What's good GC. Thought this would be the appropriate place for this. Starting to get into bonsai. I know it's best to start from scratch, and not from am established plant, but it's my christmas present, so I will put the time into training this chinese-mass-manufactured piece into a beautiful bonsai. I got it sitting under a 19w CFL now, 1300 lumens, since this will be an indoor plant, and there's not much sun in the PA this time of year. There's not going to be much action in this log, seeing as bonsai takes years to change noticably. But would love to track her progress with you guys, and if there are any people with some tips, that would be much appreciated too. Here she is, still need to decide a name. Leaves started falling off from it not being watered properly when my gf had it. Plus it was shipped before that. I need to get this repotted as soon as I can so I can start trimming up these branches.
First one. Wish I would have started with it before it was grown this much, but willing to try and grow and shape this into something respectful.
She has been growing nice under the CFL. The last of the dead leaves have fallen. I did some pruning of the dead branches, and getting ready to have her repotted tomorrow. My outline is as follow: 1. Repot to prune roots and put fresh soil in, since I don't know how long it has been in the current soil mix. 2. Slowly start introducing the CFL light over the course of 2 weeks after 3. Introduce fertilizer one month after repotting. 4. Begin to do some minor pruning and shaping by March to get her ready for spring growth. Probably won't start wiring or training it til summer when it's grown more and I can do something with her.
hey Dr S Nice to see another bonsai person getting started. I have had many trees for many years. The main thing I have always told those who express an interest jn bonsai is to "get started today". I have trees that I have been working on for over 30 years now. I have some wild collected trees (Yamadori in Japanese) that I guess to be 75 to 100 years old. It can become a passion. Over the years I have collected a large book library on bonsai; but now the internet brings it all to you at very little cost. Just like this GC forum, I am always amazed how much people are willing to share with others that they will most likely never meet. I recommend getting a few basic tools, they don't have to be expensive to start. Get a pouch or box for them and treat them with a degree of respect, this is to train you as you train the trees. I spent many years in the martial arts when I was younger and I equate the discpline that is necessary in that sport to the discipline that is needed to become a real bonsai journeyman. Part of that self control is patience. One of the beauties of bonsai is if you don't get to it this year, there is always next year. Sometimes you will know that you have to let a branch grow to get thicker even though it distracts form the shape of the tree this year and you are dying to cut it. But next year or the year after when that branch has gained its size and now you can shape and prune it back is a reward that will give you a satisfaction that is simply hard to express to another person. In the over all ebb and flow of daily life, trying to pay the bills and have a relatiohship etc. etc. I know it is a small thing but "ah, the joy of a new leaf just where you wanted it!" Ficus are good starter plants. They are tough and grow fairly quickly and can be kept indoors. Most bonsai are outdoor plants. Ficus do tend to drop their leafs and look like crap for a while. Too much water or too low light or a real big temperature change seems to cause the leaf drop. Also be aware that they will exude a latex goo from the cut that might stain a table or floor, just put it on a piece of paper when you plan to pune it. It is a good thing to set and (maybe roll one first) just look at your plant and imagine where branches or leaves should be. You'll find yourself having a new appreciation for full size trees in nature as that is really what we are copying or tryng to imintate. You might see if there is a nursery in your area that does classes or has supplies. It looks to me that you could start training that lower limb down. You need the appropriate wire and raffia wrap for the wire so as not to scar the branch. Do a little reading first. My advice is that if you aren't sure if you should prune a branch then STOP, and come back to it a day or two later and have another look. I think it is a good idea to get a few cheap plants form a nursery or even a yard sale to pracitce on. Most of the conifers, junipers especially, or a cottoneaster are great subject to play with. This time of year is a great time to find some bargains. Get them home and then just start into it. You will lose a few plants as you learn, not a big deal. Cheaper than a lot of hobbies. Good luck and have fun BB
I don't know how I missed this, but omg thanks man. Didn't think there'd be any bonsai growers here Yeah, I've seen some stuff online of some old trees like that, gives me something to aspire to one day. I know it's so much patience, years and years of waiting for major changes. and I love that about the internet too. Brings so many people together to share their knowledge, like you for example. as a martial artist of 18 years and counting, I completely understand patience and the dedication to make little changes over time to change the whole big picture I had read the same thing, and thought it would be silly to start with anything else besides ficus. I know I will probably kill it, but at least it will be able to stand my abuse as a newbie I think my leaf drop problem came from the root system. I had repotted it recently after getting it, since I was sure how old the soil was from the nursery or how long its been, and there was very very little root hairs and roots in general. No decernable rootball in the slightest. Not to mention when I trimmed up the longer ones and attmpted to wire it down in the pot again, the 4 small surface roots were barely big enough to be able to wrap the wire around. I ended up having to rotate the plant in order to get it wired down, so I'm hoping I didn't fuck up the orientation of it. Sigh I have been looking at much more trees online and in naure, observing how they grow and look, because I realizd before bonsai I never really looked or appreciated their shape or structure, and being able to imitate that will only help with my art There is a bonsai society around where I live, I am planning on looking into that soon. and the lower limb, got it. Will definitely make sure I get the right wire for it. because the nursry that butcherd the roots of this guy before sending it to me also left wire on the tree where it curves, at first i thought it was a vine because it was so rusted to the color of the tree. Left huge scars in my trunk: and not to mention the lack of care in trimming the apex of this guy I wish my tree would grow at all so I could begin pruning something at least. all i have cut were dead branches and leaves. Not much left to the plant, hopefully it will recover and begin to grow. I should look into getting a cheap plant from my local garden store, where the bonsai society is. Prob will have a good sale this time of year like you said, and I could get more experience pruning with some other types of trees I wouldn't care bout losing as much. This one I have now is sentimental because my gf bought it, and I like it despite the problems the stupid nursery gave me. Never order from amazon, less learned. Thanks for your help my man, it's great the internet could bring this type of information and sharing between people of shared interests.
