bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - just got my first bansai... what should I do first? (MASSIVE Embedded Pics)

Sorry, I don't know much about the species. Let the frost season pass (as someone else said), and then put it outside. For a beginner, it's a bit hard to keep plants inside. Most of the people on here have really nice lighting systems, and that's how they get the growth inside. With it being in the window, there's a risk of the leaves burning from the magnification of the sun.

So put it outside, and then when it's ready, put it in the ground, or in a large pot so the trunk can thicken up. You should keep it in the ground or in the large pot for about 3 years, and in that time let it grow wild, you don't have to do any trimming, because you're wanting the trunk to thicken. Right now it's in shock because it was in shipping, so let it acclimate first. Put it in a place where it gets sun, but not too much, and have a humidity tray (a tray with pebbles underneath the pot, filled with water) to keep the humidity up.

This may all seem confusing, but in that 12 months it's getting used to your climate, and the time that you are letting it grow wild, you can read. Read books, read the forum, read articles, read anything. Join a local club (local clubs help you a bunch) and bring in your tree to receive feedback.

Have fun!!

26-Mar-2008	#5
SlapSlapSlappy bonsaiTALK Artisan Join Date: Dec-2007 Location: Phoenix Country: AZ USA Posts: 102	Sorry, I don't know much about the species. Let the frost season pass (as someone else said), and then put it outside. For a beginner, it's a bit hard to keep plants inside. Most of the people on here have really nice lighting systems, and that's how they get the growth inside. With it being in the window, there's a risk of the leaves burning from the magnification of the sun. So put it outside, and then when it's ready, put it in the ground, or in a large pot so the trunk can thicken up. You should keep it in the ground or in the large pot for about 3 years, and in that time let it grow wild, you don't have to do any trimming, because you're wanting the trunk to thicken. Right now it's in shock because it was in shipping, so let it acclimate first. Put it in a place where it gets sun, but not too much, and have a humidity tray (a tray with pebbles underneath the pot, filled with water) to keep the humidity up. This may all seem confusing, but in that 12 months it's getting used to your climate, and the time that you are letting it grow wild, you can read. Read books, read the forum, read articles, read anything. Join a local club (local clubs help you a bunch) and bring in your tree to receive feedback. Have fun!!