rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Defeat can make it addictive too. Proving to yourself you can do it. It can take a while to get past trying or wanting to keeps trees inside. Outside and “outdoor” trees are MUCH EASIER. Progress is faster
Why you cannot keep bonsai trees indoors
- Thread starter Bonsai Nut
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Michael P
Omono
Join the club! Bonsai makes more sense in person.
I will agree with the one thing one of the posters in this thread said, though it probably wasn't well received, in that if the tree is outside and viewed rarely, it may seem less worthwhile than having it to view in the home all day
We've got a jade colored Asian cabinet in our living room and the tree looks beautiful on it so relegating to strictly outdoors is a shame, however it seems like this kind of thinking is what sends these trees to the bonsai boneyard before their time.
My goal would be to find that happy medium of indoor/outdoor but I don't know what the Ficus is capable of. Lots of trial and error await.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
The idea of "indoor" bonsai is a Western culture thing. There are no "indoor" bonsai in the Japanese tradition. Trees are brought inside TEMPORARILY and displayed in a Tokoname, but the trees are not permanent residents or interior decor. They are reminders of the natural world OUTSIDE.
There really is no "happy" medium for an indoor tree. Even ficus which are extremely tough, begin to get straggly, leggy and weaker the longer they're kept inside. Ficus really like to have the spring and summer "off" and live outside in full sun to strengthen themselves before they have to struggle through another winter indoors.
There really is no "happy" medium for an indoor tree. Even ficus which are extremely tough, begin to get straggly, leggy and weaker the longer they're kept inside. Ficus really like to have the spring and summer "off" and live outside in full sun to strengthen themselves before they have to struggle through another winter indoors.
Yup.....just reading so many experiences on the internet there seems to be a huge amount of folks that have tried to get that happy medium and wound up with kindling. I'd rather have it survive and see it once a day instead of watching it die a slow death inside, so outside it goes.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I missed this comment. @JackHammer check out this resource thread that I started on plant lighting...
I am going to start this thread with this post, add to it as I have time, and eventually compile it into an article.
There have been a lot of requests for information on artificial lighting for bonsai (particularly at this time of year). I wanted to write a reference piece that was both scientifically correct, but accessible to people who don't want to learn phytobiology
Let's start with a few basic terms. Many people think of lighting in terms of "watts" or "wattage". This is an incorrect artifact from the days when all lighting was incandescent, was more or less the same...
There have been a lot of requests for information on artificial lighting for bonsai (particularly at this time of year). I wanted to write a reference piece that was both scientifically correct, but accessible to people who don't want to learn phytobiology
Let's start with a few basic terms. Many people think of lighting in terms of "watts" or "wattage". This is an incorrect artifact from the days when all lighting was incandescent, was more or less the same...
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I have part of my mini forest on benches on my back deck. I can go out there with a coffee or adult beverage ofvmy choice and sit on the deck near my mini forest any time.
With strong enough lighting, tropical trees can do fine inside over the winter. Mine grow for me and need trimming at least twice over the winter.
However I would not advocate keeping them inside all year. They are definitely much happier spending the summer out in the real sun.
cishepard
Shohin
Oh man, this is so sad : (
You need more reasons to go outside!
Make a beautiful bonsai garden with benches right next to a deck or patio, and so you can see it from a window, too!
Have a koi pond right next to it - you’ll be out feeding the fish multiple times a day!
Get a little dog that wants to run and play outside with you!
Have an umbrella or covered patio with a propane heater or a fire pit so you can sit out, eat, drink and enjoy yourself rain or shine! BBQ more! Garden parties!
The outside can be made to feel like an extension of your house - no need for your little tree to be lonely - build a dream environment for it and you!
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
I get your point completely, and I agree, provided the right circumstances. However, some people don't have the resources for some or any of your ideas. But a bench or two made from a couple 2×12 planks and cinder blocks is relatively inexpensive. What would you suggest for those who may not have a yard? I see plenty of people here who live in apartments, and some have a small porch or balcony. They want to grow bonsai as well. But sometimes a person just doesn't have the space. Any suggestions?
Points taken on both sides and sincerely appreciated.
Our situation is that we just bought our first Bonsai, that we were told was indoors, but after reading many of the opinions here by the members, I decided to heed that advice and put it outside for the good of the tree rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
Because of our admitted inexperience, we feel it's best to merely find out if we can just get it to survive and thrive before investing more time and money into some of the ancillary things suggested ( which btw, all sound very nice)
For now, it's located in the back yard near the patio (off the ground) in indirect sunlight and will be given every chance to survive that we can utilize. I'm confident that continued reading of this site can only increase our chances of success.
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