Starter Bonsai Care

Dr. Bonsai,

I bought a bonsai starter kit at the mall a few days ago and I don't know exactly where to start. The kit I bought included a tree, I was told that it is a Chinese miniture juniper about 5 years old and 5" tall, a bottle of liquid fertilizer (it's blue and is only labeled "bonsai food" with instructions to use 1 tsp monthly May-Nov.), wire, a bag of extra soil and a bag fine gravel for repotting, an extra plactic rectangluar pot, and lastly a 20 pg instruction booklet called "Introducting Bonsai".

I live in southern Canada. I am currently keeping it inside by a south facing window, I live in an old house so my room is not insulated and therefore rather chilly (I have an uninsulated aluminum-sided barn that I could put it in). I am planning on picking up a spray bottle from the dollar store for watering because I understand it is easier to kill a bonsai by! over-watering than under.

Now that you know my situation this is what I'd like to know: 1st-regular care, my first priority is keeping it alive, 2nd-shaping, when to start, what to start with (pruning,wiring ect.), how much to do at a time, 3rd- if you can think of any books to recommend for a beginner in my situation your advice would be appreciated.

Thank you ever so much for your time and effort.

~Glorenfinel~

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TreeBay

Happy New Year & welcome to the forum Glorenfinel,

There are some tips in the FAQ on bonsai care. In particular, as you suspected, watering is a critical part of caring for your new tree. Rather than stick to a particular weekly schedule, it's better to check the tree daily and water as needed.

The blue solution is some type of inorganic, water-soluble fertilizer. It may even be miracle gro, pre-dissolved. It should be fine for your tree, but hold off on fertilizing until growth begins again in March or so. This (early spring) is also a good time to begin your repotting.

Chinese juniper is very hardy and should be able to withstand a winter in your area provided it has some protection from wind. Check a garden center in your area and see what they do (if anything) to protect the one-gallon material sold for landscape use.

Here is a site with some climate information for Canada and winters, historically

http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/ccrm/bulletin/winter96/page2.htm

It sounds like the indoor temperature of your unheated room would be fine. My main concern would be having enough light for the tree to remain healthy.

Regards,

Matt

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