Bonsai!!!

[Dodger Gurl]

Hey guys, my honey just bought me a bonsai tree! I love it and don''t want it to die, does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[eks6426]

Don''t let it dry out but don''t keep it soggy. My parents have had one for 15 years and the first few years were challenging in learning the water/light requirements. Theirs looks like the same variety as yours. My parents one likes to be outside in the summer in filtered light.

 

[KittenKat]

DodgerGurl,


Gorgeous tree. I''ve wanted one for my office for a while... but I am scared I''ll kill it.

good luck to you!

 

[Rae~]

Yay! Bonsai...!!

I miss mine so much....

A little hard to see from the pic, but I think it''s a juniper? Not sure what the climate is like wherever you are, but some general tips:

Most bonsai should (usually) be kept outdoors, so that they experience the full range of seasons... if you *really* want to keep it indoors, at least make sure it can get a decent amount of sun, and is not near a heater in winter or anything...

The soil should never be allowed to become completely dry... When you do water it, water it carefully so as to not wash away any of the surface soil... but soak it completely (and soak *all* the soil, right to the edges of the pot) so that water runs freely from the holes in the bottom of the pot... but don''t let it sit in a tray of water (except perhaps in summer if you find the soil it is drying out within a day).... also in summer, spraying the foliage and surface of the pot/soil lightly between waterings can help...

At the beginning of spring, add a few granules of slow-release fertiliser to the top of the soil...

If it survives a year or so, you will need to think about learning how to root prune and repot - really not THAT hard, but still needs to be done carefully so as not to shock the plant.... junipers aren''t that fast-growing, so don''t worry about pruning yet...

Good luck!! It''s gorgeous....

 

[Rae~]

Ohhh, and I have to add this link - this guy has my DREAM garden......!!!!!!!!

http://home.eduhi.at/user/bonsai/Putz_galerie.html#bonsaigarten

I visit this page when I miss my bonsai too much... lol... sad, I know....

 

[Dancing Fire]

i kill a few bonsai in my life time.

wish i can keep them alive,sure would look nice to place some around my koi pond.

 

[Dodger Gurl]

Thanks gals! ID, your bouquet is so pretty! KittenKat, I wanted one for the longest time but was always afraid to kill it too. But my honey saw my face light up when I saw this one and he bought it for me. awww!

I''ve heard they require quite a bit of indirect sunlight so if you do end up getting one, don''t keep it at your office unless it will still get sunlight during the weekends.

 

[Dodger Gurl]

Thanks for all the tips Rae! And wow, that guys DOES have a beautiful garden!

 

[Dodger Gurl]

P.S. What happened to your bonsai garden, Rae? I really love that guy''s garden. The aerial shot is just awesome! But how did he get the aerial shot? LOL!

 

[Rae~]

DodgerGurl - I have moved (countries) a few of times in the last 6-8 years and have had to keep giving them away because I couldn''t take them...

Oh well... one day when we are settled we will have a garden like that link!!

OR, perhaps to start out with - like this one!!

http://forums.bonsaisite.com/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=1665