Bonsai Tree

[slinky.kate]

I am being different this year,i am getting my son a bonsai tree as a wee extra,he has always admired them.dont have a garden centre near me,do you think a supermarket one will be ok

[ChillDoubt]

Should be ok. If possible, choose a Chinese Elm, they're very easy to look after and make great starter bonsai.

[slinky.kate]

chilldoubt thank you,i thought they were all just bonsai trees,did'nt know there were different kinds,i have written the name down on my list.

[Clanad]

Keep in mind the Japanese word bonsai simply means planting in a tray… meaning growing almost anything in a shallow tray. Every bonsai enthusiast has a different plant they prefer… I happen to think the Japanese White Pine is one of the most striking.

The art is not for the impatient or faint-of-heart. The small size is achieved with all species by repeatedly removing the plant from its shallow tray, combing out the roots and trimming them… which keeps the plant small nearly as much as the foliage trimming…

At any rate, most people (at least here in the U.S.) tend to recognize bonsai as being associated with the various fir trees… which will keep the plant in foliage year round, rather than the deciduous varieties… Best of luck!

[naomi24]

I've been given several but have never managed to keep one alive.

[ladybirder]

Me neither Naomi, nor my daughter who I bought one at Christmas. About a year and a half is the longest either of us have managed to keep them alive. I love them as well but have given up now. Personally I wouldn't buy a supermarket one as often they don't get watered properly and are left to dry out and in a draught. We have a specialist Bonsai shop here in Brighton but I managed to kill two of those as well.

[woofgang]

Clanad, I have bonsais, not massively old, the oldest about 25 years, I never ever ever root prune.

[Clanad]

Problems with bonsai are often associated with dry winter conditions. Most homes (at least here) have an interior humidity level of less than 25%… the trick to bonsai is a fine spray applied at least once a day. On wifts the spray (as fine as possible) over the entire plant, but not so much as to make it drip. Additionally, the "gravel" used to cover the soil (for art's sake) often disguises dry soil… it's all a balance… as I said,not for the faint-of heart...

[Clanad]

Hmmm, woof… unusual but I guess it depends on the varietal.

Personally, I think root pruning is one of the introspective aspects of bonsai. It's usually only accomplished twice a year or so...

[ladybirder]

I'd love to know your trick in keeping them alive for so long woofgang. My daughter and I even bought a book on it and followed it scrupulously plus internet advice, all to no avail.

[woofgang]

Mine are all outdoor specimens. i do put them in an unheated shed for the winter or cover with a frost fleece if it gets very cold but that's all. its essential that the pots don't freeze but apart from that they are very tough.

[anneasquith]

ive never seen a bonsai in a supermarket. only garden centres.

[ummmm]

The sell them in Morrisons.

[ladybirder]

Ah, mine were all indoor ones woofgang. Hmm, I'll have a think about an outdoor one as I have a garden now.

[woofgang]

plenty of water, excellent drainage and keep outside in a shady spot protected from wind. I have got a chinese elm, two beeches, a birch, a jasmine (parkerii, naturally small) a ginkgo and a couple of cotoneasters. I've also got a couple of olive trees, but they are naturally so slow growing that i don't count them.

[woofgang]

ladybirder are you sure they were indoor ones? They are often sold as indoor plants (like miniature roses and jasmines are) but actually they don't like it and do better outdoors.

[ummmm]

I have an olive tree. Are the leaves suppose to fall off in winter?

[woofgang]

mine don't lose all their leaves in winter.

[ladybirder]

Thanks woof. I'll have a look at those tomorrow but the Jasmine sounds good. The Brighton chap has a website so I'll see what he's got, lots of info as well.

[ummmm]

Mine still has lots but has also lost lots.

It's inside, I might put it outside?

[ladybirder]

Well on his website he has indoor and outdoor sections and he specialises in Bonsai and sells nothing else. He is very knowledgeable and in fact is a friend of friends. Thinking about it we have bought all ours from him except one which was from another specialist place. When you go into his shop he questions you about your home and the conditions you will be keeping the plant in and recommends accordingly. I'm too tired now to look through and find the ones we bought but I'm sure they were indoor ones.

http://bonsai-ko.co.uk/Here's his website.