Schefflera

[LivingArt]

i have some schefflera but i have a weird feeling that they aren't the same kind that most use for bonsai. they have the smaller foliage but the bark and air root texture seems different from other schefflera bonsai. mine have a ruff texture and the when the green turns woody and the bark forms it's grey! i've bought different schefflera at different places but they all turn out the same with the greyness. so i'm wondering if it's my growing methods or the type of plant i'm using?
thanks you for taking the time to read this
LA

[Jerry Meislik]

Can you post a photo of your Schefflera so that we can help you identify your tree?

[LivingArt]

i'm sorry these pics are old and not too great. in order to get pics i have to get film developed and money is REAL tight so i have to use these old pics.

[LivingArt]

once again, sorry these r so old that the bark and air roots havn't even formed yet but u can kind of see the foliage.

[LivingArt]

i hope these help a little. if not what kind of micro leaved schefflera are best?

[LivingArt]

it's like a foot tall now and about a foot wide. the roots have lines down them, raised lines. in most pictures it seems the roots are smooth like this one.

[Jerry Meislik]

Although the pictures are not very good I would guess that you are working with Schefflera arboricola, the Dwarf Schefflera.
Just about any or all of these, and there are many varieties and cultivars, can be made into attractive bonsai.
It usually requires that they be cut back severely to naked stems and allowed to break back out with new stems.
I am attaching a picture of a 3 year old specimen. Just a start but very attractive.

[LivingArt]

i kinda worded my last post wrong it sounds like that photo is of my plant but what i meant to say is that most other bonsai look like they have smooth roots. but thanks Jerry. yeah you're definitely right about the multiple cultivars. it seems that mine grow very slow despite good soil and fertilizing. do they grow better with their roots exposed on rocks?
thanks again, maybe my ruff roots can be a hidden blessing?

[Jerry Meislik]

The Scheffleras do not grow that quickly. Especially putting on trunk thickness is slow. A large pot or box will probably help the most to get fast growth.
Your rough roots may be a very good feature and could be better than smooth roots. Who knows? You may be able to market that feature!