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About Bonsai

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Mr GreenJeans

Mr GreenJeans

Sat Cat
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After seeing pics of some bonsai in my grow thread, I received some requests to make a separate Bonsai thread for folks to ask questions.

First the disclaimer - I'm pretty low key in my hobbies, don't have every term correctly memorized and such, but I have been growing them indoor or outdoor since the mid 80s, and have some good experience to share.

According to MerriamWebster Online, Bonsai=
Etymology: Japanese, literally, tray planting
1: a potted plant (as a tree) dwarfed and trained to an artistic shape by special methods of culture; also 2: the art of growing such a plant

It is very different from growing 420 in some ways. Growing to the max capabilities of the plant is not one of the aims of bonsai growing. My definition of bonsai - which with certain plants I fail in my aim - the art of growing miniature plants that strongly resemble much larger trees in the world at large.

I'll wrap up the intro with a pic of one of my smallest and one of my largest.... The blue cup is an 8 oz dixie...


All are welcome in my midget garden :wave: , hope I'm able to help some of you have fun growing midget plants :friends:
 
GMT

GMT

The Tri Guy
Veteran
Hey MGJ, mind if I play at being Gulliver for a while in here.

Ok so I know nothing other than those starter bonsais die quite quickly if left in the window sill for a while and then remembered.
You could say I'm a newbie.
So I find a tree, snap/cut a small branch/twigg, stick it leafy side up in some soil. Yes/no. 18/6 lighting? Blue / red light better? Have I got the wrong end of the ....oh sorry, pardon the pun.
 
GMT

GMT

The Tri Guy
Veteran
Can I grow trees from the garden on my tvset?
Do you start small and get big or big and get small?
 
Mr GreenJeans

Mr GreenJeans

Sat Cat
Veteran
Hiya gmt - I mean Gulliver :biglaugh:

Bonsai need conditions similar to what the plant would get in it's native environment. TV sets - not too sure what that would require, I'd suggest checking the temp on the set with it off and on, night and day, to see what the range is. If it gets very warm on top of the set, don't know how well it would do.

Plants can range from stick it in the ground and it grows - willows, pussywillows, to so difficult to root that it's better off being grafted. So it's hard to say. Probably a good place to start would be to give it as good and attentive conditions during rooting as you'd give to 420. I tend not to root things that are hard to root - dese dam things take a long time to grow as is, don't want to spend time hopin for roots. The only way to know from your yard is take a bunch of cuttings of different plants that you'd like to try, prep them like your ladies, give 'em some rootone or Superthrive or your favorite rooting formula, put it in some soil / sand 50/50 mix, and keep 'em moist but not soaked. The ones that don't die are the ones you want to start using.

This time of year keep them outside. Let's see if we can make a go of it there.

And lets start small to stay small - that way the end result is achievable before one of us has left for a higher plane :biglaugh: Any big change in a plant or it's leaves - large to small or vice versa - takes longer than an alaskan winter night.
 
GMT

GMT

The Tri Guy
Veteran
I've been looking on the net, and seen loads of varieties for cheap, ready rooted and 12 years old. I'm interested in how they start. Not sure if I have the patience to start one off myself though. I want something for the windowsill really, in a warm room. But easy to care for and without lots of flowers. I saw some lovely red maples, but I thought the leaves looked a little close to the bone really for my windowsill. I dont like the little oval leaves or the spikes and the ones I did like ended up being far too big and pricey. Small is what I want, but old looking with a trunk that will develop a ruff bark in time rather than the smoth twig looking trunks, or at least have several branches with smaller branches rahter than a thick trunk with leaves coming straight out of it. A white trunk would be ok though, and I love coloured leaves rather than just green ones. Ever come accross anything that fits my magical wish list? I should just go for a walk really.
Fingers crossed we should have some time for this.
 
Mr GreenJeans

Mr GreenJeans

Sat Cat
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If you want it indoors, you need a subtropical plant. It's not going to look like a tree overnight - you will have to encourage it just like encouraging tops on 420s. I'd recommend a serissa or a micro boxwood. You can get a starter of each for pretty cheap.

Before you jump into large trunk trees or specific flowering varieties, I'd recommend experimenting and learning on the smaller common ones first. If it dies no big deal. Once you've got the hang, then sure get something big.

Don't know what to recommend from your area - don't know any of the plants there. Sometimes people use micro boxwood for hedging - of you can find some take 5-6 5" cuttings and try to root 'em.

Cya :wave:
 
Mr GreenJeans

Mr GreenJeans

Sat Cat
Veteran
clearcutter - welcome. Yes, they can test your patience - I gave up expecting much from them, and let them surprise me. More often than not they do! Thanks for stopping by!

strain fiend - thanks for stoppin by. Yup, that's an interesting thread. I've bonsai'd my moms because I have limited space for a veg / clone area. My girls I like big and beefy! :biglaugh:
 
G

Guest

If one wants to start in the hobby of bonsai, be preparded to wait, with wait equaling to decades. I will get some pics together of some of the bonsai I have been working with for years. I have never read any books nor know any terminology, but bonsai have taught me more about plants than any other thing I have grown including MJ. Good post. I will try to get some pictures together tonight to share with everyone.

bundesliga
 
m.steelers

m.steelers

Enlightened
Veteran
Cool thread. I have 4 dwarf boxwood in front of my house. I am going to give it a try after I get back from vacation. Take Care/MS
 
Mr GreenJeans

Mr GreenJeans

Sat Cat
Veteran
Hi bundesliga :wave:
Thanks for stopping in. Yes, if one has a goal in mind for a bonsai, it sure can take a long time. I grow 'em just because I love 'em, if they come out looking great it's a bonus. Have killed more than my share over the years, and some of my mistakes have turned into the best plants! Most of what I've learned about plants have come from bonsai and fruit trees. Looking forward to see some pics of your bonsai :yes:

Hi MS :wave:
Fabulous - dwarf boxwood are great plants to try. Have a great vacation! And thanks for stopping in! :wave:
 
G

Guest

Finally got some pics snapped.

Group Shot





My prized Dwarf Olive





Nice root structure





A few older maples







Most of the maples are from 8 to 10 years old, and the dwarf olive is around 15 years old. The Maples take the most time. Some people seem to think that Japanese Maples are a very delicate trees and can not take a beating. I have found thoughout the years that to stop massive growth and keep them small you will need to abuse the hell out of them. With the maples I usually do all of my trimming in the fall when there sap level is lower. Most people say only trim maples in there dormant season of Jan. and Feb. when there sap level is at its lowest, but I have never had an issue doing it in the Fall. Once I have them trimmed in the Fall, I usually build a nice small greenhouse to house them thru the winter, and I do nothing but water them every 2 to 3 weeks. Once late winter early spring arrives and the frost is not an issue I will give them there annual feeding, and yes I just feed them PBP Veg with some LK. As summer approaches and the Maples start to grow massively, I give them hell. I will stop all water and place them in full shade. Once 50-75% of the leaves have wilted and turned brown, they once again recieve partial sun and a regular daily watering schedule. Usually in about 3-4 weeks new smaller leaf growth appears and no long branch stuctures form. I have never read any material on growing bonsai Japanese Maples, but this has worked for me year after year. I would be really interested if someone out there has any advice or knowledge of how you really should do this, or more of a text book way to bonsai Japanese Maples.
 
Mr GreenJeans

Mr GreenJeans

Sat Cat
Veteran
Wow, nice collection you have man! :yes: IMO you have it down. I know people who dry out their maples for the same reason. I used to but on a couple over the years I lost good structural branches, so I keep them under 75% shade cloth all the time and just pinch long growths the first month or so they take off. There are many ways to skin a cat and shrink a bonsai, you've found yourself a good one!

I think maybe you should think about writing a book! :yes:

Thanks for posting pics of your little ones!!!
 
G

Guest

I just love'em Mr.GreenJeans... and I love this thread. Keep'em coming, pretty please :smile:

After the kid is gone, I may have time to take up a hobby like that... really nice...

:wave:
ms.G
 
clearcutter

clearcutter

Active member
bundesliga said:
It all starts from a seed!
Click to expand...

Cool. I love starting stuff from seed. I have a pack of red Japanese Maple seeds that i have putting off starting. The 90 day stratification period has me a little worried. :sasmokin:
 
packn2puff

packn2puff

IC Official Assistant to the Insistent
Veteran
Cool...I love these little guys...MGJ you should post all the pics you already have in your gallery... :2cents:
 
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