We bought a Buddha belly bonsai
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
December 7, 2018 6:49pm CST
On Christmas Eve we have been invited to dinner at our friends’ place. We have known this couple for many years and have an easy relationship with them. We often get together for a meal and when they were away for a week or two we looked after their two-acre garden. It gave us the chance to take lots of photos and with them we made up a gift book through Vistaprint.
Most Christmas’s we exchange token gifts and this year we found this cute ‘Buddha belly’ bonsai. It’s a Ficus macrocarpa retusa. Do you like bonsai? We bought my mother one for her 70th birthday and she had it almost until her death. This one can be kept indoors and I’m tempted now to get one for myself. If it thrives on neglect it will do well in my house.
18 people like this
20 responses
@Marilynda1225 (91109)
• United States
8 Dec 18
That's a really cute bonsai and I'm sure your friends will love it (especially if it doesn't need much attention)
3 people like this
@Mavic123456 (21891)
• Thailand
8 Dec 18
This is nice and this really grow huge even planted in ground, unlike other bonsai... very low maintenance needs. good choice.
So this is Buddha belly no wonder I always see them in the temples.
2 people like this
@Mavic123456 (21891)
• Thailand
8 Dec 18
@JudyEv yes, and it is really amazing, I always see these in front of the Wat where I live close by
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 18
@Mavic123456 We saw a great many in the 1990s when we visited an elephant centre in Thailand. I can't find the photos though.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208937)
• United States
8 Dec 18
A plant that doesn't need much attention is probably right up alot of people's alleys.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 18
Yes, I think so too. Some live in spite of the owners, don't they?
@allknowing (153530)
• India
8 Dec 18
I am not a bonsai fan but I like what you have bought for your friend It looks like Nolina and I have a few Nolinas in my garden growing the natural way The leaves ofcourse are different
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
8 Dec 18
@JudyEv That is one thing I have not done - selling plants. I have loads that I throw away. Wish I could.
What are Yuccas?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Dec 18
A plant that thrives on neglect would be a good one. I like the way it looks. That gift book sounds like a good idea.
1 person likes this
That's wonderful you will spend Christmas Eve with friends. I'm sure they will love the plant.
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 18
@responsiveme It could well be but the botanical name is Ficus macrocarpa.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
11 Dec 18
I actually dig this plant. Someone once gave us a little plant—I forget the name of the plant—but it was in a little basket next to a stuffed turkey with a straw hat on. We can't kill it, but I do love the plant. I always think we need more plants in the house.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135770)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Dec 18
That a cute tree. I have never seen those.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 18
Bonsais are really lovely. I think the art originated in Asia.
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
8 Dec 18
That is so nice. I would probably kill it, so none for me.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 18
They say they are hard to kill but maybe those who say that don't know you and I. 
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
8 Dec 18
I have never seen one like this, very nice gift
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 18
They are very attractive because they are miniature trees. This one isn't so much but some are. I'll add a photo of a trident maple. It has been growing since 1895. Photo courtesy: Sage Ross [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
I actually like this type better but they are very expensive.
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
1 Feb 19
When that plant grows big outdoors, I think that's what they call here champagne.
