what bonsais to start out with??

melisan

I have an opportunity to visit a bonsai farm with mature bonsaiis in garden pots (black ones), but since I am just a wee beginner, I think it is important to focus in on just a few different types of trees. I already have 14 year old Ulmus Parvifolia and a 6 year old Cotoneaster that I bought up in SF. I also have a Chaenomeles Japonica "chojubai" and a Juniperus Procumbens that are just infants. I planted these in bonsai pots at my first bonsai club meeting last month. I will be grey before these turn into bonsai So, already I have 4 different trees to learn about. Needless to say, I am reading books and articles/ posts on Bonsaitalk to try and gain as much incite on these plants. Just want to keep them alive

So, my question is, if I have a chance to buy anything I want at this farm (that's a big IF), what would you suggest? Should I get the same trees like another Elm? or should I get similar ones like other flowering trees or other decidious?


Advice to this beginner is much appreciated,
Melissa

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Will_Heath

I would suggest a Ficus.

Will

melisan

So Will,
What type of tree is this most like in terms of care?

Melissa

Carl_Bergstrom

Melissa,

Good question. There certainly are benefits to having more than one of the same species, so you can start to better learn the grow habits, watering preferences, etc., of each species.

On the other hand, early on, I think that is also very nice to learn about what you like. To that end, it can be nice to have one of each of a number of species. For example, if you're not inland, I would think that you'll be able to grow Japanese maples without too much trouble. You might enjoy having one to watch as it goes through the seasons.

I'd personally recommend holding off on the pines for a little while, but other than that, enjoy the process of watching various species go through the seasonal cycle and enjoy the process of learning which of these species resonate best with you.

Best regards,
Carl

melisan

Carl,
Great advice. Knowing me, I will want to get alittle of this and alittle of that. My in-laws called me today, in fact, and want us to dig up their 15 year old juniper that is about 2 1/2 feet tall. So, I can't pass up that opportunity. About the maples. I am fortunate to live 1.5 miles from the Pacific, we grow maples like weeds!! In fact, we have 2 weeping in large pots next to our koi pond, 2 others planted in the backyard and 2 in our front. It would be neat though having a bonsai acer to boot.

Regarding the juniper and the others I may be purchasing at this farm, I think I will try to put them in training pots. It seems that training pots are a good way to go. Have you yourself used training pots ?

Melissa

Carl_Bergstrom

Hi Melissa,

I have trees in training pots, trees in growing boxes, and trees in bonsai pots. Which one to use depends on the state of tree and on your goals for the tree.

Training pots would be a reasonably good starting place for many trees, though of course they won't put on girth at the same rate as they would in the ground or even in a large growing box (assuming that the root system is sufficient to fill the box, etc, etc.)

I'm glad you can grow maples easily there. They're a personal favorite of mine.

With my best regards,
Carl

melisan

Hello Carl,
I have read up on training pots, but can you explain about the growing box? I am leaning towards not growing trees in the ground because of what I have read about the root system getting out of hand. I have read that keeping them in a training pot will allow the roots to ramify, spread out vs. down and allow for a nice development of the nabari. I also have read that the trunk does not grow as quickly in a box as compared with in the ground, but these trees I am getting have good sized trunks.

Lastly, what soil should I use for the transplanted trees? Should I use bonsai soil with some of their original soil that is still around the root ball
Thank you so much for your ideas
Melissa

Carl_Bergstrom

Melissa,

Here's one thread about growing boxes, complete with some discussion, further links, and plans.

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=4478

As for soil - one could write volumes on the subject, and indeed if you use the search feature here, you'll see that people have.

In a nutshell: for conifers, leave at least half of the rootball intact with its old soil, use bonsai soil for the rest. For deciduous, you can bare-root if you repot at the right time (early spring, just before budbreak). What do I mean by bonsai soil? Well, that's where things start to get complicated...but for starting out, you can use a pre-mixed soil if you like, and adjust from there. Better yet, talk to people in your area or in your local club, and see what they use.

Best regards,
Carl

melisan

Thanks Carl. I do plan on making my own Bonsai soil and will be talking with locals here to see where to get the materials and more detailed advice.

Good Night Melissa