名媛直播

Could you please help me identify what type of 名媛直播 this is It wasn't shown on the plant.

This is a carmona. This is not bonsai unfortunately, but "mallsai"

"The term "Mallsai" was coined by Vance Wood in 1986 and has come to mean any potted plant that is sold under the label "bonsai" and which is found in any retail outlet that is not a bonsai specialty nursery. These Mallsai are typically mass-produced and often have a surface covering consisting of gravel, which is glued on to prevent spillage during shipping and handling. They also typically come potted in heavily glazed and often colorful imported Chinese pots."

artofbonsai.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2346

Looks healthy enough, plenty of new growth there, don't be put off by the 'mallsai' tag. I bought one from a local garden centre in 2012, it has developed nicely and I am pleased with it. They need humidity and fairly constant temps, absolute min 50F, and as much natural light as you can. They tend to be imported and sold in less than ideal soil, mine had a thin layer of peat covering a clay/sand/pebble mix which took ages to wash off, repotted in a free draining mix. I feed about once a week - less frequently would do, but that works for me. Quite easy to propagate from cuttings too.

Dave

But whats the difference between "mallsai" and "bonsai"? Is care taking still the same?

yes, remember, bonsai are not a species.

mallsai are trees in pots, called bonsai. you see, in order for a tree to become a bonsai, it must have certain characteristics, like a good taper and nebari. any species, even an oak can be a bonsai. "mallsai" is just a broad term for trees in which are mass produced and called bonsai with no actual art put into them.