Bonsai Trees
 

I spent a lot and just got one. Does anyone else have one?

I'm trying to figure out what indirect sunlight is and how to get some. Anyone know?

The one part I'm kinda annoyed about is the fertilizing thing. But whatever, I wanted one of these since the Karate Kid came out.

-Rudey

What type did you get, Rudy? I saw a gardenia one, and have been seriously considering it.

Ficus. I am going to go back and get a juniper too because that one wasn't too expensive.

It takes a lot of work supposedly. I'm going to see how long I can keep it alive.

-Rudey

The other day I saw a road side stand and they were selling Bonai for like $5.

I have two brown thumbs. However, since I'm stuck staying with my mother until she recuperates and she can grow just about anything, I thought this would be the best time to try! :D

I saw the gardenia one in a catalog, I think for Habit for Humanity. I have grown miniature roses, though - roses and peonies seem to be my speciality. And weeds (plural).

It not just about growing them though. I know mine will probably die but the lady I spoke to said it will help me learn. You have to buy wires and little shears and stuff to give it shape. I'm not there yet. I'm still trying to figure out how the heck to water this thing.

bonsaiweb.com has a lot of cool stuff on it. Some of these people have had their trees for 10-20 years and it looks beautiful. I have no idea how much those must have cost. Plus they're huge.

-Rudey

Someone once asked me if my black & tan miniature dachshund was a doberman.

I said, "Yes, she's a bonsai doberman."




Rudey, good luck with your bonsai.

I had one--- not sure of the type. I bought it at a roadside stand.
I kept it alive for a few months. I had to water it alot, per the instructions. I was told to water it alot, but not to over water as it would grow mold.
Good lucky with your little tree!

Fuck that shit. I always hacve this big ole urge to just take the shears to one and cut it off at the roots.

Plus, I think its a big ass conspiracy. The old chinaman selling the stuff always tells you the same thing, "ooh, it supa special banzai. It 75-yah old." How the hell are they always 75 years old? Cause about 60 years ago the US was boming the hell outta mainland Japan and I doubt people there were all "humm, the invasion is imminent, not to mention the ATOMIC WEAPON that was jsut dropped up the street, let me preserve this SMALL ASS TREE and bring its ass across the pacific, so my decendants can sell it on a street corner in the hood in 60 years. -OR- If you prefer the US version- Same shit, just the last part, "the US government is forcing us into deternment camps and we have to leave our houses and businesses to go live on a 'reservation', but I am gonna take this small ass tree so a white kid can buy it off my grandkid and play Mr. Miagi in 60 years.

Its a huge conspiracy. They look cool, but they weeds. You could grouw the same thing in three years if ya got shit from a hydro shop. Them fools know about growing shit indoors.

Rudey, sorry Dude, it will take a lot more patience than You have to keep it going!

It has to be treated like a lady first. Pampered and cared for.

dont you have to trim those things? i saw an episode of saved by the bell where mr. belding was trying to trim this tree in detention and screech trimed the entire thing. they were trying to win a trip or something from a radio station.

I'll have to get mightymike. He's TOTALLY into Bonsai, and has been for years.

During the winter months he used to have this lightbulb thing setup to give them sunlight. But, then he moved into a new apartment where he could set his trees in direct sunlight.

Yeah I got a pair of tiny surgical scissors for the leaves. You also get clippers for the branches to cut them in different shapes and make them concave.

Lifesaver, most of them are fake. The really cheap ones - especially anything sold on the side of the street is fake. A 10 year old bonsai is really hard to keep up.

Tom you're probably right. I almost threw it in the sink because the little pebbles on the tray fell all over this morning.

-Rudey

Yeah, hey ask him. I have no idea what indirect sunlight is but it's asking me to put mine in that. The people on bonsaiweb are mean.

-Rudey

Rudey, Indirect Sun Light Means not directly in the Rays of The Sun!

Set to the side of a window.;)

Oh Well. Never Mind! You spilled Your Rocks Off!:)

i never thought i'd say this - but listen to tom on this one (hah hah jk tom)

yah indirect - someplace where it is light during the day but doesn't have the sun shining RIGHT ON IT.

- marissa

- my husband does the bonsai stuff and he's got some good ones going right now

This is starting to sound like more work than I'm willing to put into a plant!

How exactly do you check how wet the soil is without getting dirt all over and hurting the plant? It says to stick my finger an inch into the soil.

-Rudey

A ficus is a good starting plant... so is a juniper. With the ficus, indirect sunlight can mean a few different methods.

1. Keep it near a Northern or Southern window seal. Make sure that the windows isn't drafty with cold air. The cold will kill it. This is particularly good in the winter months.

2. Purchase a grow lamp. Search the web and you'll find tons of different types. My advice is to stick with a "full spectrum" bulb as these mimic the suns rays the best.

3. In the summer, you can place the tree outside when temps stay consistently over 70 degrees. You'll need to provide shade to prevent the leaves from burning. The best way, again in my opinion, is to create a shelter for it using cheese cloth. Different thicknesses will filter out different levels of light.

As for watering, you shouldn't let it completely dry out between waterings. Once you've done it for a while you'll be able to pick up the plant in its pot and feel by it's weight to know if it needs water. Until then, use a toothpick or whatever to poke into the soil. If it's damp enough then hold off for another day. You'll need to check once a day. Daily and light mistings with a water spray bottle are helpful too. It helps keep the humidity up.

Lots more info is available on the web. If you have any questions just ask. Care for the juniper is completely different but I can help you out there too.

Mike

Mike, I've got some windows with good sun exposure. Here's my problem. It's not drafty but where I live it's cold outside so the windows still get cold you know? Should I still keep it there or somewhere else with a lamp?

-Rudey

Place a thermometer near the window to see just how cold it is there.

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Re: Are You A Bonsai Lover?
 

You mean, what a great company YOU have.

My godfather has one. When he goes out of town, my godmother pays me to come feed her cat and water the bonsai every 3 days. He treasures the thing, he says if I don't water it EXACTLY every 3 days, he'll know and I won't get paid. :confused: