Good & Bad Species for Beginners

Heathcliff

The new moded version has now been posted above!

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conor

I am slightly baffled by this thread because I am a beginner and azaleas have been the easiest tree I've used. I have three and they flower profusely and grow well. I mix a little slow release azalea and rhododendron fertilizer into the soil and sprinkle the soil with bone meal in the fall. However, my success may just be the climate or the particular soil I use.

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-Conor

FredL

Generally, easy for bonsai means easiest to develop into specimens that look like bonsai rather than simply flowering specimens in pots. Azaleas are, indeed, relatively easy to grow in pots but are more difficult to prune and, especially, wire into bonsai forms than many other types of trees and bushes.

Fred

conor

I guess the thing is that the azaleas I have were all taken from construction sites and had a relatively good branch structure and ramification so all the work I have done is reducing and refining the foliage pads. I guess if you were starting from less suitable material, it might be more difficult.

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-Conor

conor

I just got the impression that they do adjust well to pot culture and pruning.

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-Conor

JohnB

I've been growing this one for about 10 years and finally carved the middle this year. I plan to do more detail work bext year.

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BrianBay9

I would add pyracantha to the list of easy species for beginners. They throw growth everywhere, budding back on old wood, and virtually can't be killed. Fireblight is their only kryptonite.

Brian

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John B

I intend to start off a few willows this year as they can be struck from four inch thick cuttings, you can get a real head start with them, I don't understand were your headed with your willow though, when I picture a willow I imagine it looking like this...

Attached Images

willow.jpg (12.6 KB, 310 views)

FredL

When I was in California, I found Pyracantha to be a terrific species....well, genus, to work with. Very under rated; perfect for beginners. At least, until I started getting some cases of Fire Blight. That sure caused me to lose interest fast. Fire Blight is devastating and strikes completely unpredictably. In California, it's pretty much just a matter of time until your Pyracantha bonsai contracts it.

Fred