Bonsai Terrarium Project

[99 Mile Creek]

This took me longer than I care to admit to put together.

I know trees are supposed to be outside...but this is more of, "I know the rules, and I'm breaking them," sort of thing.

I'd like to see how long this elm can go without receiving any dormancy, on my desk, all year round. That's the plan anyway.

Anyone else have success with a bonsai on your desk?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Chinese elms are one of the few species that seems to be able to adapt from a tropical/evergreen environment to a temperate/deciduous environment. In Southern California my Chinese elms would usually drop their leaves for two months - from mid-December until mid-February. I say "usually" because all I had to do to disrupt this cycle was to heavily prune in September or October, and the tree would push new foliage that would stay on the tree all winter long... and I couldn't tell that the tree was any worse because of it.

Here in NC, those same trees sit outside all year, and shrug off 15F winter temps with no protection.

I think your Chinese elm will have enough light in your little enclosure. I would be concerned about air movement and fungus - particularly if it stays a little wet. Perhaps put a silent muffin fan in there?

 

[dbonsaiw]

That's awesome. You should check out Azuma Makoto's work - he has a pretty cool bonsai terrarium installation.

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[Attmos]

Sounds like fun.

 

[luvinthemountains]

Cool idea! Did you use silicone or anything else to seal the terrarium around the bottom? If not, I would stick a cork mat or something similar under it, to avoid damaging your desktop. Heck, I would protect the desk even if I did seal the terrarium.

 

[BrightsideB]

That idea is cool and I wish you luck with it! I’d imagine the Chinese elm being one of the best deciduous candidates.

I think a type of tint on the viewing window would help keep the brightness down. Maybe look sleek as well. Not sure how bright it is. I know I had to wear glasses when I had my indoor setup. Those lights can be bright and obtrusive to the eyes.

 

[rockm]

I’m not really trying to be a downer just skeptical. I mean you can probably get a pretty nice fake bonsai for the same money as you’ve spent here on a hulking glaring plug in display.

 

[Attmos]

I’m not really trying to be a downer just skeptical. I mean you can probably get a pretty nice fake bonsai for the same money as you’ve spent here on a hulking glaring plug in display.

You definitely have a way with words.....

Anyway, I think that if the OP is willing to risk the bonsai, it's an interesting and worthwhile experiment.

 

[rockm]

You definitely have a way with words.....

Anyway, I think that if the OP is willing to risk the bonsai, it's an interesting and worthwhile experiment.

Yeah. I get it but doesn’t make it make any more sense.

It’s mostly a “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” kind of thing

 

[rockm]

The fake ones are pretty good

 

[Attmos]

Yeah. I get it but doesn’t make it make any more sense.

It’s mostly a “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” kind of thing

Probly more of a personal curiosity kind of thing. Can't tell you how many odd things I've done in my life just for the experience.
I get your point though.

 

[Attmos]

Yeah. I get it but doesn’t make it make any more sense.

It’s mostly a “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” kind of thing

Even though everyone and their mother has told me to give up on ERC of any age.... I still have those tiny little trees I collected, which might not ever be ready for development before I die.

 

[BrightsideB]

The fake ones are pretty good

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Those are really nice decorations! The styles are also true to real bonsai! I guess if done in a way that looks really natural, it is pleasant. The fake plants or trees that are easy to decipher look way too tacky for me. Although I understand the appeal. The ones you shared display high end craftsmanship which can also be appreciated while knowing they are fake. Which add a layer of appreciation. I also like how people sometimes display well developed dead bonsai by treating the wood. It does end up just looking like a dormant deciduous tree. Although it is an open coffin in reality.

 

[rockm]

Those are really nice decorations! The styles are also true to real bonsai! I guess if done in a way that looks really natural, it is pleasant. The fake plants or trees that are easy to decipher look way too tacky for me. Although I understand the appeal. The ones you shared display high end craftsmanship which can also be appreciated while knowing they are fake. Which add a layer of appreciation. I also like how people sometimes display well developed dead bonsai by treating the wood. It does end up just looking like a dormant deciduous tree. Although it is an open coffin in reality.

This probably should be a separate thread in artificial bonsai but I actually got one of these to put on a desk shelf inside. Made of wire. Real shito sized bonsai pot

 

[ZombieNick]

This took me longer than I care to admit to put together.

As a sci-fi nerd that is into bonsai, this really hits my niche. As @dbonsaiw mentioned, very reminiscence of Azuma Makoto's Paludariums. I think I'll finally take a stab at building something like this. What did you use for the case?

 

[99 Mile Creek]

I think your Chinese elm will have enough light in your little enclosure. I would be concerned about air movement and fungus - particularly if it stays a little wet. Perhaps put a silent muffin fan in there?

Thanks for the feedback. A semi-deciduous seemed like a good route.

And yes...I used two cheap PC fans, but it wasn't doing the trick and the substrate was remaining too moist for too long, so I ended up repotting in ALP 1:1:1 and upgrading to a decent reptile fan that reads humidity and temp. Seems to be working and watering at about 1.5 days.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

That's awesome. You should check out Azuma Makoto's work - he has a pretty cool bonsai terrarium installation.

​

I haven't heard of them. I'm definitely interested, though!

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Cool idea! Did you use silicone or anything else to seal the terrarium around the bottom? If not, I would stick a cork mat or something similar under it, to avoid damaging your desktop. Heck, I would protect the desk even if I did seal the terrarium.

I did not--but I will! Great advice. I'll seal it and place a mat under it for desk protection sometime this week.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

That idea is cool and I wish you luck with it! I’d imagine the Chinese elm being one of the best deciduous candidates.

I think a type of tint on the viewing window would help keep the brightness down. Maybe look sleek as well. Not sure how bright it is. I know I had to wear glasses when I had my indoor setup. Those lights can be bright and obtrusive to the eyes.

Oh, boy, is it bright...sort of a headache. Thought about moving it at one point but have since enjoyed reading by its light.

And an really great idea. I will look into some tinting for sure. That would be perfect.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Yeah. I get it but doesn’t make it make any more sense.

It’s mostly a “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” kind of thing

Time will tell. I really would love to have a bonsai growing on my desk. I think the idea is neat. As you've said, it is a bit of an eyesore. But, with the advice of the community, I think I can get this looking good. Tinting would help a lot.

But this experiment is something I've thought on for some time and I think it's pretty sweet.

Probly more of a personal curiosity kind of thing. Can't tell you how many odd things I've done in my life just for the experience.
I get your point though.

Definitely have that odd-hobby bug. Should be fun.

The fake ones are pretty good

I've seen that seller. They do amazing work. I thought about it, but I prefer mine alive, in the end. Let's hope I can keep it that way.