Need help with first bonsai

JammyDoger

Hey. I received my first bonsai today as a gift from a friend. I got a small book with it which told me the basics. It says that you should only prune your bonsai in a certain season but i am having a bit of trouble identifying which kind of bonsai it is.

http://boomshaa.net/file/436.JPG
http://boomshaa.net/file/437.JPG

The pictures are a bit blurred because the camera sucks. I'll try take some more if it's a little hard to see.

Also, I don't suppose anyone could give me some tips on cutting it as I don't know where to start.

Edit: There we go, a clearer picture http://boomshaa.net/file/438.JPG

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redhawkbonsai

JAMMY:

Try to fill in you bio: country, state, city/town...etc.

This might help us to determine what it is.
Tell us where it was purchased too. Some more pics will help too.
Come on don't be bashfull!

redhawk

ps oh, by the way WELCOME to the Bonsai TALK!!!

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JammyDoger

Thank you. I've filled in the country/place etc

I've got some more pictures:

http://boomshaa.net/file/439.JPG
http://boomshaa.net/file/440.JPG
http://boomshaa.net/file/441.JPG

I'm not sure where it was from as it is a birthday present.

MelloBonsai

It looks like a serissa to me

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BarbaraM

Happy Birthday Jammy Doger and welcome.

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"What I like about bonsai is that it has a beginning but no end. A bud today becomes a branch tomorrow. It is like searching for the rainbw's end; the farther it is pursued, the farther away it is." John Naka

JammyDoger

Thank you BarbaraM

Seeing as i've had it a day now, when do you think I should water it? Also when should I start pruning it and how would I go about doing it?I've read on another forum that when you first get it you should leave it for a while to settle in.

Thanks everyone for being helpful

fujianteabud

nice bonsai,but im not sure what it is

have a nice day

PatArizona

G'day Jammy...

Welcome aboard...

The following may be more than you asked for...so, read it throughout and then use what you want...and ask more questions...

The most important element in watering your bonsai is the SOIL! To minimize water-related problems, I use a free draining soil mix that will allow water to run through, and at the same time, absorb water and oxygen.

In order for you to water your bonsai properly, you need to learn the watering needs of each of your trees. One of the following statements should describe the needs of each of your trees:

Keep moist at all times, but not wet.
Water only if the soil is drying out.
Water when the soil is almost dry.
Water when the soil has dried to the point that it will be DRY before your next watering.
When soil is DRY, water yesterday.

The second most important element in watering you bonsai is: water each individual bonsai only when it needs watering…and every time you water it, give it a thorough drenching!

The Watering Process…this process assumes the use of a proper, well draining bonsai soil mix.

To determine when a bonsai needs watering, check the water content of the soil at 1½-2” below the surface. I use a small “chopstick” (a bamboo skewer) in the soil to indicate watering requirements. (Some say to stick your finger into the soil to assess moisture level. However, I tired of having to clean my fingernails every time I checked for water needs).

Daily, for each individual bonsai, I pull the “chopstick” out of the soil and check the moisture. If the bonsai needs watering (moist, drying out, almost dry, dry…), I do not replace the “chopstick” until after watering…no “chopstick” means water now”! If you are not certain of the state of damp/dry, wipe off the dirty end of the "chopstick" and draw it lightly across your cheek (or the under side of your wrist). That will give you a feel for how much moisture is in the soil.

With experience you may be able to tell when a plant needs water by lifting the plant, and/or by what the plant looks like…goodbye “chopstick”!

I then water each of the identified bonsai the same way…always overhead watering, never by emersion. Use the following steps:

Water lightly with a fine spray, from a distance of 12-18”… just 10-30 seconds (depending on the size of the bonsai being watered). This will relax the surface tension, allowing the free flow of water…wait 5-10 minutes.

Move the spray nozzle closer, and water until water runs freely out through the drain holes.

IMPORTANT NOTE 1…watch how fast the water starts draining from the bottom of the pot. If it is almost instantaneous, it is likely that water has flowed to the edges of the pot, drained down and out…bypassing the soil and root ball. This bonsai may be rootbound. If “standing water” takes more than 1 minute to drain, the soil is not draining freely enough…watch for root rot!

IMPORTANT NOTE 2…water the plant for a sufficient period of time to be sure that the soil has been completely hydrated, without relying solely on water emerging from the drain holes as an indicator of proper watering.

This watering will loosen dust and dissolve excess and unwanted minerals and salts, which have collected in the soil. As the water runs down through the soil, air is drawn into the small channels between the soil particles…if you listen closely, and your hearing is good, you may be able to hear the air rushing in! THEN…Wait about 10 minutes for this process to work.

Now, give the soil a good drenching…this watering flushes out the remaining dislodged excess and harmful waste materials.

Give all your bonsai a good foliar spray about once a week…to remove dust and dirt.

This is what works for me...try it. Or not.

It might work for. Or not.

Again...welcome aboard...enjoy thye journey.

Pat

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THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

eeiko321

thats definately a pretty nice gift u received.....

its not cheap from the looks of it.

good luck