Hello, New Member, And Some Questions

tricker

Hello everyone, I finally found a good Bonsai Forum.

First of all, I just recently got into the art of bonsai a few days ago, after I was at a local store called Target(big corp store like walmart) and saw a Chinese Juniper(which took me awhile to figure out since on the tag it said assorted lol).

Well so far this is what I have done.

1. Condition from store: Moss around the base, and glued rocks.


2. Removed most of the moss, and also removed the top layer of glued rocks but left the top still covered in the large grit, but unglued.



also for more the link in my sig is the index for all the pictures.

I have a few questions about my plant...

1. I'm planning on replanting it since I dont trust the soil target put in it is good draining and as healthy as it could. So on the 20th of jan, a local bonsai nursary is opening up, so i plan on taking it to them to help replant it if they can. Think this is worth it?

2. Right now the temperature in colorado is pretty extreme, from very cold to mild. So I plan on keeping it indoors until it starts getting warm. Think this will kill the plant? I have a good lighting setup and humidifier in my room to keep the humidity up and good lighting with flourecent lights, the only thing i cant really change is temperature. any hints?

3. I'm Looking for some ideas on some exotic indoor species that would be tropical and yet look unique, like the japanese red maple or something, if you could post pics and name off some species I would greatly appritiate it, or even link me to a species guide for the best indoor bonsais and with pictures.

Thanks.
Glad to be a new part of the community and hope to someday soon start helping others. Thanks.

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Frank Kelly

If you feel the need to transplant the tree, just put it in a bigger pot with a well draining soil mix don't cut any roots until spring.

I'm not sure what temperatures you refer to when you say extreme, but remember that junipers are an outdoor tree and will require a period of dormancy so dont keep it indoors if it at constant room temperature, an unheated garage should be ok

Red maples are also an outdoor tree, which should only be brought indoors for short periods during the growing season, and the leaves turn from red to green if starved from natural light in a short time. Leaf cutting can be carried out to grow new leaves that are red.

Jay

Hi and welcome!!
I agree with Frank about the Maple! Also agree that the Juniper is an outdoor tree. I disagree a bit on its treatment this year.

This is what is called by many a Mallsai, a mass produced, Bonsai type tree that is shipped with glued on rocks to do two things. 1- keeps the soil from falling out in shipping. 2- to a degree keeps the moisture in the pot. It is marketed in Malls and at 'Big Box' type stores. The Juniper is an easy tree to make look good and that will look alive for a long time after it is actually dead. I tell you this not to scare you, but to let you know if this tree does not make it, it is not you!

I would try and keep this tree in its present container until spring. If I had to, I would do what Frank suggests, remove the entire tree and soil and place in a larger pot with good Bonsai Soil around it! I would do nothing to the roots or the branches until I was sure the tree was alive and out of danger.

Junipers can survive indoors for a year. They will not be as happy as if they had a dormant period, but this one has lost that possibility for this year. Keep it properly watered and try and mist it a couple of times a day! As soon as the outside temps are no lower than freezing at night, I would move it outdoors.

Your idea to visit a Bonsai Nursery is a good one. They will be able to give you first hand help and possibly give you an idea of the local Bonsai Clubs, if any, that you should join.

From your picture there is no reason to believe this tree will not make it, but remember like Christmas trees, which are dead as soon as they are cut, they look good for weeks afterwards and they get little to no water while in transit!

Good luck and keep active
Jay

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Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

tricker

thanks jay for the information, can you recommend any good indoor species that have a red appearance or just exotic and faily easy to maintain for newbies like me.

also when i found the bonsai it was moist and watered, so hopefully it will survive. I have been also misting it but dont know how much to mist it with. should it be dripping water at all or just barely getting it damp?

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Mittar

Welcome to the forum Tricker. This is an excellent source of information from some really top notch bonsai artists. I myself and pretty new so I won't pretend to exude any wisdom, but there are many here who can and will help out.

My one suggestion, on the treebay website down on the lower right there are a bunch of FAQs. Read them all, they give alot of really good information. Then you can ask questions to fill in the holes that they leave. You can even get specific info on different species.

Another idea to get used to is that most bonsai are in fact outdoor trees. There are a few species that thrive indoors all the time but mostly they need exposure to the elements.

Ficus is one of the more common indoor bonsai. I'm not even sure I can name another one.

Anyway, welcome.

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Jay

Tricker, listen to Mittar the FAQ is an excellent area for info. You may also want to check out the Indoor Bonsai Forum, if you already haven't.

I think it is also important to evaluate your indoor growing area. Some indoors areas have some light others have less or more. You may need to add artificial light to your growing area. Some areas inside are warmer than others... this will effect which indoor tolerant trees you can get. Also inside a house has been said to be as dry as a desert. So, increasing the humidity is also a thing to think about.

I know i didn't give you a list of trees. First you need to evaluate you growing area, then unless you are willing to spend the dollars to alter it, you will need to find trees that can live in what you got!

__________________
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