Where to start?

[AverageBonsai]

I have always adored Bonsai Trees but never knew where to start. I have finally decided to fight my fears and jump in. Any suggestions on where to start, what seeds to buy, or tips/tricks for a beginner. Thanks

 

[rockm]

First trick is to not concentrate on planting seeds to grow bonsai. That's not really bonsai. Growing plants from seedcan be fun, but it won't produce anything near bonsai in ten years. You won't be doing any actual bonsai work in all that time.

Second trick to bonsai is to realize that MOST bonsai are not "grown up" but "cut down" from larger trees, then shaped into bonsai with new growth. This is a key piece of knowledge if you're interested in bonsai.

Third thing to consider is your local climate --bonsai are NOT indoor plants for the most part, other than those made from tropical species like ficus. ALL temperate zone species for bonsai, from pines, to maples to elms CANNOT BE KEPT INSIDE. They will die given that treatment. "Out door" bonsai species are MUCH easier to keep and develop.

Fourth tip--find some people locally, like a bonsai club. There is no substitute for hands-on experience actually doing bonsai work. Clubs are also great for beginner material, inexpensive supplies, etc.

 

[emre]

You can get a starter plant from Home Depot, like a cheap juniper or something. That should give you plenty of practice. In the meanwhile you can grow stuff from seed, but it's kind of a waste of time because the seedlings might not survive and if they do, you'll have to wait to grow out the tree anyway.

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

I'll copy and paste this from another response to a new hobbyist:

Start here and move on to the articles link at the end: https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/bonsaip.htm

Another good springboard for a beginner. The paid beginners course videos they offer are good too: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics

I think the book "Foundations of Bonsai" by Harry Harrington is a great read if you are completely new: https://stonelantern.com/collections/books/products/foundations-of-bonsai-by-harry-harrington

You can also search YouTube for "Bonsai Beginner Series" by Bonsai Mirai:

 

[Cypress187]

tips/tricks for a beginner

Get an easy tree to start with (maybe a ficus). Welcome to the forum!

 

[kale]

Late winter/early spring is a great time to jump in so you're off to a good start! I'm only a couple years in myself, but I wish I had more trees. I think when you are starting out it's quantity over quality (within reason, you don't want to be working on garbage, unless you want to practice horticulturally or pushing them to their limits). You will get better advice if you add your location to your profile

 

[AverageBonsai]

Thank you for all of the suggestions! i greatly appreciate them as i am new to bonsai, always open to hearing more!

 

[leatherback]

Get tough species when you are starting.
Do not focus on getting things in a bonsai pot. That is the end of the road destination, not tomorrows' target.
Do not be scared to not do anything but water and fertilize individual trees for months at a time (Most trees look rough most of the time, for health)

 

[Forsoothe!]

Weeds are generally available in your yard and kind of everywhere. Trees are promiscuous and there are babies all over the place, just look down. Look around at the landscape for trees you admire the form of. You will usually find their offspring close to where they are growing and you can decide how much effort you want to expend collecting them. Seedlings under five years old van be collected by loosening the soil with an American digging fork and potted up in a low plastic container that can be a cut-off milk jug or coffee can or anything else that you can punch or drill holes in. You can gain experience on the cheap and by the time you graduate to digging up big stuff with a permit on BLM land you'll have a better handle on what's good for you. The localer, the better.

 

[kale]

Weeds are generally available in your yard and kind of everywhere. Trees are promiscuous and there are babies all over the place, just look down. Look around at the landscape for trees you admire the form of. You will usually find their offspring close to where they are growing and you can decide how much effort you want to expend collecting them. Seedlings under five years old van be collected by loosening the soil with an American digging fork and potted up in a low plastic container that can be a cut-off milk jug or coffee can or anything else that you can punch or drill holes in. You can gain experience on the cheap and by the time you graduate to digging up big stuff with a permit on BLM land you'll have a better handle on what's good for you. The localer, the better.

I’ve got my eye on several saplings in my yard for this spring wondering if its worth it but reading this is encouraging. Thanks!

 

[Warpig]

I’ve got my eye on several saplings in my yard for this spring wondering if its worth it but reading this is encouraging. Thanks!

If nothing else this does help build you horticulture skills aswell as learn your personal climate.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

What are you looking to get out of the hobby? I enjoy growing seedlings.

This is an alder one year from seed and could be a nice shohin sized tree in three or four years.



This is a 1 year old nursery juniper wired this winter which I hope to do some rootwork and ramification on - process similar to the mirai video posted above.



Heres a zelkova that will get it's first bit of refinement work this summer.



Its nice having things in all stages of development. Once again. Ask yourself what you want to get out of the hobby. I enjoy the horticultural side and that it brings me closer to that natural world. The speed at which i produce a showable tree means little to me.



The hobby allows me to appreciate vistas like this more than normal.

 

[AverageBonsai]

What are you looking to get out of the hobby? I enjoy growing seedlings.

This is an alder one year from seed and could be a nice shohin sized tree in three or four years.

View attachment 280268

This is a 1 year old nursery juniper wired this winter which I hope to do some rootwork and ramification on - process similar to the mirai video posted above.

View attachment 280271

Heres a zelkova that will get it's first bit of refinement work this summer.

View attachment 280275

Its nice having things in all stages of development. Once again. Ask yourself what you want to get out of the hobby. I enjoy the horticultural side and that it brings me closer to that natural world. The speed at which i produce a showable tree means little to me.

View attachment 280274

The hobby allows me to appreciate vistas like this more than normal.

Thank you for your advice it is very useful. I'm really looking forward to see where this hobby takes me, hoping to have a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment throughout this process

 

[Tieball]

First trick is to not concentrate on planting seeds to grow bonsai. That's not really bonsai. Growing plants from seedcan be fun, but it won't produce anything near bonsai in ten years. You won't be doing any actual bonsai work in all that time.

Second trick to bonsai is to realize that MOST bonsai are not "grown up" but "cut down" from larger trees, then shaped into bonsai with new growth. This is a key piece of knowledge if you're interested in bonsai.

Third thing to consider is your local climate --bonsai are NOT indoor plants for the most part, other than those made from tropical species like ficus. ALL temperate zone species for bonsai, from pines, to maples to elms CANNOT BE KEPT INSIDE. They will die given that treatment. "Out door" bonsai species are MUCH easier to keep and develop.

Fourth tip--find some people locally, like a bonsai club. There is no substitute for hands-on experience actually doing bonsai work. Clubs are also great for beginner material, inexpensive supplies, etc.

Great advice.
And I’ll add....Don’t go out buying to much stuff right away. You don’t need a bookshelf full of bonsai pots. You don’t need all the nutrient additives you read about. Concentrate on a tree local to your climate. Read about it. Keep it healthy. You don’t need your own paper library....look online. A lot of trees are sold as “Indoor trees”...they are not.

 

[AverageBonsai]

Great advice.
And I’ll add....Don’t go out buying to much stuff right away. You don’t need a bookshelf full of bonsai pots. You don’t need all the nutrient additives you read about. Concentrate on a tree local to your climate. Read about it. Keep it healthy. You don’t need your own paper library....look online. A lot of trees are sold as “Indoor trees”...they are not.

great advice thank you! glad i found this forum a lot of nice people here

 

[Warpig]

great advice thank you! glad i found this forum a lot of nice people here

They sure are. Welcome and have fun.

 

[leatherback]

with an American digging fork

Just note.. It does not have to be an American digging fork. A European digging fork will do the job too. Or, if you are talking about saplings a few years of age, one can use a spade to just dig the plant up.

 

[Tieball]

@AverageBonsai Remember to add your location and growing zone to your profile. A general location works. This will help you get more appropriate replies over time.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Thank you for your advice it is very useful. I'm really looking forward to see where this hobby takes me, hoping to have a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment throughout this process

You will have that sense of satisfaction and enjoyment!