Absolute Bonsai

Getting Started in Bonsai

Getting Started

Here are a few words of advice for the newcomer that may help to better prepare you for what is to come.

Bonsai is an outdoor activity. Trees are outdoor plants, putting them into pots does not transform them into indoor plants. With very few exceptions, if you keep your bonsai indoors they will die. Unless you chose trees that are suited for indoors. Such as the many tropical varieties that will love to stay in the house near a window. Otherwise make room for your collection outside. You will be happier and your trees will be happier.

You will make mistakes. Lots of them. Everyone does. In fact, most of us still do.
You will kill trees. This is a sad fact of the activity, especially as you start out. You are dealing with living things, and you must be respectful of that. Commit yourself to understanding why every tree dies and what can be done to prevent it. Learn from your mistakes and do your best to prevent them in the future.
Try to limit yourself at first to a few kinds of plants. Every tree is different. Likewise, every kind of tree is different. Learn to care for a few different types of plants, and grow your collection from there.

Find a club or organization in your area and join. This is, undoubtedly, the best way to learn bonsai. People in these clubs are always willing to help newcomers and are very enthusiastic in their support. It is a great way to learn (most organizations hold workshops, have guest speakers, and even put on shows) and to see more experienced members' trees. Check our list of clubs under our links page and see if one is near you. Many clubs have libraries with lots of reference books on Bonsai. Read them all and buy  the one you keep going back to.

Perhaps most importantly, understand that when you put a tree in a pot you are committing yourself to the care of that tree. You cannot simply ignore it or it will die. Bonsai is a responsibility as well as a hobby. If you practice it with care and patience, the rewards are tremendous. The most common sin is not to water your tree. Its easy place it on a tray with some gravel and every couple of days pour a cup of water on it. If its in a very dry area try every day. The important thing is to keep the soil moist to the touch. Not soggy just moist, no big secret there.

Finally, almost nothing in bonsai is immediate. It may be two to three years (or longer) before your plant will actually be a bonsai. Don't be discouraged by this, but think of it as part of the experience.

Selecting Your First Tree: When you are ready to work on your first tree, you should select a species that is "forgiving" to the beginner. Some of the most often recommended is the Dwarf Jade, Ficus or Juniper procumbens nana, a dwarf garden juniper. They are readily available, take pruning well, can be worked on most of the year, and are generally inexpensive. They also root well as cuttings, so you can begin starting your own "mini nursery" as you shape your first tree. Find stock at www.hollowcreekbonsai.com

There are several things to look for in nursery stock. First, look at the rootage and check to see if it gives the appearance of a strong foundation. The root at the base of the trunk should appear to gently spread out in a radial pattern (this will be less apparent on junipers). They should provide a sense of stability, and invite you to follow the line of the tree and focus your attention on the trunk. Good rootage invites you to examine the tree from the ground up.

If the rootage looks good, examine the trunk. The qualities you are looking for in the trunk depend somewhat on the style of the tree. In almost all cases, however, a thick base, which tapers gradually and gently to a thin apex, will make for a nice tree. If you are thinking about a formal upright design, you will want a very straight trunk, with little or no curvature. If you are considering other styles, you will want to examine how the trunk "moves." Try to find a trunk that curves in interesting or unusual ways, and has some sense of movement that invites you to examine it further. Follow the main trunk line to its highest point (that will most likely be the apex). Does it suggest a design to you? Can you begin to see the tree within the plant? Supplies are available at www.hollowcreekbonsai.com

Next, look at the branching pattern. Look for thick lower branches and thinner higher ones. These branches will form the main structure of your tree. Try to imagine how they fit with and balance the movement of the trunk.

At this point, a style should be suggesting itself to you. Does the tree fit any particular style? Can you see it as a windswept design, as a cascade? Is the tree suited to the style you select? Not all trees are suited to all styles, so you need to know something about the growth characteristics of the species you select. What kind of growth and shaping will be required in order for the tree to emerge? Do you see something in that mass of branches, twigs, needles, or leaves that others might not? How can you bring it out?

Finally, examine the plant to make sure it is healthy. Are the leaves colorful and vibrant? Is there new growth? Does the plant look healthy? As you experiment more, signs of growth and health will become more apparent to you. If you suspect the tree is unhealthy, pass on it. For your first time out, try to pick something that will be able to withstand the process of pruning, wiring and potting that you are going to undertake. Last watch for sales at the end of the season at your Garden Centers and Big Box Stores. When you can get some stock at 75% off you won't worry so much about the process you are about to undertake. It will also give you some inexpensive trees to try wintering over and help you find out what works best for you. Remember the most important thing is that you have fun growing Bonsai so don't stress over it.

Supplies are available at www.hollowcreekbonsai.com