Quote:
|
Originally Posted by alaskazach
Ok here I go! I have finally decided to take the plunge after keeping my house plants alive for two years now and would like to start Bonsai. After reading many of the tips for starting a bonsai is to plant it out side for one, two or three years, well living in the great frozen north I do not have that option unless it is a white spuce as the ground is frozen for most of the year.
The positive aspect is I get almost 24 hrs of sunlight for about three months and plants grow quick in the summer. Help me please, should I go out in the tundra shopping for a spruce or two or should I hit up a local green house for a starter or two?
Thanks again everyone I have learned alot about just in the two days of constant reading these boards!
AlaskaZach
|
Hi Zach!
I used to live 160 kilometers south of the arctic circle, so I think I know how you feel! You'll soon find out that for us "cool" people, it's basically useless to follow the timing described in books and such. "Collect your trees around March or April", with what? Dynamite?
The way you should get your tree, provided you don't live north of the tree line, is by collecting. I promise it will be the easiest way since very few nursery trees will be hardy enough for you, and in the beginning it's a lot easier to have species that can actually live outside the whole year rather than always struggling for survival because of the climate. One nursery species that might work really well for you is Larix decidua 'Sibirica' (could be Larix sibirica). It's extremely hardy and a really good tree for beginners. There are a couple of other conifers that might work as well.
What species grow naturally where you live?
A green house may be a good idea, but might be a bit costly if you're young and don't have an income.
My tip is to read up on how to collect trees, start with Walter Palls article below
http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/AT...0W%20Pa ll.htm
When you've read it, read it again...and again...and again
edit: If there are pines where you live I might be able to give you some hints of how to care for them since it's nothing like the books say when the growing season is as short as yours is.
Regards
Emil