new to bonsai

New to bonsai and nervous about removing large branches. The first picture shows the slight S bend I'd like to use as the front but there's a branch (1) near the top that may detract from the trunk line. My bigger problem is the lower branches. I can't decide which ones to keep! Second picture...

Hi everyone... I just bought a bougainvillea bonsai - live in Florida. I see bougainvillea everywhere in Florida and are drought resistant. However, we haven't had much rain lately and I have been testing/watching to know when to water versus when not too. I thought since bougainvillea are so...

Just picked up this Ryusen as I thought it might have good potential. These seem really vigorous! It was weeping down past the bottom of the pot and couldn't see any structure so I trimmed off branch ends to the soil line to open it up a little. There is a tree in there somewhere. I know the...

Hello! I'm very new to bonsai and my Chinese elm is not doing very well recently. I'm going to include as much detail as possible to get ahead of follow up questions, so this might be long. The bulletpoint issues are: he was in an eastern window but got brown spots on his leaves that looked...

Woohoo. First post. So I’ve been reading beginner books and have been all over YouTube trying to get up the nerve to just begin this project. Have all my entry tools, wiring, bonsai soil, and a pot, although it only has one drain hole. The plant has already done all the work by deciding on its...

Hi folks, I'm new to bonsai but have been reading this and other blogs so I'm familiar with techniques and terminology. I have this cherry tree in my garden, and really want to turn it into a bonsai. I know that this time of year is a good time to start, but I don't know if I should pot it now...

Hello, so I bought the Grown your own Bonsai from growbuddha, all came alright and i prepared all of the six types of seed i've got. Currently im sitting at Silk Mimosa, Black pine, Flame tree and Wisteria in the pots, and Judas with Japanese Maple in the fridge. I've managed to germinate the...

This will be my first time wiring my bonsai. I have read about the correct materials to use, but I am unsure where to start wiring and clean up my little tree. I would like to note I am also planning to repot on the same day as this is a hardy plant. Any advice would be awesome and I am planning...

Hey BNuts! Just curious if anyone knows of a resource where you can look up your tree type and climate zone and it will give you a seasonal care chart of what work can be done in that zone by the season? I have a couple books with general seasonal care chart for a few species but none address...

Hi everyone on this site. Needed your help with watering my plants. My soil composition is crushed clay pots + perlite and some amount of organic additives. Watering a plants (pre bonsai) depends on numerous factors and I understand that very well but I want to know what is that one thing that...

Hi, im new to Bonsai and this forum seemed a good place to start my learning curve. I live in the uk to give you an idea of what climate I’m in. I have wanted to get into Bonsai for some time, and my partner brought me a tree for Christmas, it would not have been my first choice as it’s a...

Hey Guys, i got pretty intrested in Desert Roses (Adenium) recently. I have read online that Oleander and Adenium are related and some people graft Desert Roses onto Oleander understocks. Now im curious if this would work the other way around too.. So that i could have a interesting looking...

I’m new to this world and to Tucson. My husband gifted me a Bonsai hobby for Christmas because I have been talking about it for years. After reading many threads I have found a local nursery to visit. My first question is what type of trees can we grow here? I have found so many different tree...

Hi everyone. Ive been reading bonsainut.com for awhile now, but this is my first post. I think it belongs here based on other posts. I have recently made the decision to become obsessed with develop a healthy well-adjusted hobby centered around bonsai. I have purchased this porkbush (see...

Hello everyone, I just got my first ever bonsai tree yesterday. Looking for advice and recommendation regarding my new tree. Got it as a bonsai carmona. Thanks :)

Hey Guys I got myself some Pine seeds from the Internet . But after a little research i am now confused. I read about stratification, which is not a new thing to me, but i also found out that some people pour hot water over the seed to 'scarify' them(i have never heard of that before). I think...

Hello! I have recently gotten into bonsai! I have what I think is a Fukein Tea tree? There was no label when my dad got it from Walmart. I also have a Buddhist Pine (currently still a tiny lil sapling, I love him), which I am most concerned about. I've kept him indoors for the entire time I've...

Hi everyone! I’m new to bonsai (honestly new to long term plant care in general) and I’m not sure what to do for my maple sapling. My boyfriend gave this one to me at the beginning of August and we potted it in this pot at that time. I’m worried about drainage as I live in the PNW in a North...

Hey everyone! I’m a total noob at everything Bonsai. My husband bought me one a few years back and I’ve been “taking care” of it. But then I realized I have no idea what I am actually doing. - I have no idea what kind of tree it is - I have no idea how to trim/shape it - I have no idea if...

I always loved maples, they are not really common here in my country, and i knew it would be a hard species to take care in my region, but it actually went pretty well until this summer, wich was way hotter than usual, and it really felt the heat, all the leaves burned from the intense sun (even...

Hi, this is my first post here, i´m kinda new to bonsai i´ve been practicing it for around 2 years now, last year my gf gave me this Satsuki Azalea (at least she said it was an Azalea, but i haven´t found any azaleas with similar leaves in my search.) and it was growing pretty well until last...

I have had this bonsai for a few weeks now and have noticed some yellow/white discolouration on some of the needles. I have been leaving it outside where it gets sun for half the day (brought it inside to inspect the tree hence the photo's being indoors) however, this has been on the floor and...

Hi friends, I am new to this bonsai thing. I asked for a bonsai tree for Christmas, in my mind since I live in Oklahoma an indoor one would be practical but I was gifted with an outdoor Satsuki azalea. I need tips for this plant and I have a few questions. 1. Can I grow this plant inside? 2...

Location: Central Pennsylvania I should start by saying I'm completely new to bonsai... so, there was a small boxwood shrub in my grandparents garden, and I've been REALLY wanting to get into bonsai for like, years now, and I overheard the gardener talking about how the other small boxwoods...

Got this tree from Brent Walston @ Evergreen. I am thinking of trunk chopping next Spring just above the first branch and letting that be the new leader to create taper and then let it continue to grow. Is this a good idea? Any suggestions in preparing this tree to become a worthy bonsai. Thanks...