Proud new bonsai owner

mr_miyagi

Hey everyone. I was just given a bonsai tree for Easter from my girlfriend. I have always wanted one, but I'm a little intimidated by how much care goes into it. I want to take special care of this wonderful tree but I don't know where to start.
I'm looking for tips on watering, pruning, feeding, light etc. I've searched the net but it seems every site has a different opinion.
Any thoughts...?
Thanks

Advertisement

Will_Heath

Welcome, you are on the right forum, the database of information here is astounding. First try clicking on the search button above on the tool bar. Try typing in "proper watering" for example and you will find many threads that will answer more questions then you have.

Good Luck,

Will

Aaron_K

Hi Mr Miagi,

I can only second what Will has said, you have found an excellent forum for bonsai here. Do you know what species of tree you have? It will be important to identify it, in order to give it the proper care (lighting, soils, watering, feeding and over wintering requirements etc etc).

If you are in the dark as to what tree you have been given, try posting a picture as someone will more than likely be able to identify it.

Welcome to the forum and to bonsai - be warned though, its addictive

Kindest regards,

Aaron

Adam_MA

Welcome,
I might also add, it would be helpful if you go click the link for "User CP" at the top of the page and fill in your location information. You don't have to be specific, but your state (if you are in the US) and your USDA Zone are almost a necessity for us to have to offer any good advice.

Adam

rockm

Welcome to bonsai. Don't be intimidated. The amount of care newbies think a bonsai requires is usually grossly overestimated. In fact, you can love your tree to death if you're too attentive.

The basics, if its an "outdoor" tree species like a juniper or a maple, get it outside. Even if it's a species of tropical origin meant to be kept indoors, get it outside if its spring in your area. "Indoor" species like Ficus, schefflera, fukien tea, and others do tremendously better when given a break outdoors in full sun for the spring and summer and brought back inside before frosts come in the fall.

Watch the watering. Don't water on a schedule, water when the tree needs it. The top half inch should be dry to dryish before you water.

Make sure the soil drains. If water stands on the soil surface for two or three seconds, it's not draining well. If it stands longer, it's not draining at all. Both situations are manageable, but not ideal. The bottom line, too much water rots roots. You are in charge of how much water the plant gets...

Also, choose a spot for the plant and leave it there. Plants didn't evolve roots for nothing. They don't like moving around...

Don't fuss with the plant. It requires far less care than you think. Keep its soil moist--not wet. Trim it every month or so (when it's growing--winter dormancy is a must for temperate plants like maple and elm) beyond that, let it alone and admire it from afar...

Good luck.

mr_miyagi

Thanks for your help everyone.
I'm working on getting a picture that will fit in the message.The tag says 'Juniper P. Nana'. Like I said, I'm completely new to this so I'm not sure if that helps.
The lady at the store recommend some liquid plant food (Miracle Grow-African Violet)- is this a good choice?
Also, if anybody has any pruning tips (what to prune, where, how, when, shears etc) I would greatly appreciate it.
The more I read about this, the more addicted I can feel myself getting...I haven't even started yet!

Thomas_J.

Since your new at this, and like most people you have a juniper Procumbens nana as your first tree, you might want to take a peek at these two recent articles I wrote for this species. Article One and Article Two . Hope you can get something from them.

__________________
Thomas J.

jeremy_norbury

Pruning - later.
Repotting - much later
Watering - yes - frequently.
Feeding - sometimes.
Indoor - no.
Outdoors - yes.

That's about it really.

Did I miss anything?

Jerry
Amsterdam

__________________

All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
I told you I was ill. Spike Milligan's Gravestone