dirk hoorelbeke
Omono
Read, buy a cheap tree for this year. Start with a better in spring next year. Look for bonsai people in your area, ask what species grow well.
Curious about Bonsai, but unsure where to start.
Qomsday
Sapling
Thanks for the advice, and I'm thinking I might try to pick up a tree on the way home today! I've already located a kind of local bonsai society, but I'm having trouble finding the meeting place. Thanks again!
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
If you go with bare root from that vendor you should see results far quicker then I do up North - PM me for inexpensive large potted growing starters - anything you get there now from then should be fully ready to Winter as planted while being able to work them a bit over the next two years and get a good idea how it all happens
Right now there is one Crabapple in a pot 1 year going in at 2 foot, was chopped to three foot and now is close to 5 foot here - it can and will take severe chops the next two years but that is Bonsai. BTW if you want to try a fruit tree from them I highly recommend the Tilton Apricot 
Grimmy
Qomsday
Sapling
Thanks, but I think due to my moving coming up I want to start with something pretty cheap. I've been reading through the links in the thread earlier and they've been extremely informative. If I don't find anything I like in the next couple days I'll take a look again at the bare root optionsIf you go with bare root from that vendor you should see results far quicker then I do up North - PM me for inexpensive large potted growing starters - anything you get there now from then should be fully ready to Winter as planted while being able to work them a bit over the next two years and get a good idea how it all happens
Grimmy
Qomsday
Sapling
Okay so I'm following some advice (and the article by Brent Walston, fascinating stuff) and I bought a small tree to learn with, a cheap Chinese juniper because that's all that any place that was open near me had. I've got some pictures, but don't want to ruin it by cutting too much. I bought some good Fiskars snips, and don't worry, this will be outside on my South facing balcony when I'm done making this post. Does anyone have any suggestions before I mess up this early?
Ben Nabors
Sapling
I am in Gwinnett county. I would highly recommend taking a ride up to Plant City Bonsai in Clermont, Georgia. Steve is a great guy and has a great deal of stuff to start with. They have classes up there a couple times a year. They are having a beginners Bonsai class in the end of June. Look up his page on You tube and you can see some of his trees he has this year. If you have any questions I can help any way I can.
Qomsday
Sapling
Hi Ben, it's nice to see someone so close! I appreciate the offer and want to make it up to Plant City but it may be a while before i can
Zach Smith
Omono
Just don't expect them to be evergreen. You'll be disappointed come winter.
Qomsday
Sapling
I've realized my mistake now haha! I think I'll hold off on the cypress though and see how this one does once I start training it!Just don't expect them to be evergreen. You'll be disappointed come winter.
Noobjuice
Sapling
I just started as well, finding good material for cheap has been more difficult than I expected but it can be done. I live an hour and half north of you in greenville sc, Azeleas and crepe myrtles are good material. Crepe myrtles grow fast and you can get one from a big box store for about 25$. If you look closely you may be able to find one with 2-3 plants in the same pot. I just bought a crepe myrtle on sale at half off for 11$. I Bare rooted it and was able to separate 3 different trees.
Qomsday
Sapling
That might be a future project, right now I think I'm gonna focus on my new juniper
Noobjuice
Sapling
Hardest part for me has been getting over my envy for some of the trees you see here and all over the internet lol.
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
All start as curious or envious beginners
. If able to attend workshops or train with professional skill will come. More practice/faster learning. Wax on wax off grasshopper.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
That might be a future project, right now I think I'm gonna focus on my new juniper
Welcome to Crazy!
You know...
Focusing on one tree...
Is kind of like paying $18 for a fat buffet....
And focusing on the water!
Get Mo!
And Mo!
Sorce
Qomsday
Sapling
Thanks for the advice, and I will get more I'm sure! I just want to learn how to keep something alive first!
Can anybody see the pictures I posted? I haven't done any kind of pruning yet, that will be tonight
Any advice is welcome!
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
Take a close look at those stickers and write down all of the info - there are several types of this species and care varies a bit
Grimmy
Qomsday
Sapling
Will do, great idea! I'll post my results of my first pruning tonight hopefully!Take a close look at those stickers and write down all of the info - there are several types of this species and care varies a bit
Grimmy
dirk hoorelbeke
Omono
Not sure if it's a "common" juniperus chinensis. I hope it is. When you want to start pruning, keep in mind that often the roots / nebari starts lower down than the soil level. It has a great impact on the design options. I know you want to cut, but the first thing you have to do is knowing how to grow things. If not, you will cut and after a month or two you might ask yourself, what have i done wrong?
Qomsday
Sapling
I hope so too In any case this will be a learning experience!
In any case this will be a learning experience!
Qomsday
Sapling
Another question for anyone still here reading, I bought a pair of Fiskars snips(?) that I've seen recommended on this forum and elsewhere, they are small and precise. Should I have any other tools for starting out?
Similar threads
