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new to the bonsai world
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Posted by
shur2 mi (
My Page) on
Wed, Feb 7, 07 at 11:38
| Hi. I've decided that I'm gonna get into bonsai. I'm tired of being the only living thing in my apartment. Just wondering if the best plant to start would be a juniper or possibly a jade tree...any suggestions? I do live in a pretty cold climate and i don't have much natural light in my place. thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: new to the bonsai world
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| Hi, well in Michigan, you're going to have to stick to tropical plants if you want to grow indoors, unless you have a deck, balcony or yard that you can use for cold hardy trees (like Juniper, that has no business indoors no matter what the care tags or clerks tell you. This business about 'indoor' junipers is the scourge of bonsai and while a very few people are getting rich, a whole lot of others are throwing away their 'trees' (cuttings stuck in a pot with pebbles glued on top to hold them in!) after a few weeks. That being said, once you've thought about your growing conditions (you could grow tropicals inside AND hardy trees out if you have the space) your best bet is ... two things. The first is to find a local bonsai club and join up, because it's a great way to learn - hands on, and with lots of input from others in your climate. The second way is to read your head off - Amazon.com has a 'Used' bonsai book category with tons of really inexpensive books (they tell you if e.g. a cover is in bad shape, or a pg. is missing) - look for the most recent ones, and to save a little time (though some of the terminology might need clarifying at first) go to www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles to learn about (mostly) growing trees outdoors, and http://www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html to learn about indoor trees (especially ficus - the best indoor to start with). Between those two sites (the best and most straightforward, along with www.bonsai4me.com (lots of good info too) and a local club, you'll be on your way. Do NOT rush out and start spending on trees of any kind yet - wait til you know a) what you can provide in the way of growing conditions for which types of trees, and b) what to look for, how to shop, and you won't end up discouraged like so many, with a ton of dead trees and low self esteem :-)! So much about bonsai is about patience. Good luck! |
thanks
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RE: new to the bonsai world
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| Hello and welcome to the bonsai world. I was wondering what part of Michigan you lived in. The reason I ask is that I live in Toledo near the border. I do agree with Lucy that you should read up but if you are anything like me (very impatient when I'm into something) then you are best to find a good store wich will set you up with something managable. There is a very good store in my area and if you are near the border to OH it may be your best bet to find healthy well styled bonsai or bonsai starts. They have alot of indoor varieties there which would cater to your lifestyle in an apartment. Get back to me if you live near the area and i'll let you know where it is. I got this Bougainvillea there and was very pleased with the tree and the cost.
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RE: new to the bonsai world
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| Hi, you're free to do what you want obviously, but I'd just like to mention that while there are many knowledgable people out there, what also happens frequently is that those actually selling bonsai in stores are ... store clerks or store owners, who import the trees, tell you anything (like you should water by immersing the pots weekly in the sink - a big no-no except in emergencies) to get you to buy the trees. They will sound so self confident about their information, but in fact quite often don't know how to grow bonsai and you could be in trouble unless you already do. It doesn't take long for an inexpensive or very expensive tree to die if not taken proper care of from the day you get it home, which is why I suggested you learn whatever you can before buying. Impatience can be at least as expensive! Bonsai cannot be taken care of like house plants (watered weekly no matter what) and do need knowledgable care to survive. |
RE: new to the bonsai world
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Lucy
I am not disagreeing with you, i was just offering an alternative outlet. Personally I bought before I read and my frist tree is the one which has grown better for me than any other. The store I am speaking of is very good, the owner has been growing bonsai for 17 years and I have spoken personaly with him. The truth is he actually recomends reading as well. This is the reason I wanted a newcomer to have a good outlet to start off with. I wouldn't suggest going somewhere that sells mallsai but i would suggest a place like this paticular store. Reading and learning is an essential part to growing great bonsai, however for someone wanting to grow just one maybe even two trees all that is needed is knowledge of those trees. For people like me and you this is part of our lives and will be for a long time to come, but for some its just a small hobby because they like the way a certain tree looks. Lastly the reason I showed that tree is because it was started from a cutting and trained by the owner of the store. I wanted to give an idea of the knowledge the store owner had but forgot to mention that fact. |
RE: new to the bonsai world
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| Hooks - Can you clone that guy and spread him around :-)? |
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