 - 3/8 inch across. The leaves, likewise, are tiny and always have a high sheen. Fissures in the bark are dramatic and add to the illusion of age. Then there are the berries !!! The heady fragrance is much like that of lily-of-the-valley after a Spring rain, but with an herbal twist. This tree (est. age 12-15 years) is developing nicely. I pinch and clip tightly all Summer, but allow free growth in the 'off-season'. Bahama Berry is a very under-used bonsai material. I highly recommend it, especially for shohin, and if you can find one hang onto it. ENJOY.
(Note - the prop gets its own display stand - but because of the odd camera angle you only see one leg. And then I showed the same pic twice instead of two different angles. Ooops !!)
Bahama Berry
Very Nice Tom !
I love the twiggyness and with the rough texture of the bark, it appears much older.
Gotta love the accent plant...hardy ha..ha,,,
Bahama Berry
Favorite brew!!! And local too. Almost as good as root beer.
Bahama Berry
I would thin it out in the upper part, enough to let the birds fly through.
Iris
Bahama Berry
You're right. The canopy is getting dense. However, for now, I want to enjoy the flowers and berries. And some new shoots are growing out intentionally at this time. It looks like a cross between a chia pet and a porcupine gone wild. But in spring it will get the thinning out you suggest - the "space for birds to fly through."
Bahama Berry
Alas, the flowering is about finished. They turn to an ugly brown, though some berries remain still. The question now is how soon to remove the flowers and how much to cut back. I'm trying to contact the well regarded expert Mary C. Miller, in Florida, for some advice. 
I want to keep my BaBe real healthy.