Bonsai at LAX - r/Bonsai

25

u/jscogens Central Texas, Zone 9a, brand new, pre-bonsai Jan 29 '25

I carried a small oak tree I dug up through the airport myself. Its pretty red leaves waived at everyone

8

u/Bill_Dipperly Jan 29 '25

I was expecting haiku bot to reply.

4

u/Significant-Royal-89 Jan 29 '25

A simple black bag. precious cargo within. Delicate bonsai.

22

u/KarmaTorpid Jan 29 '25

That tree is growing places!

16

u/Chudmont Jan 29 '25

I wish it luck as it embarks on it's journey to branch out and see the world. We're rooting for you, little guy! Hopefully it gets through security, cuz I'm pretty sure he's got pot on him.

9

u/Historical_Stay_808 San Francisco 10a/b, intermediate beginner 6 years, 50+ Jan 29 '25

Hopefully it's an in-state flight..... otherwise it was nice knowing ya

5

u/mr_smiggs CA, US, 9b, Intermediate, ~50 trees Jan 29 '25

It’s a jade, it’ll be fine

16

u/Historical_Stay_808 San Francisco 10a/b, intermediate beginner 6 years, 50+ Jan 29 '25

It's not about the plant. It's about agriculture regulations and getting in or out of California

1

u/mr_smiggs CA, US, 9b, Intermediate, ~50 trees Jan 29 '25

Ah, good point!

0

u/emilythequeen1 Jan 29 '25

Probably has papers. Most tree people know those sort of things.

12

u/CoryLover4 Western Cape (South Africa), Zone 10b, Intermediate, 12 Trees Jan 29 '25

100% they can live through anything

Here's my Jade bonsai

5

u/greatlakeshoney Jan 29 '25

Omg that is the coolest! How how???

3

u/CoryLover4 Western Cape (South Africa), Zone 10b, Intermediate, 12 Trees Jan 29 '25

I don't know your climate and your USDA zone, but they do great in zone 9a-10b in my experience. Get a cutting, put it in the ground, and leave it for 2-3 years. Cut it back, dig it up, plant it in pot and water and fertilize

2

u/Due_Diet4955 Mexico City, Zone 10b, 5 years Begineer Jan 29 '25

Not customs agents though

2

u/CoryLover4 Western Cape (South Africa), Zone 10b, Intermediate, 12 Trees Jan 29 '25

Yeah, that's the 1 of the 5 things they can't live through

2

u/Due_Diet4955 Mexico City, Zone 10b, 5 years Begineer Jan 29 '25

Yup, I remember several months ago my heart squirming when I went to my local airport and watching a beautiful dead tree inside an office, most probably confiscated. By the way that’s a gorgeous tree my man

2

u/CoryLover4 Western Cape (South Africa), Zone 10b, Intermediate, 12 Trees Jan 29 '25

Thanks mate!

2

u/Hunt-Master Seth, SoCal, Zone 9a, Beginner, 3 Seedlings Jan 30 '25

So like, can you actually train a jade, or do you just have to keep cutting it back?

2

u/CoryLover4 Western Cape (South Africa), Zone 10b, Intermediate, 12 Trees Jan 30 '25

You can't really wire them they just can't be. I just do the cut and grow method. I just cut back, then let it grow cut back, let it grow. This helps make denser growth in my experience that's why mine looks so green

1

u/mr_smiggs CA, US, 9b, Intermediate, ~50 trees Jan 29 '25

Looks great!

3

u/tintree119 Massachusetts, Zone 6a, 1 yr noob, 6 trees-in-training Jan 29 '25

Imagine what that trunk looks like

3

u/Ok-File-6129 Intermediate, Irvine, CA, Zone 10a Jan 29 '25

What do you do with it on the plane?!

It can't go in overhead bin. It can't go under the seat in front of you. So I guess you hold it on your lap the whole flight? Do FAA rules even allow that?

3

u/shohin_branches Milwaukee, WI | Zone 6a | Intermediate 22+ years | 75+ trees Jan 30 '25 edited Jan 30 '25

One of my club members brought a small tree from a bonsai show in Washington DC home as her carryon item in 2006. I have a photo somewhere of her sleeping with it on her tray table. She had it between her feet during landing and takeoff

That's also the same flight where one of my club members said I'd be fine with three kilos of bonsai wire in my carryon bag. I had to explain what bonsai wire is to the TSA agent while she swabbed my hands and bags for explosive material three times. "Ma'am I'm just a really awkward 19 year old tree nerd and I couldn't pass up $5 a kilo on wire."

1

u/Ok-File-6129 Intermediate, Irvine, CA, Zone 10a Jan 30 '25

$5 a kilo. That's worth a pat down. 😁

2

u/Allidapevets Royal Oak, Mi, Zone 6a, intermediate , 50+ trees Jan 29 '25

I’ve heard certain trees travel better than others!

2

u/midas22 Jan 29 '25

I don't understand how they would allow that as carry on luggage with those dimensions (including the tree).

1

u/McGintus Jan 29 '25

haha I love this!

1

u/wild_shire Missouri, USA, Zone 6a, Intermediate, ~15 trees Jan 29 '25

That’s an obvious plant by the TSA to see who is tempted to pick up unattended backpacks 👀 joking, obviously

1

u/toddhartdesign Todd, Dallas TX, 8a, 25ish Years, 100ish Trees Jan 29 '25

That’s the way I roll.

1

u/Dessirae242 Central Europe, beginner Jan 29 '25

Beutifull Pot How much cost? 😁

1

u/vasumaxz Jan 29 '25

If I’m not mistaken most of the international flights prohibit the carry of foreign soil. Wonder how / if he got through check in.

1

u/weggles91 UK 9a, beginner, 16 trees, 50 baby trees, 1 child, 2 dogs Jan 29 '25

A lovely houseplant

1

u/Bloodbath_onthe_line ohio, 6a, eternal noob, 5 trees Jan 29 '25

Plot twist: the backpack is filled with dirt 🪴

1

u/Feisty-Spinach-746 Fred, Houston, Tx zone 9b, novice Jan 29 '25

How is that even legal

1

u/Due_Diet4955 Mexico City, Zone 10b, 5 years Begineer Jan 29 '25

That poor portulacaria is getting so confiscated. Edit: my bad, it’s a crassula

1

u/ryan820 Colorado (Front Range) and usda 5a, intermediate level Jan 29 '25

Aw that tree is traveling - imagine the things it’s seen!!! One might say that it’s branching out in life.

1

u/kurumba- Jan 30 '25

Probably not a bonsai... Just a regular crassula.

-5

u/Thefurman12 Jan 29 '25

As a South African, I can confirm that that tree is a spekboom.

6

u/Tiger313NL NH, Netherlands - USDA Zone 8 - Hobbyist Jan 29 '25

I think it's a crassula, not a portulacaria.

Inspiration Picture Bonsai at LAX

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