Bonsai Trees

opethdisciple

opethdisciple

opethdisciple

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I am thinking of buying a bonsai tree for my sister for Christmas.

The one I am looking at is advertised as beginner friendly.

Does anyone know if they are relatively simple to keep healthy?

Do they need any special food?
 
Is she going to keep it indoors or outdoors?

How large are we talking, what specific breed? Chinese Elm are probably the easiest to maintain, but it's an artistic thing more than anything else so she would need to prune regularly.

Is it an interest of hers and something she'd be willing to research a little? I've had Bonsai trees in the past but ended up passing them on, they don't require massive work but can be awkward to maintain/groom properly if you're not invested. Most of my current house plants are cactus or low effort type things, and a couple of low water requirement palms.

See here for a breakdown/guide: https://www.allthingsbonsai.co.uk/b...VbLN2efv4pM-Xzx4kLO84XmuaYQp_ja5pMLN06j9gqNVq
 
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Gray2233 said:
Is she going to keep it indoors or outdoors?

How large are we talking, what specific breed? Chinese Elm are probably the easiest to maintain, but it's an artistic thing more than anything else so she would need to prune regularly.

Is it an interest of hers and something she'd be willing to research a little? I've had Bonsai trees in the past but ended up passing them on, they don't require massive work but can be awkward to maintain/groom properly if you're not invested. Most of my current house plants are cactus or low effort type things, and a couple of low water requirement palms.

See here for a breakdown/guide: https://www.allthingsbonsai.co.uk/b...VbLN2efv4pM-Xzx4kLO84XmuaYQp_ja5pMLN06j9gqNVq
Click to expand...

The one that caught my eye is this one.

She isn’t that invested but I am sure her husband will look after it as he is a green thumb.

I envisaged they would keep it in the house.
 
Just point her to some videos or books and I`m sure she will be fine.

The businesses selling them should also have care guides.

That business has videos actually.

 
opethdisciple said:
The one that caught my eye is this one.

She isn’t that invested but I am sure her husband will look after it as he is a green thumb.

I envisaged they would keep it in the house.
Click to expand...

It's genuinely a case of necessary investment, they're usually in small pots to stunt growth and you need to do some pruning to make them grow how you'd like but also need to measure water intake. You give them too much they die, you give them too little they wilt. It's not hugely problematic but I personally find that things can go wrong easily without a little effort, if her husband is keeping an eye on things and likes them absolutely grand. It'd actually be a nice couple thing tbh, she prunes and he takes care of general maintenance.

Chinese Elm is absolutely the way to go as a starter.
 
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if they’re not that invested, worth considering a terrarium pack as an easier alternative. Takes a few hours to setup but then it’s done and looks great. Very low maintenance. Similar price point. Example here.

I bought my parents one last year. They loved it and bought me one. I love it too (except I left it in the sun and cooked the plants - need to restock).
 
I took delivery of my bonsai tree today which you can see in the spoiler below.

IMG-20251217-WA0005.jpg

My only disappointment is that it doesn’t have much leaves nor branches.

Is this something that the tree over time will grow more of?

Thanks

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Also as the tree isn’t for me but for a Xmas present for someone else if I leave it wrapped up as is for the next week will the tree be OK?
 
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opethdisciple said:
My only disappointment is that it doesn’t have much leaves nor branches.

Is this something that the tree over time will grow more of?

Thanks

---

Also as the tree isn’t for me but for a Xmas present for someone else if I leave it wrapped up as is for the next week will the tree be OK?
Click to expand...
It will grow more, but very slowly.



This is mine but its about 70 years old. And no, it probably wont be happy being left wrapped, its still a tree and needs light/humidity to survive so being shut in a box wont do it much good.
 
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