Things I've learned this year as a beginner.

[Attmos]

If long running threads are necessary, as they are with a hobby such as this, I think I'm going to start one documenting the lessons I've leaned each season. Please feel free, as beginners, to add any hard lessons you've learned this year and each in the future.

 

[Attmos]

My very first major lesson learned, began in late June 2024. I hadn't spoken to anyone about development or treatment of bonsai at all, I just had an idea and determination.

I nurtured a couple silver maples (over three years) to a fairly decent trunk size considering the fact that I had no idea how to grow trees. My experience is in growing pot, and I'm pretty good at it.

Anyway, I got itchy and decided to kick start growth as I would with any pot plant. DEFOLIATE. And it ALWAYS works with plants grown indoors.

What I learned is that when you aren't controlling all of the conditions a plant is exposed to, you have to play by Mother Nature's rules.

It's too hot in my zone to work on plants during the summer. I can't cheat it like I did with indoor horticulture. Lesson very well learned.

The reason not to do this, as explained to me, is that the plant is desperately soaking up water through the roots just to keep the leaves it has from drying out. This is why we don't see any growth during these months. The tree isn't actually dormant, it's just working too hard to produce any new growth. When the temperature is cooler, something about fluid transfer within the tree allows it to recover from abuse, which allows us to do the kind of work necessary to create a miniature tree.

Can't wait for next year's lesson.

 

[The Barber]

First year of bonsai for me. Main thing I learned was not to top dress trees in my climate. I top dressed all of the nicer trees I collected as yamadori as was recommended by many folks, of the nearly 100 trees I collected, potted up, erc, most of the top dressed trees either died, or never came out of dormancy. I'm certain it caused the soil to be too wet, as well as to dry too slowly, and effected the air exchange in the soil. Lost maybe 7 trees total of the 100ish I collected, luckily I was lazy and more weren't top dressed. Not saying it doesn't work in some climates.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Wow, where to begin...?
I've learned how much there is to learn. I've always been a biologist (specifically a botanist) at heart, but I wasn't especially into "the arts" except for a little musician in me. Coming here is like attending classes at Bonsai University, where the science and the art are indistinguishable.

Soil (substrate) requirements are different depending upon ¹species, ²climate, ³pot, ⁴maturity of tree, ⁵appearance, and at least another half dozen or so that I've forgotten.

As Miyagi says: "Strong root, strong tree."

Bonsai is a tree in a pot - but it's not  just a tree in a pot.

Time and experience (even the experience of more seasoned artisans) is the required currency for learning this art. Money might buy you a tree, but it won't teach you anything.

Trees don't care about your schedule, your politics, your diet, the latest fashion trends (and neither do a lot of people here; it's a fantastic learning environment)

The desert, where I live, is definitely one of the most challenging climates for growing bonsai (but I'm figuring it out).

Trees grow outside in nature, so they  need to grow outside in a pot as much as possible (tropicals being an exception - in the winter only, and only where the low temperatures will injure them if left outside).

There's no one-size-fits-all in bonsai. Each species has its own cultivational needs, and even individuals of a variety can react differently to the same procedures.

Failure probably is a better teacher than success (this is true far beyond bonsai).

That's a good enough sample of what I've learned here, so far this year.

 

[Colorado]

I think the most impactful lesson that I learned this year is that I personally enjoy bonsai the most when I am only focusing on my most favorite trees.

This year I reduced my collection from probably 60+ trees to 19 of my favorite trees. I sold or gave away many trees that were very young, didn’t do well in my climate, or that I simply was not inspired by.

Now I have the time, energy, space, and inspiration for those 19 trees to really thrive. They are mostly Rocky Mountain natives that do well in our hot dry summers and extremely cold and snowy winters. Most are old trees, although I do have a few limber pine seedling projects since limbers are hard to come by. And all of these are trees that inspire me to sit down and do some bonsai!

 

[Michael P]

I think the most impactful lesson that I learned this year is that I personally enjoy bonsai the most when I am only focusing on my most favorite trees.

This year I reduced my collection from probably 60+ trees to 19 of my favorite trees. I sold or gave away many trees that were very young, didn’t do well in my climate, or that I simply was not inspired by.

Now I have the time, energy, space, and inspiration for those 19 trees to really thrive. They are mostly Rocky Mountain natives that do well in our hot dry summers and extremely cold and snowy winters. Most are old trees, although I do have a few limber pine seedling projects since limbers are hard to come by. And all of these are trees that inspire me to sit down and do some bonsai!

I am far from a newcomer but this exactly what I needed to hear.

 

[rockm]

My very first major lesson learned, began in late June 2024. I hadn't spoken to anyone about development or treatment of bonsai at all, I just had an idea and determination.

I nurtured a couple silver maples (over three years) to a fairly decent trunk size considering the fact that I had no idea how to grow trees. My experience is in growing pot, and I'm pretty good at it.

Anyway, I got itchy and decided to kick start growth as I would with any pot plant. DEFOLIATE. And it ALWAYS works with plants grown indoors.

What I learned is that when you aren't controlling all of the conditions a plant is exposed to, you have to play by Mother Nature's rules.

It's too hot in my zone to work on plants during the summer. I can't cheat it like I did with indoor horticulture. Lesson very well learned.

The reason not to do this, as explained to me, is that the plant is desperately soaking up water through the roots just to keep the leaves it has from drying out. This is why we don't see any growth during these months. The tree isn't actually dormant, it's just working too hard to produce any new growth. When the temperature is cooler, something about fluid transfer within the tree allows it to recover from abuse, which allows us to do the kind of work necessary to create a miniature tree.

Can't wait for next year's lesson.

FWIW, you can't "jump start" growth in any tree by defoliating it. That practice weakens the tree, it can kill a weak tree indoors or out.

The lesson you learned is that defoliation is NOT a technique to be used on developing stock. It is primarily used on established, healthy bonsai to produce more ramification (and sometimes smaller leaves). It is NOT done to goose growth. It is the same for ANY species indoors or out. It's for ramifying established bonsai. It's counterproductive for developing younger trees

and FWIW, SOME trees DO enter a summer dormancy. It's not a given. It can depend on species and climate. I have Texas cedar elm that have gone still with growth in the 100+ F heat. They do this every year, for the most part, as does my live oak. They're not actively growing or rooting. They pick up again in Sept. into mid-October. They do that sometimes in the wild as well.

My tridents and Japanese maples (to some extent) continue to push new leaves and extension growth.

If the tree is dormant, it is NOT soaking up water. It is mostly not doing anything. Excessive watering may help keep temperatures down, but it can also kick off a good bout of root rot if you're not careful. My trees are not using nearly as much water now, even with this excessive heat, as they did in the active growing season in May and June.

 

[LuZiKui]

My experience is in growing pot, and I'm pretty good at it.

So funny, I had a similar entry into bonsai. A few seasons of growing will give you an incredible foundation in plant nutrition, watering, pest control, soil/substrate characteristics, and just general horticulture. Especially when you have so much riding on the outcome, better learn or you'll be real sad at the end of the season!!

 

[Michael P]

"The best horticulturalists of my generation all grow cannabis." --Michael Pollan

 

[moriel]

"Invest in advancing your knowledge, so you don't repeat mistakes."

I've attended a one-year bonsai course with people new to taking care of plants (not just bonsai projects), and some of the people in my group kept repeating the same mistakes. I'm not a judgmental person (plus I really liked the people in my group) and I'm terribly humbled by the fact that I know so little and have very limited experience with so many plants and bonsai techniques. I just think it's imperative to learn from your mistakes and keep a critical thinking approach to everything you do.

Don't be that person bringing a dying tree, asking how to save it, knowing that you're probably going to repeat the same mistake again. Master the basics of gardening first, focus on being good at keeping all your plants healthy before you even consider doing something stressful to the plant.

 

[leatherback]

I learned I prefer trees over people.
Since starting bonsai, my friends circle has gradually but significantly been reduced in pace with the increase of trees.

 

[Apex37]

I learned proper watering techniques. Seriously, watering has been a huge struggle for me for the first 2 or so years of this hobby. Something this year made things click.

The other big lesson learned is fertilize and fertilize a lot. Granted this all dependent on your situation/tree, but I think most of us, especially newbies, under fertilize. I’m fertilizing every week now, regardless of summer. Pines about every 5 days. Where before in summer I slowed down and only fertilized every 2 weeks. I’ve had so many less issues with pests and disease this year and I attribute it almost solely to proper watering and fertilization. I haven’t had to use pest deterrents in probably close to 3 months. I’ve lost only 3 trees so far this year (record low for me) and I’ve felt like my trees have paid me in dividends accordingly with the best growth I’ve seen so far since starting in 2021.

 

[Apex37]

I think the most impactful lesson that I learned this year is that I personally enjoy bonsai the most when I am only focusing on my most favorite trees.

This year I reduced my collection from probably 60+ trees to 19 of my favorite trees. I sold or gave away many trees that were very young, didn’t do well in my climate, or that I simply was not inspired by.

Now I have the time, energy, space, and inspiration for those 19 trees to really thrive. They are mostly Rocky Mountain natives that do well in our hot dry summers and extremely cold and snowy winters. Most are old trees, although I do have a few limber pine seedling projects since limbers are hard to come by. And all of these are trees that inspire me to sit down and do some bonsai!

I’m finding this to be the case as well. Definitely will be scaling back a lot come next year when we move. I really feel like somewhere between 15-30 trees is the sweet spot; at least for trees that are reaching refinement techniques and not just sticks in pots.

 

[Attmos]

FWIW, you can't "jump start" growth in any tree by defoliating it. That practice weakens the tree, it can kill a weak tree indoors or out.

The lesson you learned is that defoliation is NOT a technique to be used on developing stock. It is primarily used on established, healthy bonsai to produce more ramification (and sometimes smaller leaves). It is NOT done to goose growth. It is the same for ANY species indoors or out. It's for ramifying established bonsai. It's counterproductive for developing younger trees

and FWIW, SOME trees DO enter a summer dormancy. It's not a given. It can depend on species and climate. I have Texas cedar elm that have gone still with growth in the 100+ F heat. They do this every year, for the most part, as does my live oak. They're not actively growing or rooting. They pick up again in Sept. into mid-October. They do that sometimes in the wild as well.

My tridents and Japanese maples (to some extent) continue to push new leaves and extension growth.

If the tree is dormant, it is NOT soaking up water. It is mostly not doing anything. Excessive watering may help keep temperatures down, but it can also kick off a good bout of root rot if you're not careful. My trees are not using nearly as much water now, even with this excessive heat, as they did in the active growing season in May and June.

Yeah, that defoliation was the beginning of the end, I shouldn't have done it. What I'm used to doing with pot is a little different (wish I could change that comment, lol).... but it doesn't really matter at this point, because you're right. After I did what I did, it rained for a week and a half... the roots started rotting... etc...

Anyway, I understand that now.

As for the dormancy, what I wrote was what someone here told me... actually corrected me when I spoke of them being dormant.

But this is good thank you. I'm slowly putting it all together and I appreciate the help.

 

[Attmos]

So funny, I had a similar entry into bonsai. A few seasons of growing will give you an incredible foundation in plant nutrition, watering, pest control, soil/substrate characteristics, and just general horticulture. Especially when you have so much riding on the outcome, better learn or you'll be real sad at the end of the season!!

lol.... I'm finding out that only some of what I leaned is relevant to growing trees, but it did give me a good start.

 

[Attmos]

"Invest in advancing your knowledge, so you don't repeat mistakes."

I've attended a one-year bonsai course with people new to taking care of plants (not just bonsai projects), and some of the people in my group kept repeating the same mistakes. I'm not a judgmental person (plus I really liked the people in my group) and I'm terribly humbled by the fact that I know so little and have very limited experience with so many plants and bonsai techniques. I just think it's imperative to learn from your mistakes and keep a critical thinking approach to everything you do.

Don't be that person bringing a dying tree, asking how to save it, knowing that you're probably going to repeat the same mistake again. Master the basics of gardening first, focus on being good at keeping all your plants healthy before you even consider doing something stressful to the plant.

Pretty much why I started this thread. I can always come here for reference in the future.

 

[eugenev2]

If long running threads are necessary, as they are with a hobby such as this, I think I'm going to start one documenting the lessons I've leaned each season. Please feel free, as beginners, to add any hard lessons you've learned this year and each in the future.

In my field....long running threads are a bad thing
Ok...i'll stop being a clown and think of something real to contribute

 

[eugenev2]

I learned I prefer trees over people.
Since starting bonsai, my friends circle has gradually but significantly been reduced in pace with the increase of trees.

You're pruning your friends....

 

[The Barber]

I learned I prefer trees over people.
Since starting bonsai, my friends circle has gradually but significantly been reduced in pace with the increase of trees.

I'm a barber, deal with people all day, last thing I want after work and on my days off is to deal with people. Though I am pretty good at pretending to not be an introvert after 25 years of cutting hair. My trees get the haircut I want to give them.

 

[eugenev2]

Ok, so real contribution...

I learned that there is such a thing as too big a air layer...seriously i'll post a pic

It might sound obvious this one, but with maintaining humidity in a dome/container...there's a difference between watering and misting

All techniques/processes/substrate shown by pros need to be trialed first in your climate first...had major cuttings failures with techniques that work for many...but not in my climate...so i guess the bonsai statement of...it depends...is making more and more sense

Having a source of back up water is key...11 day water outage did some damage to some of my trees

Moving sucks...for trees as well

Be more brutal to the roots, you get better results in the end.

Root ramification is just as important as branch ramification

Also, what some have already echoed, focus more on quality rather than quantity

People like @Shibui / @River's Edge / @rockm will just always know more than i ever will