Bonsai in Chicago?

Breezy05

I'm new here and would like to say "Hello".

I live in Chicago and was wondering what would be a good tree to grow on my balcony and in my condo?

Thanks
Breezy

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Deb

For on the balcony you could try junipers, or pines or even a little japanese maple. For the winter you would have to pull them back against the apartment wall where they would be a bit more protected from winds and such. I did lose a pine last winter and the climate in Vancouver BC Canada is a bit nicer in winter than where you are I think. If I were you, I would get a little inexpensive plant to start with and then for the first winter, fill a flower pot that is larger than your bonsai, with sawdust and sink the bonsai pot into that to insulate a bit.

If bonsai is going to be your "thing", then this first year (or two or three or....) is all about learning, so don't feel bad if you lose a plant or two. You will have many more years to test and learn and even the experts lose a plant every now and again.

Inside bonsai could be ficus, chinese elm, schleffera. Mind you, you have to make sure they get lots of light and apartments can be very warm and dry in winter so you would need to try pebble trays underneath them. I personally have been very successful with Chinese Elm and I am bringing along some of those miniature roses you can buy everywhere and I am going to try a little cascade with one of them. So good luck and have fun.

DJSend

Breezy,

Welcome to another fellow Chicagoan! There are a ton of options for you but our winters here can be pretty brutal and really mess with your trees so dont be bummed of you kill a few while you're learning! If you're in the city you should try and check out one of the Midwest Bonsai Clubs meetings at the Chicago Botanic Gardens (I think on Monday nights). There are a few clubs in the area but I think that would be the closest. Plus there are a few spring shows coming up and there's always trees for sale there! Just check their website and the site for the Prairie State Bonsai Society, should give you some good info. Best thing to do is to talk with other members and see what they have success with in conditions similar to yours. Back to your question at hand though, do you have good sun all day, part of the day or is it fairly shaded? That will be the first real factor in making your decission as some trees need constant sun and some prefer more shaded conditions. Best of luck and keep us posted on your choices!

~ Jay