Bonsai tree crash course required!

So I have been looking at these bonsai trees for a while now, always wanted to have a go ever since i seen the karate kid! and I wandered if anyone could give me a crash course in the whole thing! such as techniques, tips, do's and don'ts, tools i will need etc. I would be really greatfull because I have no idea lol! looking at some Japanese black pine seeds at the moment. :thumb:

 

Not being orid but this is the time to get a good book , are you going for outdoor ? , lots of Bonsai nurseys at this time of year sell starter trees £££ dont cost that much as the tree seeds are tricky to propergate



Spruce

 

[size=large]A Bonsai tree should be a reproduction in miniature of the real thing. Too often bonsai look like some badly chopped branch.

The art of Bonsai is a bit of a torture on a tree in the sense that you do not allow the tree to develop as it would normally do and you direct the branches where you want them to go. For that purpose the tree has to be I seem to remember about two years old with roots contained in a vase so that they don't develop fully.

But there are also some seeds of Bonsai trees, so you may just have to sow a seed!


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I see thanks for your replies well I was going for an indoor one really thought it would be nice to have one on display and make a nice pot for it! I just thought it would be a nice project to see it grow into a tree from just a tiny seed! or is that a bit ambitious for a first timer? I guess I do need to buy a good book like you say is there any one in particular that that anyone can recommend would be good for a beginner? [hr]
so basicly the seeds are potentially the same as a normal tree then but you are just manipulating its growth is that correct?

 

Hello Neofire

I have been doing Bonsai for some 18 years now. This is my current collection ...

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/Thread-Bonsai--25511.html

I would not recommend doing any from seed ... unless you have years to spare. The best way is to find a little seedling of something you like and start from there as it least it has a root system developing. Even with that it will be a couple of years before you can do anything to it. To start off, I would perhaps buy one as Spruce says so you have some visual.

I do not advocate keeping Bonsai indoors (although they list them as indoors/outdoors) ... they are trees and need air. If you keep one indoors, it should not be in a heated room or baking on a hot windowsill. You should only keep it indoors for brief periods of time, perhaps when you want to show it off.

If you do a search on Bonsai on this forum you will find several threads but I have noticed that some of the links given within those threads are no longer accessible but you may be able to glean some information. There is obviously a lot of information on the net.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai

Just remember ... a Bonsai is for life ... and beyond ...

 

:thumb: thanks a lot Victoria that was very helpful 18 years wow you have got a great collection there! I had a scout around the garden earlier and found some little seed things from the sycamore trees around here some of them had started sprouting would that be any good for a first attempt? I have found four and put them in the smallest pots I can find with some pete. left 3 in this little greenhouse tent thing I have outside and brought one indoors to see what happens I'm assuming you can do it with any tree though so I might be wrong >< its okay I'm not really too worried that it will take a while to grow I'm willing to look after it!

 

Yes, a little Sycamore would be nice Neofire. I plant mine in 2/3 peat and 1/3 sand. Just keep them barely moist with some warmth until they settle in. Any little sprouting trees that have seeded themselves would be fine.

If you can, post a pic so we can keep up with the progress.

 

Ah that's great I'm glad it will work! I have filled mine up to the top with pete already so I will take some out and put a bit of sand in when I get a minute as have been quite busy the last couple of days! I have taken some pictures though the one pot I have taken indoors doesn't seem to be doing as well as the ones outside I have got to say! just like you said even though I have had the window open quite a lot. its nice to have the pictures as a record of the progress at least everyone can supervise this way too haha! :WINK1:
let me know if you have any suggestions! thanks!

 

Oh, they are really babes ... bless ... Perhaps you can mooch around and find some treelings or shrublets that are perhaps 10cm tall or so with a little root structure?

It's always good to have pictures of your progress ... so in years from now you can look back and really smile and say ... 'I did that!' There's a really good feel factor about it all. :D

But whey hey, you are on your way

PS I'd still go buy one for a tenner to give you encouragement ... but please don't keep it indoors all the time ...

 

Hi Neofire,

Thought I'd show you this pic. I have it's mother plant Ficus Benjamina which is 6ft tall, an indoor plant.

I grew this cutting on for my mother but she accidentally broke the top off and it seems to have bonsai'd itself. It's now about six years old.

 

Wow that's great Sheal thanks for posting it up! and thanks for the advice Victoria I'll have a look around and see what I can find! yes buying one would definitely give me some encouragement I think there's a nursery in Newquay that does them which isn't too far away!
the weathers been very nice the last few days and 2 of the seedlings I planted are doing very well I will post up some more pics soon! although the others don't really look to good but 2 is better than 0 I guess lol!

 

i would love to start an oak tree bonsai, isit possible. and another thing about bonsais, how do you water them properly.
sorry for jumping in on your thread. i couldnt help my self.
thanks

 

Hi boe, an Oak would make a lovely one. Just remember you would lose your leaves in the winter.

As far as watering goes, in the winter you keep them slightly drier but in the summer you may need to water daily but it depends on your climate .. I have to water 2/3 times a day in the heat of our summer! Just remember they need fresh air.

Threads don't 'belong' to anyone .. the more input the merrier. :yess:

 

Hi Neofire I pot up any seedlings I find around my plot and often give them to friends. I have this Hazel which has been trimmed for several years now.
And it stays in the garden all year round.

 

Hey there Pal my friend ....

I'll post a pic of your little :WINK1: Hawthorn soon ... xx