Aaron_K

Hi Bonsai Beginner,

Welcome to the forum and to the subject of bonsai. My advice to anyone starting out, is to read, read, read!! Purchase a few books on the subject. Such authors as Peter Chan, Harry Tomlison are just two that spring to mind. Books such as these will cover in a good amount of depth, the basics of bonsai as well as some of the more advanced techniques and terminology.

As far as growing bonsai from seed, there is nothing wrong with it. I grow tree seeds myself with the aim of one day training them into bonsai. However, for someone wishing to start bonsai, seeds are not a good way to go about it, mainly because you will plant them, wait months before one germinates, and then wait years till it is old enough to actually train into a bonsai. By that time, I think you would be more than disillusioned with the whole thing.

Grow the seeds by all means, as it is enjoyable to watch something grow and develop that you planted. I would recommend purchasing trees too though, either as "finished" bonsai (which you can practise keeping alive, maintaining and repotting), or as raw material stock, to train and grow.

I have trees that are "finished" (I use that term loosely as a tree is never finished - well not until you kill it), I have seedlings and saplings too. Personally, I think its nice having the trees at different stages, as there is usually something to do at any given season.

So just to recap, purchase some books and if you can find one in your area, pay a visit to a bonsai club and have a talk with some members. Once you are done reading and getting information, purchase an inexpensive but nice tree and begin your path along the bonsai road.

Best of luck

Kindest regards,

Aaron