|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 23/04/2011 18:56:42
Posts: 8,
Visits: 8
|
|
Ive been reading lots of books and Ive noticed a lot of them seem to assume you know stuff already so I thought I would take this chance to ask some questions (Which again, Im sorry if they seem daft).
Ive been looking at the Japanese Maple's and actually purchased one from an offer in The Times (mum had one aswell and it got delivered and she has planted it outside in a big pot but doesnt intend to make it into a bonsai) and Id like to make it into a Bonsai but was wondering....
When you buy a small one, do you put it straight into a bonsai pot?
I ready they are to be kept outside - if they are in a bonsai pot, how do you stop them from falling over in strong wind or getting drowned in strong rain. (I know there might be an obvious answer but Im afraid I have no idea :/
When do you know when you should start pruning it and putting wire on it?
I know Bonsai's take years and Im willing to put in all the hard work needed, I just want to try and get it right and not kill off the plant by accident!
Thanks
Alexandra
|
|
|
|
|
SENSEI?
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Today @ 12:33:33
Posts: 792,
Visits: 4,714
|
|
Hello Alex.
How small is small? With bonsai it is advisable to have a woody trunk which will only thicken in time. The way to achieve this growth most quickly would be to grow it in open ground and fertilize well. The idea is to make it as tree-like as possible. Kath is of course the expert at this and I trust that she will add her wisdom directly. =Don.
My name is Don and I'm a bonsaiholic.
My imaginary friend Givitago takes over when I'm not sure of myself in print. He's not a complete fool - several bits are missing.
This message has been created using 100% recycled electrons
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 23/04/2011 18:56:42
Posts: 8,
Visits: 8
|
|
Ill take a picture of my mum's (mine hasn't arrived yet) but its basically about 5 or 6" tall and come straight from the nursery.
So I should plant it in the garden -- roughly until what sort of age? or just untill its trunk thickens?
Thanks for the reply 
|
|
|
|
|
Genius
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 18/02/2012 22:54:12
Posts: 757,
Visits: 3,703
|
|
| Hi Jonezy, and welcome to Bonsai Garden. Don has given you good advice and yes it is true, to achieve having a nice bonsai the emphasis is on first getting a nice thick trunk, you cannot achieve this by placing a sapling/small tree directly into a bonsai pot. You can 'grow-it-on' by planting directly into your garden, preferably in a sheltered spot, away from where it could get very cold winds blowing over it, this could give 'wind-burn' to the leaves, and also not where it gets direct hot sun on it in the pm hours, as this could cause 'scorching' to the leaves. A sheltered place where it gets morning sun and shade in the pm hours is ideal. If this is not convenient to you then you could plant it into a large container for a few years, i.e. a large pot or even a large wooden slatted box (must have good drainage). giving a small sapling/tree a 'free-root-run' encourages the trunk to thicken. Please come back if you have more questions, that is what we are here for :-)
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget
How you made them feel."
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 23/04/2011 18:56:42
Posts: 8,
Visits: 8
|
|
Brill I shall do that.
Does it matter what sort of soil it has? I read it likes slightly more acidic soil?
Ill have to plant it in a big pot for a few years.
Thank you soooo much for your help
|
|
|
|
|
Genius
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 18/02/2012 22:54:12
Posts: 757,
Visits: 3,703
|
|
| You're very welcome Alex, There are so many different opinions as to which soil to use, but over the years I have found as long as you have good 'drainage' i.e. add some grit to the soil so that the water runs away freely, that is the main thing. If you go here you can see what I use http://www.bonsaigarden.net/soil_mixes.html
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget
How you made them feel."
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 18/05/2011 19:01:15
Posts: 1,
Visits: 1
|
|
Hi Alex,
It's good to know that you have interest on bonsai and you're asking questions first. I was once like you too and I got all ideas fro this site which might be helpful to you too. [url=http://thejapanesemaplebonsai.com][/url]
Enjoy your bonsai learning experience!
JonezyAlz (16/04/2011)
Ive been reading lots of books and Ive noticed a lot of them seem to assume you know stuff already so I thought I would take this chance to ask some questions (Which again, Im sorry if they seem daft).
Ive been looking at the Japanese Maple's and actually purchased one from an offer in The Times (mum had one aswell and it got delivered and she has planted it outside in a big pot but doesnt intend to make it into a bonsai) and Id like to make it into a Bonsai but was wondering....
When you buy a small one, do you put it straight into a bonsai pot?
I ready they are to be kept outside - if they are in a bonsai pot, how do you stop them from falling over in strong wind or getting drowned in strong rain. (I know there might be an obvious answer but Im afraid I have no idea :/
When do you know when you should start pruning it and putting wire on it?
I know Bonsai's take years and Im willing to put in all the hard work needed, I just want to try and get it right and not kill off the plant by accident!
Thanks
Alexandra
http://thejapanesemaplebonsai.com
|
|
|
|