Mr Miyagi (Bonsai Daniel-san)

[Drifter 851]

Since we lost the old posts thought I'd start a new on on my Bonsai. And now is as good a time as any because I just  finished another new one today. This one is a spruce that I collected from my property up north by my cabin. Just finished trimming/pruning/potting and starting to train this one. It's very young right now but it has a really nice trunk on it that should be really sweet looking in about 10 years.

 

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,452]

So you're going to shape the little Spruce like you would a bonzai tree?  I'm confused.  I thought the bonzai tree was a specific type, or is it more of a style of growing? 

[Drifter 851]

Bonsai translated means "tree in pot". It's a style of growing a tree by manipulating it's growth so it stays small, not a species of tree.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,452]

I feel like an idiot.  Thanks for the explanation.   

[Drifter 851]

Don't feel bad, you'd be surprised how many people I talk too that actually think it's a species of tree. Pretty common thing actually.

[Just Cal 461]

I'm guilty of thinking it was it's own species. Cheers for the info Steve. Learn something new every day.

[Chookes 965]

Thought it was a species if tree as well?

What's the point in it if you don't me asking? So you can have nature with you at your desk?

[Diddums 4,346]

They make you better at Karate.

[Chookes 965]

Like Wax On, Wax Off does?

[Diddums 4,346]

Yes. But with trees.

[Just Cal 461]

I love all the talk about trees.

[Diddums 4,346]

Not biting.

[Drifter 851]

See Tommy I told ya it was a common mistake lol

 

 

What's the point in it if you don't me asking? So you can have nature with you at your desk?

 

It's an enjoyable thing to do is all. It takes years to ever master it and then to actually get a healthy thriving bonsai tree it takes years of patience and dedication to keeping the tree alive, trimmed and growing properly so it's almost a form of living art.

[spectre 633]

This is on my bucket list. Where do I start? I have read a book on the subject 10 years ago.  Lol, I have several things I want to do and this one has been floating around up there for awhile.

[Drifter 851]

This is on my bucket list. Where do I start? I have read a book on the subject 10 years ago.  Lol, I have several things I want to do and this one has been floating around up there for awhile.

 

Best way to start is to start with a tree that will do well indoors under a grow light. You don't want to start with an evergreen of any sort because they need a dormant period in the winter and are a bit harder to keep alive when you first get into it. Believe it or not the best one to start with is to go to Walmart and in the garden section they carry two types of bonsai trees at most all Walmart stores. One is a ginseng ficus (not a fan of those) and the other is a Fukien Tea tree. Get the Fukien Tea tree. It is very hardy and will do very well inside, plus it only costs $10.88.

 

Here's the thing though. Walmart sells them in plastic pots with potting soil and little pebbles glued all over the top of the soil. If you leave it in that it wont last more than a month or two at best. Bonsai trees need a VERY quick draining soil that is made up of quick drying properties such as a mix of crushed lava rock, sand and even kitty litter. Also the plastic pot is not good for them, they need an actual bonsai pot that is shallow, has drainage holes in it, plus has holes for wiring the tree into the pot.

 

My suggestion for getting started is before you buy the tree, get a bonsai pot and some bonsai soil. After that then I can help you with what you need to do next such as raking the roots out and trimming and repoting and pruming/wiring etc etc.

 

This is a good bonsai pot right here for a good price. It has a lot going on for it such as being unglazed, has two drainage holes as well as multiple wiring holes http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oval-Yixing-Zisha-Bonsai-Pot-11-x8-5-x2-/141038592206?pt=Planters_Pots&hash=item20d68e20ce

[spectre 633]

ok, thanks man. I'll get on this.

[Dattebayo 446]

Caring for a Bonsai tree requires patience and dedication, both of which I do not have. xD

Kudos to you for having it.

I love all the talk about trees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iQiAHjXa74

[Dattebayo 446]

God! Finally got it to work!

What an ordeal...

[Drifter 851]

Well now comes the "patience" part of bonsai. I have a new one. This one was a Fukein Tea from Walmart while upnorth last weekend. I transplanted it and I plan to do it as what is know as a "root over rock" bonsai. This one/style takes the longest. The roots are small now, but I wrapped it over the rock of choice and planted the rock below the surface on a training pot. Now the patience part....1-2 years from now it may be ready to repot as the root over rock I want.

 

 

[spectre 633]

cool, looking forward to the progress. I think things like this, that take patience, are impressive.  (much like sculpting an epic beard  ) hoping you take that on again too.

 

I'm going to get one of these soon, I'll post pics to this thread if you don't mind.

[Drifter 851]

Two things brother.....

 

#1...You take on bonsai just let me know I'll help ya...

 

 

#2...per beard.....The Drifter beard is the most epic beard in the world. Gimme 2 months is all... lol

[spectre 633]

lmao

[Drifter 851]

Get too it bud, waiting to see a bonsai against that purple wall soon

[Drifter 851]

Picked up a little Green Mountain Boxwood over the weekend to start it on it's pre-bonsai journey. Here's a before and after of it...

[spectre 633]

where can I get those wires for wrapping? I'm gonna order my bonsai pot next week.