Caring For A Bonsia Tree

[raybush]

I've always wanted a Bonsai tree and was thinking of getting one for either the Kitchen window cill , or a centre piece in the Dining room .Both areas are fairly warm and light .I'm only thinking about a 20 ish centimetre high tree nothing to big .
I know that there's loads of info on the net ,but really wanted some first hand knowledge and to hear from someone who has this type of tree and if they think that either of these two areas are suitable .
Thanks

[taichiperson]

In reality bonsai are not really suited to be indoors in a centrally heated house unless it's a species that's used to arid conditions and low light. Hubby has a lot of bonsai trees but doesn't keep any of them indoors - they are outdoors in pots or in the ground and regularly lifted to have the roots pruned (every two years or so). I can't advise on what species would be suitable, sorry.

When it comes to windowsills, consider the amount of light they will get - if it's South facing it will get sudden blasts of hot sunlight that will dry it out quickly, so North facing is better unless it's really dark.

Watering is crucial to bonsai - little and often is good, making sure they are also well drained so they don't get waterlogged.

[woofgang]

You can have something like a jade plant (crassula) that looks like a bonsai but isn't. Even the ones that are sold as "indoor bonsai" aren't really, when you look into care, they talk about cool bright conservatories. Mine all live outside...the bonsai versions of big trees and shrubs need the same growing conditions as their giant cousins. btw, I never root prune mine.

[atalanta]

Alas. I was given one for Christmas, by someone who should know I am notorious for being able to kill any house plant with a single glance. It did come with a little pamphlet, however, which said you probably can't kill bonsai trees. I thought, " Try me".
It sat on my kitchen windowsill and almost immediately lost all its leaves, so I thought it was dead. But Hallelujah, it is now covered in lovely fresh new leaves ! The plant murderer ( me) seems to have got away with it, for once. But there is still time . . . . . . watch this space . . . .

[hammerman]

Personally, forget the indoor bonsai you get from DIY shops and supermarkets....they simply will not survive due to lack of water (they will need daily watering and you will definately forget them) and they will end up with red spider mite. Crassula as mentioned above is a good idea but they just don't look like traditional Bonsai.
If it was me, get some for outside, they will thrive but water water water.

[raybush]

Thank you all for your valuable input .I don't think that the bonsai is the correct plant for me ,I think i'll plump for something else.
Kindest regards

[shoota]

Try an indoor azalea, they can often be pruned to resemble a small tree.