Beginner's guide to bonsai?

Vcent

Seedling
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Hey everyone,

I have recently been thinking about getting into the bonsai hobby but don't really know where to begin. I don't really have much exerience with growing plants but I have done aquascaping for quite a few years (so maybe that is somewhat plant related). I'm pretty set on getting something that can be kept indoors if possible. I wanted to know if there is a comprehensive beginner's guide out there that someone would recommend to get me started. :)

Thanks ,

Vince
 

f1pt4

Chumono
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Hey everyone,

I have recently been thinking about getting into the bonsai hobby but don't really know where to begin. I don't really have much exerience with growing plants but I have done aquascaping for quite a few years (so maybe that is somewhat plant related). I'm pretty set on getting something that can be kept indoors if possible. I wanted to know if there is a comprehensive beginner's guide out there that someone would recommend to get me started. :)

Thanks ,

Vince

There's another thread about this on this site. Use the above search bar to find it.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Boo...e=UTF8&qid=1503626713&sr=1-19&keywords=bonsai

For $6 for a used copy, I'd splurge on it.

There's also this:
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Bons...&qid=1503627007&sr=1-7&keywords=indoor+bonsai

That one helped me with many a bowel movement in my first year into the foray.

Look for Nigel Saunders on Youtube. He has some basic indoor bonsai stuff on there. I don't subscribe to his no wiring policy, but different strokes. His videos are very beginner friendly, but don't treat them as gospel.

Also welcome

Also put your location in your profile.

Also get more than one tree

Also don't get discouraged if one or both die.

Also go get another tree.
 

music~maker

Shohin
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We have an extensive wiki over on the /r/bonsai sub on reddit. It covers enough of the basics to get you started (and if you think it's missing something, please do let me know and I can do something about that). We also have a weekly beginner's thread that's quite active where you can ask any follow-up questions you might have, and there are also links to additional resources sprinkled throughout the wiki.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/index
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/walkthrough

When new people show up there, this is where we send them first.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
 

flyinmanatee

Yamadori
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Looks like I have a lot of reading to do.

Absolutely, keep in mind though what Groucho Marx said...

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend, inside of a dog it's too dark to read."

Makes ya wonder what he would have said about the internets.
 

KiwiPlantGuy

Omono
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Looks like I have a lot of reading to do.
Hi Vincent,
Here's my recommendations of books and ebooks etc -
After reading a lot of this website,many paper books, and lots of ebooks on Kobo/Kindle I feel I have made a slow but steady start into growing Bonsai.
Hope you enjoy the journey as much as I have so far ( 1 year down - 35-50 years to go lol).
Charles.
 

Potawatomi13

Imperial Masterpiece
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Best beginners guide is local Bonsai club and helpful members. Sometimes good information here but much conflicting also;).
If can afford subscribe to Mirai Live. Hardly can find greater eye opener.
 
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