Newbie need some advice

[bonsaeen]

Hi All,

I have literally just started my bonsai journey yesterday i.e. Saturday 14th of January 2017. I went for a class and got ripped off (sort of). Paid $60 for the class and then the bonsai tree we were working on was offered to us at $70 and for some reason I just had to buy it. Later I realized that if i had just bought a juniper with the pot it would have cost me $40. Anyways today Sunday 15th I own 7 Bonsai trees WooHooo. I drove all the way from Glenroy to Hampton park to buy these beauties.

Now, since It's only been 2 days I have started doing this I don't have much idea. So looking for some advice.

I know there is no need for pruning at this stage. Should I repot some of the ones in very small pots ?

Should I do something with Maples to make them thicker or something ?

I mean right now I am just collecting information on how to care for these diverse species but any advise is welcome. I am planning to go back next week and get a couple more that i really liked today and I am hoping to get much more information from these forums.

fig.jpg

pome.jpg

christmas tree.jpg

Maple small.jpg

Maple Large.jpg

juniper.jpg

chinese elm.jpg

[shibui]

You paid $60 for a bonsai class and still have no idea what to do with the trees you have bought
All the trees you have are typical mallsai - very immature trees in bonsai pots and likely overpriced. Search for more images of real bonsai to see what you could be doing. Also search for ideas to convert the immature trees you have into real bonsai - very little should be wasted in bonsai.

[bonsaeen]

Well thank you for introducing me to the word "mallsai" I am still learning the real difference.

The class was an introductory class so let's see. I think internet would be a much better tutor and there is no replacement for hands on that is why i got these "mallsai". Other than the Juniper, I paid only $15 for other ones except for the large Maple which cost me $40. But price is not the matter as having a few mallsai still encourages me to keep going.

I will hopefully learn more in time and turn these ones into some good bonsai. Thanks

[Muddy]

I'm new to this hobby too, but have been reading, watching videos, self learning for a few years.
Here's my basic, general, mildly-educated advice;
You thicken trunks by growing the plants in the ground, or in large pots/boxes.
You develop the main branches when the trunk is almost where you want it.
During the above process, you develop the fine roots needed to survive in a small pot.
Once in a bonsai pot, you are halting the growth of the plant as much as possible. This is the aim of bonsai - Keep a tree in a small pot so it won't get bigger.
It is disheartening to read that you've had a less that ideal introduction to bonsai.
If you want your trees to get bigger, plant them in the ground using techniques like growing on a tile, through a hole in a tile, in a colander, in a grow box....
I have friends that are quite happy with their trees like you have, & just clip to shape & enjoy them just as they bought them. Whether you want to develop these trees or keep them as they are is completely up to you.

[KIRKY]

Ok, firstly welcome. Not sure who you did the course with, but you should have at least got some care advice for the tree you worked on.
Firstly Fig. You should take that out of the black pot because the shape of the pot will make it very difficult to get out as it gets older without smashing the pot. Also now is the time to work on figs so its a good time to do this.
Fyi both the Maples are Trident Maples.
The Trident Maples and the Chinese Elms are all deciduious Trees and should only be repotted in winter or early Spring before the leaves come out.
The "Christmas Tree" ???? Is a probably Norway Spruce/Picea Abies.
Two things I suggest you do is look up goole ie:- Trident Maple Bonsai Care for example and read up on the trees you have purchased.
Secondly, if you are seriously interested in progressing with these trees join a Bonsai Club. You can only learn so much on a forum... Its really nowhere near enough information for a beginner.
Cheers
Kirky

[Kevin]

Hello Bonsaeen,

Welcome aboard I'll just add 3 pieces of helpful info.

1. AusBonsai has its own Wiki, located at the top right side of every page. You will find a lot of helpful information about growing many plants there.
2. Bonsai requires lots of patience, your trees could live for centuries with the right care.
3. Don't be afraid to ask questions here on the Forum and always try to attach corresponding photos.

Good luck and i hope you have a rewarding and enjoyable journey in Bonsai.

Kevin

[bonsaeen]

Thanks all for your advice. I will try and work on the fig this weekend. I understand there so much I have to learn and I have already contacted a couple of bonsai groups near my area so hopefully will be joining their monthly meetings etc.

[treeman]

The pomegranate is nice. After the shoot has made about 5 pairs of leaves, just cut back to one pair of leaves continuously and it will develop on it's own just by doing this. No wire will ever be necessary.
Do the same with the Chinese elm and the trident maple. These will probably need a little wire to direct the branches when the leaves are gone.
The fig will need to go into a proper pot. You can cut back the branches nice and short and remove the leaves then wire for shape.
The juniper should go into a small unglazed pot next spring. This will need study as will the spruce.
The Japanese Maple is not easy. You will need to carefully study what to do with this. They are rather unforgiving when it comes to shaping. You will be looking for a smooth transition from one branch to the next and evenness throughout the tree . This is the number one point to aim for with these trees. How to achieve that will take a lot of studying and practice.
Good luck with your bonsai pursuit.

[shibui]

Forgot to add: You can enjoy your little bonsai in their pots and learn about caring for bonsai - water, feed, trim, repot, etc. In the meantime get some others and use growing techniques like Muddy has outlined and also more in Wiki and lots of other threads here to develop some striking tree shaped bonsai that ill eventually replace these little ones.
Developing bonsai in bonsai pots is not impossible. It does take a long time but the end result is usually far better than fast grown. Figs will thicken and develop even when they are kept in small pots. Treeman has given the bare bones of how to go with each of the species you have.
Enjoy your bonsai.

[melbrackstone]

Welcome, and you've come to the right place!

You'll always get good advice here, but I think the most important thing you need to learn is patience.... me? I'm still trying to find some...

Join a bonsai club to help get hands on experience as well, that way you'll have both options covered...meanwhile read, watch, listen and learn...

[melbrackstone]

pakistan.jpg

[bonsaeen]

Thanks guys for making me feel welcome and for the great advice. I understand I will have to be patient and that is one of the reasons I started Bonsai. I need to learn patience.

I did do something kind of stupid i.e. I ordered seeds for the following species:

1. Japanese Red Maple
2. Tree Wisteria
3. Dwarf Pomegranate
4. Japanese Cedar
5. Callery Pear

And a few others. Then I realised that this probably isn't the best time for growing from seeds so I will have to wait and then I looked up how to actually grow from Seeds and the process isn't as straight forward as I first thought. So let's see this will be good fun in spring probably.

The idea is to have a few young plants to learn to take care of them, pruning, repotting etc. hopefully have some very young ones that i can actually create cascade and other styles ( don't think i can do that now with my current trees as they are hard wood). But the whole purpose is to learn and enjoy.

[Jarad]

Absolutley nothing wrong with buying seeds mate. Growing from seed will help you to appreciate your plants more.