Can I raise a bonsai in this condition?

[Barbie.Dragon]

Hi everyone,
I've never ever grown a tree before (bonsai) so I'm very overwhelmed. Anyways I realize that the trees should go through a cooling for winter (exposed to all 4 seasons essentially) and need a lot of sunlight. I live in Saratoga, CA (San Jose basically) And as some may know, there isn't really such thing as 4 seasons. The temperature is the same all year round and slightly colder during the winter. During winter (which is about now) The coldest it gets during the day is about 55 F, which is pretty rare. Also where I live I'm shaded by trees so there isn't natural light coming in (not much anyways). And my house is about 60 F,( I like the house cold.) Anyways, concerning these circumstances do you think it would be wise to raise a tree? I know the general concensus/fact is most bonsais should be grown outside in the sun... But even if I wanted sunlight I can't get any since there are big ol trees in the way. ANYWAYS, I'm looking for a yes or no and mebbe alternative suggestions. Growing light maybe?

I wanted to ask here because I don't want to just buy a tree and kill it because of things I can't control. Thanks everyone!

 

[Smoke]

You can grow trees there plenty good. I know many people in your area with some of the best trees in California. Find a spoty in your yard that gets at least 2 hours of sun around 10 Am to noon and you will be OK. After that even in the shade your trees will grow. They may be slower than with some direct sun but you can keep elms and maples very well.

Welcome to the nut farm,

Al

 

[JudyB]

Welcome, I'm sure lots of folks who live in your area would be happy to help you out. Try to find a local bonsai club, and contact them... Just make sure you don't try to grow outside trees inside your house. There are only a few specie that can be grown inside, and even then only with a lot of work to provide just the right conditions. But you have plenty of options for trees where you are. Great that you are doing research before you buy a tree!!!

 

[Smoke]

Check here for a good club. Peter tea is in Japan right now but I am sure a contact can be made.

Midori Bonsai Club
Meeting Day: 1st Thursday
Time: 7:30PM
Location: St. Edwards Episcopal Church, 15040 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Second Meeting Day: 3rd Thursday; Type: Workshop
Time: 7PM
Location: St. Edwards Episcopal Church, 15040 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Club Contact: Peter Tea, President, 408-421-6112 ptea@sbcglobal.net

 

[dpowell]

I can confirm you can grow quite a lot very well in our area. If you don't have much direct sun you would do great with maples or elms. Personally I'm a big proponent of growing just about everything outside so I can't recommend indoor growing for most things.
I also agree with Smoke that a local club is the way to go. Midori is meeting this Thursday and is quite close to you off the 85. You should stop by.

 

[Barbie.Dragon]

Cool, thanks for the info guys! Yeah I'm fine with raising bonsais outside but there is no direct sunlight in the "backyard"... Like nada, which sucks... When I get the time I'll definitely drop by the midori bonsai club! I'm glad there are bonsai people in the bay
I guess I'll buy books once I gather more information! Thanks for the welcomes! Hopefully I'll be around more~! Do you have any book recommendations? I was looking at this book: The complete book of bonsai.

 

[logan3]

First of all welcome. I'd like to invite you to attend our club's show coming up in March(info in announcement section of this forum), if you come you'll be able to ask all the questions you have about the art of bonsai and get good honest answers. Maybe you'll leave with a nice tree to start your journey into the world of bonsai. As for books most clubs have librarys for members to check out. Anyway welcome.

 

[Vance Wood]

Hi everyone,
I've never ever grown a tree before (bonsai) so I'm very overwhelmed. Anyways I realize that the trees should go through a cooling for winter (exposed to all 4 seasons essentially) and need a lot of sunlight. I live in Saratoga, CA (San Jose basically) And as some may know, there isn't really such thing as 4 seasons. The temperature is the same all year round and slightly colder during the winter. During winter (which is about now) The coldest it gets during the day is about 55 F, which is pretty rare. Also where I live I'm shaded by trees so there isn't natural light coming in (not much anyways). And my house is about 60 F,( I like the house cold.) Anyways, concerning these circumstances do you think it would be wise to raise a tree? I know the general concensus/fact is most bonsais should be grown outside in the sun... But even if I wanted sunlight I can't get any since there are big ol trees in the way. ANYWAYS, I'm looking for a yes or no and mebbe alternative suggestions. Growing light maybe?

I wanted to ask here because I don't want to just buy a tree and kill it because of things I can't control. Thanks everyone!

In answer to your initial question: If you can't grow a bonsai in California, probably one of the best locations in the World in which to grow bonsai, you probably will not be able to grow a bonsai anywhere.

 

[Barbie.Dragon]

In answer to your initial question: If you can't grow a bonsai in California, probably one of the best locations in the World in which to grow bonsai, you probably will not be able to grow a bonsai anywhere.

Haha ok that's good! I just really didn't want to kill a bonsai from ignorance

 

[Barbie.Dragon]

First of all welcome. I'd like to invite you to attend our club's show coming up in March(info in announcement section of this forum), if you come you'll be able to ask all the questions you have about the art of bonsai and get good honest answers. Maybe you'll leave with a nice tree to start your journey into the world of bonsai. As for books most clubs have librarys for members to check out. Anyway welcome.

Oooh that's exciting! Yeah I'll definitely try to go! It's a day before my birthday so I guess I'll celebrate by watching beautiful trees MEEP

 

[Vance Wood]

Haha ok that's good! I just really didn't want to kill a bonsai from ignorance

Joining a club if possible is probably the best way to keep from having the above happen. Bonsai can be complicated in a couple of key areas that are not always pointed out as significant in the books. The books will go into some detail about things like re-potting, root pruning and so on but little about when, or about things that are species dependent. It is for this reason there is an axiom stating that a beginner will probably kill his first tree. As long as you understand on going into bonsai that bonsai are not like your common every day house plant which you water once in a while and throw into another pot now and again. Bonsai is a relationship with a living thing that will need more attention, and specific attention that your standard African violet will never need or receive. A finished bonsai, meaning that it looks like a bonsai tree, doesn't just happen because it is put into one of these fancy pots and let grow for 150 years.

 

[cmeg1]

wow, just go to a club and get advice on trees which can take part sun.You would be suprised at how much light is given by just having a patch of sky visible,it's bright.It does not nessesarily have to be direct sun(for part sun tree).If it is completely wooded for you,even overhead too,then selection would depend on what the local people tell you at a club.Full sun as far as I have read is only 5 or more hours of sun.It does not mean direct sun for all day nessesarily.Again,stay away from books unless club friend reccomends one.I had to learn from books cause' I work weekends and could not find a club that meet's on wed. or thurs.,and let me tell ya' there was alot of unnessesary trial and error.
have fun!

 

[Barbie.Dragon]

Joining a club if possible is probably the best way to keep from having the above happen. Bonsai can be complicated in a couple of key areas that are not always pointed out as significant in the books. The books will go into some detail about things like re-potting, root pruning and so on but little about when, or about things that are species dependent. It is for this reason there is an axiom stating that a beginner will probably kill his first tree. As long as you understand on going into bonsai that bonsai are not like your common every day house plant which you water once in a while and throw into another pot now and again. Bonsai is a relationship with a living thing that will need more attention, and specific attention that your standard African violet will never need or receive. A finished bonsai, meaning that it looks like a bonsai tree, doesn't just happen because it is put into one of these fancy pots and let grow for 150 years.

Yeah I read a few threads and saw how it's really different from raising a normal plant. So I'll be going to a show and see how it all works out :>

wow, just go to a club and get advice on trees which can take part sun.You would be suprised at how much light is given by just having a patch of sky visible,it's bright.It does not nessesarily have to be direct sun(for part sun tree).If it is completely wooded for you,even overhead too,then selection would depend on what the local people tell you at a club.Full sun as far as I have read is only 5 or more hours of sun.It does not mean direct sun for all day nessesarily.Again,stay away from books unless club friend reccomends one.I had to learn from books cause' I work weekends and could not find a club that meet's on wed. or thurs.,and let me tell ya' there was alot of unnessesary trial and error.
have fun!

Thanks