help a beginer?

ShaneS

i'm looking to start my bonsai hobby. where is a good place to start?

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Aaron_K

Hi Shane,

Welcome to the world of bonsai. Many years of frustration and disappointment are to come, before you reach happiness - Or is that just a defination of married life? I digress.

Having only been practising bonsai for about 18 months now, I'm pretty much a newbie too, and know how daunting it can be. My advice to you would be not to buy a tree for a few weeks. Moreover, buying a book or two on the subject will be the best step forward.

Read all you can on the subject, from basic horticultural techniques, to growth, styling and of course, the terminology that goes with it. You will find this site a good source of information, advice and inspiration.

I started reading a few of Peter Chan's books and found them to be an excellent point of reference as they covered the basics and more advanced techniques in good depth, although any book by good bonsai practioners will suffice.

After you have spent a time reading a few books, I would then suggest that you purchase a tree. A good species for the beginner is a Chinese Elm, as they are pretty forgiving if mistreated. Don't spend a huge amount on one either. Just a nice little tree, that you can "practise" keeping alive. Learn about the species, how you should feed it and water it and its light requirements.

After you've successfully kept the tree alive for a few months, you can start looking towards such aspects as pruning and styling, and eventually repotting. Don't bother spending a fortune on tools either. Just a sharp pair of bonsai sheers should be all you need to start with. Your tool collection will expand over time.

I can fully appreciate that you want to dive into the subject, but by taking your time, being patient (I promise you - patience is a prerequiste), and gaining as much knowledge as you can, you should avoid disappointment.

I hope that proves helpful.

Welcome aboard!

Kindest regards,

Aaron

Carl_Bergstrom

You've found it! This site is an excellent resource for bonsai beginners. Because the quality of the advice here varies, I'd also recommend a good book or two. Colin Lewis' introductory books are very nice, for example

Start reading, and welcome.

-Carl

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mike_p

Shane, you don't tell us your location. Is there a bonsai club in your area?
For bonsai beginners, Sunset publishes a bonsai book that containes a lot of basic information. A local garden center or book store should have it.

Good luck!

Mike

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Man's attempts to improve nature,
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There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha

Delboy

Hi Shane,
This site and reading books will give you the information and guidelines for your journey through bonsai, but I've found that joining a local club and working on your trees through workshops gives you the confidence and more of an idea of what the books are telling you. Also the people you will meet will live in the same area, giving you a better idea of how to care for different species in your region. Also if you buy from a reputable bonsai nursery they will give you all the information you will need for the trees you purchase. i.e they will know when the tree was last re-potted etc.

Good luck & welcome to BonsaiTalk
Regards
Delboy.

Jonny

Shane,

Jump in and read as much about Bonsai as you can. These types of forums are a good resource too. Don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques, sometimes trial and error will send you in the right direction.

Jonny

Newt

Welcome!!! I agree with what has been said. Reading is the best way to get the basics. I agree with Mike, the new Sunset book "Bonsai" is a great beginer book! I also like Harry Thomlinson's books although his soil components are difficult to find in the US.

I would say your next step for getting the best advise here, on this site, is to go back and update you "profile" with info on where you live because that has a big effect on the advise given. For example if you live in Canada you will need to do things much differently than if you live in Texas.

Do not be scared off by the "initial" work required to get started, it is well worth the effort!!!!

Newt

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