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14-Feb-2008
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#1 |
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bonsaiTALK Neophyte
Join Date: Feb-2008
Location: California
Country: us
Posts: 2
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1st timer, a few questions.... (Embedded Pics Warning)
My fiance knew I was interested into getting into Bonsai trees and got this one from Lowe's. I have no clue where to start. What kind is it? Does it need trimming, if so how and where? Should I rip out the glued on rocks, heard they weren't good for the watering. And any other helpful info I can get. Thanks in advanced.
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Sponsor Message
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1st timer, a few questions.... (Embedded Pics Warning) |
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Forum Sponsor
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14-Feb-2008
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#3 | |
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bonsaiTALK Master Chief
Join Date: Jan-2008
Location: Sydney
Country: AUstralia
Posts: 1,651
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heya champ
ok firstly....... its a juniper........most likely a squamata....... secondly what you bought....is what you call a "MALLSAI" a type of bonsai...the more you learn about it and gain experience the more you stay away from. they are abused and neglected from super markets. Quote:
get rid of them or it will die from that crap. firstly, i would suggest.........scratch a bit of the bark on the trunk. see if its green because Junipers can actually show FULL healthy Leaves(foliage) weeks or even MONTHS after thier death. a HIGH percentage of mallsais such as yours are DEAD before they are sold. so do that first....... then.....rip that old man off and that fake rock...... rip all the glue out. soak it in water if need be. here is a LINK which would explain to you WHAT is a MALLSAI & WHY should we stay away from them..... and WHAT to do to save one upon purchase.... http://wiki.bonsaitalk.com/index.php/Beware_the_mallsai make sure u read this link good luck...... not that i am trying to turn you off about what you have bought.....but to be honest.....i bought one exactly like yours but withought glued rocks...i bought it as a gift for my mum.... and its because of that mallsai......it got me into bonsai. |
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14-Feb-2008
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#4 | |
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bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman
Join Date: May-2006
Location: Sydney
Country: Australia
Posts: 889
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Quote:
Please remeber, Bonsai is a cultured pastime. Not everyone is Ok with less than ciurteous language. We are here to encourage all comers in the persuit of our passion in a community minded atmosphere. Ken
__________________
When engineers work out how to make something Idiot proof, humanity invents a better Idiot |
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14-Feb-2008
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#5 |
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Sensei-in-Training (Very)
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Yeah, and besides, trying to disguise an obscenity by removing a vowel or two is like a bank robber trying to disguise himself by sticking a gold star on the tip of his nose. I'm not sure why so many people seem to think it actually works . . .
__________________
--Dale ---------- Co-author of Spiritual Telemetry, Host of Planet Baha'i and the Planet Baha'i Forum |
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14-Feb-2008
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#6 | |
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Heather Hartman
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As it was so eloquently put before....
Yes, remove the rocks. Give it a good watering. Frankly, if you like the mudman, keep him. Bonsai is for your enjoyment as well, and just getting into the hobby is a big step. If you like it, keep it!  Do that scratch test (just a tiny little it of the base of the trunk) as recommended. Hopefully there will be green beneath. Lowes generally has a high volume of these going in and out constantly, and there is a good chance it's alive. The challenge will be ignoring whatever care instructions it came with (likely incorrect), and doing what is right by the tree. Looks like a Juniper procumbens "nana" to me, more than a squamata. They are more readily available, cheaper, and generally used most frequently for bonsai like this one. I could be mistaken. However, both have similar care requirements and needs. After removing the rocks, checking the trunk and getting it a good watering your next step is to get that tree outside. Yes, these are outdoor plants and will die if kept indoors long term. As lovely as it probably looks on your sidetable or windowsill, the tree won't be happy there and no matter what you do, it will die. Find a nice spot that gets good sun outside, protected from winter winds as much as possible.
__________________
-Heather http://kitsunebonsai.blogspot.com/ "Learn about pines from the pines, and about bamboo from the bamboo." -Basho Quote:
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19-Feb-2008
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#7 |
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bonsaiTALK Neophyte
Join Date: Feb-2008
Location: California
Country: us
Posts: 2
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Thank you for the responses. I have already ripped out the glued rocks and made sure it was watered correctly. I heard about the scratch test before and it is green under the bark. I guess I will be finding a spot for it outside asap. Can these type of bonsai ever be maintaned inside or are they strictly for outdoors?
Last edited by artgaitan : 19-Feb-2008 at 03:31 AM. |
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19-Feb-2008
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#8 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Chief
Join Date: Mar-2006
Location: West Springfield Massachusetts
Country: USA
USDA Zone: zone 5
Posts: 1,203
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Strictly outdoors will be your best approach.
Read in the beginners section on soils, watering and basic care, the horticulture is the first thing you need to have a good grasp of, keep it alive is key.
__________________
If at first you don't succeed -- skydiving is not for you. Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else Enjoy this day. Bill |
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23-Feb-2008
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#9 |
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'Sayonara Style' Master
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Dale wrote:
"...trying to disguise an obscenity by removing a vowel or two is like a bank robber trying to disguise himself by sticking a gold star on the tip of his nose." Now that's just funny. |
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23-Feb-2008
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#10 |
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Bonsai hunter
Join Date: Feb-2008
Location: San Jose CA
Country: USA
Posts: 118
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I bought two of those a couple years ago. Its what got me into bonsai and made me want to learn more about what bonsai really is. But I can tell you it is fairly simple to keep one of these junipers alive. The first one I had died (my dad knocked it over and left it there with a broken pot). The second I still have and really had to think about what to do with it because it had such an undesireable structure. So what I did was do some reading about bonsai (you should buy a book or two for beginners) and in there I found many different styles to choose from (there were 18 in just my beginner book alone). Online you will not generally find such detailed information (unless you ask someone here of course) so next time you get a gift card to Borders for Xmas save it for another bonsai book. The first book I got BTW is called 'Grow Your Own Bonsai' by Colin Lewis. Its intended for complete beginners and was definitely helpful with knowing where to start.
So for your tree.. I bet the roots weren't doing very well in glue so I wouldnt go chopping away at the little fella just yet. Replant it firstly (that pot is fine just get all the glue stuff out of it). When the tree responds by new growth then you know you are doing something right. I would say about after a year (assuming the tree has responded well) you could start to style it. Read up on tools and different things you can do to transform the tree. Information will be your best guide. My little mallsai is actually starting to look somewhat like a real tree now after some proper care and training. So good luck and buy some informative books. -Justin Last edited by Nerfgunn : 23-Feb-2008 at 02:36 PM. Reason: misspelled some things |
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