jjeter

Hi Mark,


Welcome to the world of Bonsai. I hope you enjoy it. I have done a little looking for the "japanese Ash" and could not find anything. I did find a Chinese Ash (Franxinus chinensis) and a Manchurian Ash (Fraxinus manshurica) from the US Dept of Ag (plants.usda.gov). I did not find anything specifically about ash as a bonsai, however, they are from the olive family (new to me), so I would treat them as an olive. This means that they are outdoor plants, except for maybe overwintering. You can probably get by with good protection and be OK. I don't know about UK winters so you might want to find a club near you and check with local members for wintering ideas. This goes for soil, repotting, watering, etc. I would not keep the ash to wet, being from thei olive family, they like damp but not wet roots. So let it get a little dry between waterings. A common mistake is that bonsai are indoor plants. Very wrong! With a few exceptions, they are outdoor plants. Some tropicals can make it indoors, but I put mine outside when the low temps are about the minimum growing temps.

My experience, first try to keep the tree alive and healthy. Then you can start on the styling, etc. I have killed many by doing to much to fast. I have had to take a step (or two or three) back from when I started. Take it slow and learn about your trees, how they grow and what makes them healthy. Keeps the cost down, and the emotion up (although it is hard to get down when talking bonsai).

Anyway, welcome to the addiction.

Jeff