Acer Palmatum Koto No Ito (Japanese Maple Harp String)

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Think about working with locally native species, then you won't have issues with trees surviving the low humidity and brutal sun of the high desert. And they could be wintered on your balcony without much difficulty. Especially look for native species who's range extends quite a ways north of you. Potentilla is a deciduous, native, hardy to cold end of zone 4, some maybe into zone 3, yellow flowers in summer and pretty good as bonsai. Ponderosa pine & Limber pine also come to mind.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Shade cloth is a product used by greenhouses, it comes in different levels of shade, 30%, 40%, 60% are some standard densities. You could ask at a local nursery if they'd sell you a few square feet, but you can improvise. Anything that cuts part of the sun's intensity is fine.

 

[chansen]

What kind of a Ficus do you have? I have a Ginseng right now but it is nowhere near what I had in mind. I really don't know what I can do with such a little thing. Does the club cost money to Join? I would love to meet some people face to face and learn, I don't have a ton of money and I don't want to kill the things I have haha.

I believe it's a benjamina. It was poorly cared for over a period of time, so I'm working on fixing the issues (trunk is pretty good, branches are really bad). The club does charge dues, but I don't remember what they are. You can certainly come and see, it's not like someone is at the door checking papers before people walk in .

Also, remember that killing trees comes with the territory. It is discouraging especially when you're on a tight budget (I remember those days well), but as long as you learn from those experiences, you can keep moving forward.

 

[Jordon Bigelow]

Ok, well now that I know a little more from all of your comments. I want a bonsai that I don't have to train as much that has a nice trunk already. I just want a good tree to start so I can learn about the care of bonsai while I grow and train some small trees and such. Any suggestions on to how to get such a tree beside buying a super expensive actual bonsai tree? Transplant...etc. I want one that I could wire up and shape the branches and do a little pruning to etc...I maybe asking for everyone's dream tree haha. The thing we all aspire to, but if not suggestions are welcome. Leo, where can I find a potentilla? I don't know if I have ever seen such a leaf.

 

[StoneCloud]

Chinese Elm may be your dream tree.

They grow fast. Fairly easy to work with, Sufficiently hardy. Small leaves, good ramification.

I believe it will make you happy.

 

[Jordon Bigelow]

Funny you say that. I actually went to my local nursery to see if they had any stock of Chinese elm. I do have some seeds that I purchase that I want to plant this next spring. Of course, that will be a fun project, but it won't have the gratification one desires haha. So I need to find out if there are any Chinese elm around here or if all the elm is American or English or another cultivar.

I definitely want to eventually have some Japanese Maples though. Their leaves are so pretty.

 

[Jordon Bigelow]

I actually have some type of an elm cutting hopefully rooting right now. It looks like it could be a Chinese elm, but I am not 100% sure.

 

[StoneCloud]

Funny you say that. I actually went to my local nursery to see if they had any stock of Chinese elm. I do have some seeds that I purchase that I want to plant this next spring. Of course, that will be a fun project, but it won't have the gratification one desires haha. So I need to find out if there are any Chinese elm around here or if all the elm is American or English or another cultivar.

I definitely want to eventually have some Japanese Maples though. Their leaves are so pretty.

Are there any bonsai shops near you? Try calling first and asking if they have any before driving over.

I know what you mean. I love Maples as well, my favorite tree.

 

[M. Frary]

I want to plant this next spring.

Why not plant them now?

 

[M. Frary]

I actually have some type of an elm cutting hopefully rooting right now. It looks like it could be a Chinese elm, but I am not 100% sure.

Any elm is a good elm for bonsai.
Chinese elm are what a mot of people have but here they don't like the cold winters.
I work with American and Siberian elm.
Both are great trees.
And you can have a sizeable trunk from a cutting or seed in a couple years.
They grow fast.

 

[Jordon Bigelow]

Why not plant them now?

I don't to just plant them until it is time for them to sprout. They have to go through a cold period of 3 months or so. So they wouldn't be sprouting until next spring anyways.

 

[Jordon Bigelow]

Are there any bonsai shops near you? Try calling first and asking if they have any before driving over.

I know what you mean. I love Maples as well, my favorite tree.

To my knowledge right now, the only bonsai shops I have seen have been tropical indoor bonsai style. I will ask about any with my Bonsai club in a few weeks.