Completely New To Bonsai

AdamS

Hi all. Something I have always wanted to do is to have a bonsai tree. Trouble is I really dont know where to start. I have done a lot of reading on a lot of different web sites and you just seem to get different info everywhere you go.
Basically, I will be keeping my tree indoors, so can someone please reccomend suitable trees for me to start looking at. Can any tree's be kept indoors, or are some harder work to keep indoors than others
I will be starting with a cheap(ish) tree, cos knowing my luck it wont last long!! What sort of room temps are best to keep them in. Any basic beginner info on what to look for when buying a tree, and basics on how to keep one would be greatly aprecciated. Also, I live in the UK so temps here are not gonna be as high as a lot of people's rooms on here.
Cheers in advance.

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Jay

AdamS, welcome. May I make a suggestion, there are a few UK members of this list. They may be able to give tou the info on a group or club near you... so please let us know where in the UK you come from.

No, to your question on indoor trees. Not all trees will be able to be brought indoors. As a matter of fact, no tree wants to be indoors but some, tropicals and sub-tropicals will tolerate it.

The best info you can get is from people local to you... so again welcome and where in the UK are you!

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

AdamS

Cheers Jay. And thanks for the warm welcome. Im from Cwmbran, South-Wales. Is there anywhere on the web I can look for kinda a list of indoor and outdoor trees, so that I can start to get some idea of what I can and cant have.
Cheers.

Frank Kelly

Adam

I think there is a bonsai nursery near Cardiff called Observatory Bonsai. Also if your near Bristol check out Glenbrook Bonsai Nursery which I think is in a place called Tickenham. I've been there a few times on my way back from Cornwall, and its prices are very reasonable.
Both of these nurseries have web sites.

The temperatures in South Wales can accommodate most species of bonsai.

AdamS

Hi Frank. When you say that the temps in South-Wales will be fine for most species of Bonzai, do you mean indoors or outdoors?? Out side is really not an option for me cos the dogs would have it in bits in minutes!!!!

salix

Adam,

Go for a ficus. They'll do well indoors and are good starter trees. Very forgiving. Maybe not the most exciting thing ever, but not bad, I guess...

KZitzewitz

I am with salix on tree of choice. Personally I feel that ficus is the easiest to start with for an indoor tree, they tolerate a little bit of everything (drought, over watering, pruning etc)... and when you think they are dead, they end up doubling in folliage size... well not that drastic... but they grow back very well.. On top of this, they are very cheap. At all the local places the only ones that are for more then 15 dollars US are ones with 1.5 inch trunks or bigger. These trees, whe summer comes around, will love a breath of fresh (outside) air. some other suitable species would include pomegranite, chinese elm, schefflara (sp?), citrus, etc...

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--Kristopher

Frank Kelly

Adam

I was refering to the outdoor temperatures. Salix, which you will know as Willow are a good choice, but for a beginer looking for an indoor tree, I'd recommend a Chinese Elm. Also you should be able to find good books on bonsai in your local library

Earl

Welcome to a great hobby and art, Adam. As others are saying, you can't bring in most outside trees. They will die. The only exceptions are the tropicals (and most of them won't do well, either, unless you have a real green thumb) but as has already been stated, go for Ficus or Chinese Elm. Both grow well inside and both are very hardy.

Buy "Bonsai in Your Home" by Paul Lesniewwicz. It is a very comprehensive book on indoor bonsai. It's not real new anymore (1994) but it will answer your questions.

Also, repeating what has already been said, try to find a club and local bosai nursery. You will get great local adivce and save yourself alot of grief.

Good luck,
Earl