Bonzai!!

MowyTone · 19 Jun 2010 at 19:20

Looking into getting a Bonzai tree, have had a look and it seems that the chineese elm is good for starters. Has anyone else got a Bonzai tree and or have any advise for a starter? I've found a local dealer who is selling

15cm Shaped Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai.
30cm high inc ceramic tray x 20cm wide, £9.99

From what I have seen on other sites this is a really good price (wont be getting from site will go there are its 5 mins round the corner)

Any advise welcome

Ta,

PIMP

Greenlizard0 · 19 Jun 2010 at 19:21

When you go to an authentic China man selling these I heard shouting "BONNNZZZAAAAIIIIII" and make plane sounds is an instant sign of affection.

MowyTone · 19 Jun 2010 at 20:00

Heh, I'll keep that in mind

mrk · 19 Jun 2010 at 20:28

I'm growing a Red Maple bonzai tree, in fat it recently finished germination!

MowyTone · 19 Jun 2010 at 20:54

nice one, Is a Red Maple easy to look after? Have to admit they do look nice

mrk · 19 Jun 2010 at 20:57

No more or less difficult than any other Bonsai really although some say a bit more

I'm growing mine so will train it to a size of my liking!

Here's a link:
http://www.growing-a-bonsai-tree.co...g-for-the-japanese-red-maple-bonsai-tree.html

Buying fully grown ones cost several hundred£££ !

Mobius 1 · 19 Jun 2010 at 21:00

due to my recent success of growing a chilli plant (it hasn't fruited yet so, touchwood) i am considering growing something a bit more long term. would a bonzai tree be a good investment? i hear some are very fragile to water etc and you have to give them the exact amount or you could kill them?

mrk · 19 Jun 2010 at 21:08

The Maples don't mind a little extra water once a month as long as there's good drainage. Long term wise, these things are damn long term lol, to start training my trees I will have to wait another 12-24 months because right now the germination process is just ending and I need to leave in the container of compost for a few more months before pricking them out and putting them into Bonsai training pots.

If successful I will probably keep one for myself and sell the rest - should make a nice wedge of cash from them

cb_linus · 20 Jun 2010 at 20:08

Bought a new pot for mine today, it was a gift from a friend - a cutting from their bonsai tree ('Mr Miyagi' so mine has been named 'Daniel-San'

). Not 100% sure what type of bonsai tree it is but I suspect it is a Fuschia and will look pretty cool once it's a full tree

I'm just new to this myself but have bought a mini set to care for my tree - fact book / guide, secatur (for pruning) and some plant food.

If anyone has any tips or wants to post photos of theirs please do!!

Duke · 20 Jun 2010 at 20:13

Had two Bonsai trees and both died after a few months, so given up on them.

No1newts · 20 Jun 2010 at 20:26

I had one going for six month but went away for two weeks and my parents who were supposed to be looking after it never watered it once. It never recovered from that

King85 · 20 Jun 2010 at 20:49

Wasn't there a big thread on here about bonsai's before, I remember a guy having a few stunning examples in his garden.

Chris [BEANS] · 22 Jun 2010 at 20:44

Good thread. Moving this week and thinking about getting a Bonsai to make the place a little more homely...

£40 ish sound OK for a 30cm tree with pot, humidity tray and little bottle of fertiliser??

EDIT: here

MowyTone · 22 Jun 2010 at 20:51

I would check out THIS site as its got a lot better prices than other places.

As they are about a 5 min drive away im going down there on Friday (Payday

), so will let you know how it goes etc etc. I will also post pics of the two that I going to get, which should be a red maple and a chineese shaped elm. Oh! and check out the 'private collection' link as there are some nice ones in there

Chris [BEANS] · 22 Jun 2010 at 20:58

Good site, really does seem cheaper than other places online. Cheers

Begbie · 22 Jun 2010 at 21:35

I want one for my room, it will die though! :/

Vulcan · 22 Jun 2010 at 21:42

How often do the indoor bonsai trees need watering/feeding?

Le_Petit_Lapin · 22 Jun 2010 at 22:09

That looks remarkably like the one I have (although I'm still semi-convinced its a bit of privet hedge).

If it is the same one, get it, mine refuses to die, no matter how forgetful I am with looking after it.

I forgot about it and left it in direct sunlight when it was 27 degrees the other week, and the half that was in direct sunlight is dead.....The other half is grand though!

Longbow said:
How often do the indoor bonsai trees need watering/feeding?

Buggered if I know, I just have mine in its ceramic pot inside a 4 inch deep tray. Every couple of weeks I fill the deep tray with water. Its worked all right for 3 years, probably not the correct method however. I imagine Mr Miyagi would be turning in his grave.

MowyTone · 23 Jun 2010 at 12:08

Depends on the type of Bonzai I think. Some will put up with more/less than others. I read that letting it sit in water for 15 mins and then take the pot out and let it drain is what should be done (once a week) if thats any help

Nexus · 23 Jun 2010 at 12:15

They are defiantly a plant/tree that requires a lot more micro-management than others. So if you aren't looking after it properly and doing all the required things for it, it will die.