El Funko
Seed
Not sure if this is allowed or not, so if not I'll delete the thread.
I'm just beginning my foray into this new hobby. I've been doing some research for a while, and for Christmas I asked for some basic tools and the DK book. I've added a few additional tools, through acquisition from my father and from Tian Bonsai on Aliexpress. I've sent in my registration to International Bonsai for Bill's Spring class. So I guess you could say I'm "all in" I just need some trees!
My dad bought these shears in the 80s. He always wanted to get into Bonsai, but never actually grew any trees. He did collect a number of pots (we've both grown succulents for a very long time), and these shears. Not a brand that's well known (Shiragiku - White Chrysanthemum) He's passed, so they're all mine now.
This winter I'm researching trees, styles, local resources, and especially my future winter plans. I'm in Syracuse, NY zone 5b (although I live on a hill above the city, so I may be 5a). I have an unheated (and un-windowed) garage at my disposal, as well as some outdoor semi-sheltered areas that I could use. I plan to focus on trees that will thrive in my climate, so I'm not sure yet how much protection they'll need. I put a thermometer in my garage in a spot that I could set aside for some trees next year, it's against the south wall. I'll record what temps I get there at some various cold days this year.
In order to keep my wife on the team, we'll also be looking for some "indoor" bonsai. During a visit to a local nursery yesterday she fell in love with an outgrown ficus ginseng. Not really my ideal, but as I say this is going to be a team effort. I'd like to find a Chinese Elm or Fukien Tea at some point also. I also have some Portulacaria afra and Crassula ovata that I can play with.
I didn't have any pots that I thought were deep enough, so we found one online that's on it's way. I think it'll be OK to re-pot it and give it a trim over the next week or so.
I've been growing succulents for many years, but only got more serious about them in the past few. I'm growing some that I inherited from my dad, and have grown some from seed. Mostly I'm into Haworthia, Adromischus, Euphorbia, and Astrophytum. I've been using a gritty mix for a few years now, and now I know that it came from Bonsai. I have 100# of Turface in the garage, and generally use a 1:1:1 mixture of Turface, chicken grit (granite), and pine bark fines. Everything is sifted to between 1/8" and 1/4". I have about a gallon of pumice from a failed Lithops venture, but they seem to be mostly bigger chunks (1/4" - 1/2"). I'm planning to plant the ficus in my gritty mix, with just a bit more pine bark than usual.
I'm really jonesing to get started on some trees, but understand that I have to wait until spring. Plus, it looks like I'll be working on 5 trees during my class with Bill V, so that'll probably be enough to keep me going. But I do have some trees I got from the Arbor Tree Foundation that are "growing out" in my landscape (Washington Hawthorn, Eastern Redbud, Sargent Crabapple, White Dogwood, Lilac). I've also got a huge Japanese Maple that I may try to air layer. There are also a couple of 3 - 5' upright juniper that appeared in my yard over time (bird drops?), but they have straight trunks.
At any rate, that's my story. I'm looking forward to learning and growing and can already tell that this community will be a big help!
- Chris
I'm just beginning my foray into this new hobby. I've been doing some research for a while, and for Christmas I asked for some basic tools and the DK book. I've added a few additional tools, through acquisition from my father and from Tian Bonsai on Aliexpress. I've sent in my registration to International Bonsai for Bill's Spring class. So I guess you could say I'm "all in" I just need some trees!
My dad bought these shears in the 80s. He always wanted to get into Bonsai, but never actually grew any trees. He did collect a number of pots (we've both grown succulents for a very long time), and these shears. Not a brand that's well known (Shiragiku - White Chrysanthemum) He's passed, so they're all mine now.
This winter I'm researching trees, styles, local resources, and especially my future winter plans. I'm in Syracuse, NY zone 5b (although I live on a hill above the city, so I may be 5a). I have an unheated (and un-windowed) garage at my disposal, as well as some outdoor semi-sheltered areas that I could use. I plan to focus on trees that will thrive in my climate, so I'm not sure yet how much protection they'll need. I put a thermometer in my garage in a spot that I could set aside for some trees next year, it's against the south wall. I'll record what temps I get there at some various cold days this year.
In order to keep my wife on the team, we'll also be looking for some "indoor" bonsai. During a visit to a local nursery yesterday she fell in love with an outgrown ficus ginseng. Not really my ideal, but as I say this is going to be a team effort. I'd like to find a Chinese Elm or Fukien Tea at some point also. I also have some Portulacaria afra and Crassula ovata that I can play with.
I didn't have any pots that I thought were deep enough, so we found one online that's on it's way. I think it'll be OK to re-pot it and give it a trim over the next week or so.
I've been growing succulents for many years, but only got more serious about them in the past few. I'm growing some that I inherited from my dad, and have grown some from seed. Mostly I'm into Haworthia, Adromischus, Euphorbia, and Astrophytum. I've been using a gritty mix for a few years now, and now I know that it came from Bonsai. I have 100# of Turface in the garage, and generally use a 1:1:1 mixture of Turface, chicken grit (granite), and pine bark fines. Everything is sifted to between 1/8" and 1/4". I have about a gallon of pumice from a failed Lithops venture, but they seem to be mostly bigger chunks (1/4" - 1/2"). I'm planning to plant the ficus in my gritty mix, with just a bit more pine bark than usual.
I'm really jonesing to get started on some trees, but understand that I have to wait until spring. Plus, it looks like I'll be working on 5 trees during my class with Bill V, so that'll probably be enough to keep me going. But I do have some trees I got from the Arbor Tree Foundation that are "growing out" in my landscape (Washington Hawthorn, Eastern Redbud, Sargent Crabapple, White Dogwood, Lilac). I've also got a huge Japanese Maple that I may try to air layer. There are also a couple of 3 - 5' upright juniper that appeared in my yard over time (bird drops?), but they have straight trunks.
At any rate, that's my story. I'm looking forward to learning and growing and can already tell that this community will be a big help!
- Chris
