Got a tree. So, now, erm?

[provoked]

Hi All,

Well - early Christmas gift this year. Wife and I were walking through a local shopping center and the Bonsai nursery near our area had a stand in the middle of the center.

I've always admired Bonsai trees and have always marveled at the precision and care required to keep them thriving. Long story short, ended up buying (what I think is) a nice Juniper Squamata Prostrata. The people at the nursery were nice enough, however wasn't able to really get the "start" I needed.

I've been reading articles about Bonsai in general around the internet as well as specific articles for my species of tree, and to sum it all up, I'm lost....

What I know so far:
- Don't water too often. I've only watered it once since Sunday, and only after doing a moisture check with my finger
- Prune with fingers, not scissors as it scars
- I want to go for the traditional upright style? (If possible anyway)
- .... and that's about all.


What has confused me so far:
- Some say the plant will be ok indoors, others disagree?
- When to make branch cuts? After growth?
- Buds. I have no idea what I'm meant to be looking for?
- Fertilizer - I've seen mention of a fish based food? Some mention low nitrogen one period and high nitrogen another?

In other words - I don't know much, however I'm keen. What are the first few things I need to do? What do I need to buy?

Heres a photo of my tree - it's nothing in comparison to some of the ones I've seen here (and oh my they are works of art!!). I'm happy to read material - but would be good to be directed to material that is both related and written for my level (i.e. Bonsai for Dummys). Also - the top of the tree (apex?) has me rattled - it bends downwards. Is this normal/accepted?



Thanks in advance!

[rch003]

What I know so far:
- Don't water too often. I've only watered it once since Sunday, and only after doing a moisture check with my finger
- Prune with fingers, not scissors as it scars
- I want to go for the traditional upright style? (If possible anyway)
- .... and that's about all.


What has confused me so far:
- Some say the plant will be ok indoors, others disagree?
- When to make branch cuts? After growth?
- Buds. I have no idea what I'm meant to be looking for?
- Fertilizer - I've seen mention of a fish based food? Some mention low nitrogen one period and high nitrogen another?

Yeah, it is deffinatley an outdoor plant, give it something with morning sunlight and maybe partial shade throughout the day
You will need some bonsai wire to start your orientation

Buds (new shoots of growth)

Its good to make the branch cuts in the late winter i assume so that the spring has its growth, where you want it, i have to read up on pinching techniques etc. Junipers are pretty good, give them the good fertiliser now, charlie kelp, seasol power feed etc from now till about end of feb, then maybe once a month etc.

[Pup]

Impulse buying is always fraught, with disappointment, after you have got it home and have no Idea what to do, especially with the wrong information.

First you said you have a tree, where do trees grow? out side in the open paddocks wind swept shores in the hills and so on.

The best bit of information to give you is keep it alive,by watering as needed, use a paddle pop stick put it in the soil, when the dampness on the stick dissapears it needs to be watered.
Buy a beginners book, You to can grow Bonsai in Australia, by Vita and Dorothy Koreshoff, ISBN0 908175 63 9 Published by Boolarong Publications. Is a very good one, it started me off 25 years ago, and I think I grow some pretty nice trees now.

Then when the new season for clubs starts join one. There are plenty in Melbourne, all will help you in your new venture. If you are serious.

Cheers Pup

[rch003]

Hey man, where did you get that book from, did you order online or see it instore

[Pup]

Hey man, where did you get that book from, did you order online or see it instore

I have had the Book 25 years so it was in a store yes.

[rowan]

I suggest you place your tree on a bench in the garden shaded from the hot afternoon sun and admire it. Don't do anything to it except water it then, as already suggested, join your nearest bonsai club in the new year and get some advice from them as where to go from here. Bonsai people are very helpful and you will be surprised at what they can help you do with your tree.

The nursery where you got it has been going since I was young so I assume the tree is in a good soil mix, this means you don't have to worry about overwatering it.

Many first trees die but it is a great learning experience as long as you stick with it. I wish you and your tree well.

[Ron]

Hey man, where did you get that book from, did you order online or see it instore

You can usually get copies on eBay:

http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trk ... Categories

There's usually a wide variation in price so check all the entries (and don't forget to compare the postage costs).

[bonsai_Dan]

Hi Provoked,

Welcome to the forum

Books you can find online, your local library and in the shops. Be careful with the online book stores as sometimes you end up paying more in freight then for the book it self and waiting times for when they come from overseas can be quite extensive and thats if they turn up at all. Most of all with Bonsai though is be patient the little trees take some time to develop and mature. IMO Bonsai's are best kept out side but can be brought in for about 2-3 days max but even then there not a big fan of it due to the lack of sun (may course more problems then what its worth). I'd only bring it in side if you have guests coming and you want to show off your new addition

Enjoy
Dan

[provoked]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Placed the tree outside this morning where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade - just hope no one steals it! It's a new house, and the outside isn't quite finished (i.e. Started).

@Rowan - thanks - how did you know where I got my tree from? (orient Bonsai - Reservoir)

@Pup - regarding that book, any idea where I an get it from Melbourne CBD? Would borders stock it?

Finally - re clubs, are there any in the Northern Suburbs?

I guess I'm anxious to try things with the tree, but I guess it needs time to mature?

[Ron]

.... Be careful with the online book stores as sometimes you end up paying more in freight then for the book it self....

Worth considering:

I have a large collection of bonsai books and got most of them online from The Book Depository in the UK

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/

Books are much cheaper than here in Australia and they send by free express airmail: I usually get my books within a week or two and none have ever gone missing (I've bought 100s of books from them over the years since I first discovered them).

[Grant Bowie]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Placed the tree outside this morning where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade - just hope no one steals it! It's a new house, and the outside isn't quite finished (i.e. Started).

@Rowan - thanks - how did you know where I got my tree from? (orient Bonsai - Reservoir)

@Pup - regarding that book, any idea where I an get it from Melbourne CBD? Would borders stock it?

Finally - re clubs, are there any in the Northern Suburbs?

I guess I'm anxious to try things with the tree, but I guess it needs time to mature?

Hi,

Below is a link to the AABC website which gives a listing of bonsai clubs state by state.

Grant

http://www.aabcltd.org/downloads/Club%2 ... 0state.pdf

[rch003]

Geez before i hijack this thread, you guys are more helpful than medicine

[Gerard]

Below is a link to the AABC website which gives a listing of bonsai clubs state by state.

Grant

http://www.aabcltd.org/downloads/Club %2 ... 0state.pdf

I have just checked this link,
Bonsai Society of Victoria does not meet in Auburn South (not for years)
they now meet in Kew (if you shop at Northland that is probably your closest club) also not listed is the Northern Suburbs bonsai club (a very small club which meets in Lalor)

[provoked]

also not listed is the Northern Suburbs bonsai club (a very small club which meets in Lalor)

And that would definitely be the closest for me!

I'm not sure if I want to join a club just yet however. Is it possible to read and teach myself for now? Or is it impossible without joining a group?

The one thing that I thought I would enjoy about Bonsai is the independence - can work on it at home in the comfort of your own backyard. No need to travel to and fro to enjoy the hobby.

[rch003]

Yeah you can, but you can look at doing a beginner class.

I started about 4 years ago and mine really haven't grown :/ if not gone backwards, so in the new year, i am going to the local nursery and have a couple classes and get the basics of treatment and care