Why you cannot keep bonsai trees indoors

[Shogun610]

came across this thread trying to learn something about bonsai trees and all I found was hypocrisy. let me explain:

you guys seem to have no trouble with mutilation, distortion, torture etc but when it comes to indoor bonsai, that's where you draw the line? I'm not saying you're wrong but putting a tree in a pot isn't exactly natural either because it's not grounded anymore either. the pot essentially is "indoors" for the tree itself. guess what: we probably aren't supposed to live indoors either, we're part of nature are we not?

so this whole jabbadabiddibi about "dry air", "no airflow", "99.9% does not equal impossible" and "you're not wearing sunglasses indoors" is all a bunch of people talking about the way they perceive the world, in other words a lot of unknowns. at the end of the day everything is made of quarks and atoms, infinite space in between those and various frequencies holding them together, flowing through them -like schumann resonances- or certain ones propagating bloom while others inhibitting their cell division.

what I'm trying to say is you're bonsaiing your notion of morals into a pot that suits your standpoints based on beliefs or business concepts, critizicing some people while at the same time putting yourselves on pedestles or moral high grounds. it's a bit fascist if you think about it (of a mild degree compared to other variants).

here's something to ponder about: if I cut a bit of a tree, a tiny branch, and make it grow somewhere else - is it still the same tree or is it another "entity"?

who cares, it's just cell division, vibration and cancer. we came from space dust and this is not a real problem.

 

[littleDragon]

Probably the biggest misunderstanding people have when starting out in bonsai - and the greatest mistake they make - is to think that they can keep bonsai trees indoors. With only a few exceptions, all bonsai trees must be kept outside, or they will die a quick and certain death. Even the short list of tropical trees that can be kept indoors would do better if they were kept outside. I wanted to create a thread for people to discuss this subject - and the horticultural reasons why this is true - so that we can avoid unnecessary tree deaths and the disappointment bonsai beginners feel when their first efforts end in failure.

Sadly, I have found that some retailers even sell their bonsai trees like they were houseplants - or label them as "indoor bonsai" to differentiate them from "outdoor bonsai". There is no such differentiation. They are all outdoor bonsai... though a tiny percentage may be kept alive indoors if the proper environment can be provided. This is certainly the exception and not the rule.

Worst yet is people who post on social media fake information like "I kept my bald cypress indoors and it did fine!". This thread is here to debunk that nonsense.

I will be editing this post as I have time - to create a lasting resource here on the site.

Probably the biggest misunderstanding people have when starting out in bonsai - and the greatest mistake they make - is to think that they can keep bonsai trees indoors. With only a few exceptions, all bonsai trees must be kept outside, or they will die a quick and certain death. Even the short list of tropical trees that can be kept indoors would do better if they were kept outside. I wanted to create a thread for people to discuss this subject - and the horticultural reasons why this is true - so that we can avoid unnecessary tree deaths and the disappointment bonsai beginners feel when their first efforts end in failure.

Sadly, I have found that some retailers even sell their bonsai trees like they were houseplants - or label them as "indoor bonsai" to differentiate them from "outdoor bonsai". There is no such differentiation. They are all outdoor bonsai... though a tiny percentage may be kept alive indoors if the proper environment can be provided. This is certainly the exception and not the rule.

Worst yet is people who post on social media fake information like "I kept my bald cypress indoors and it did fine!". This thread is here to debunk that nonsense.

I will be editing this post as I have time - to create a lasting resource here on the site.

Hi I'm new to growing bonsais. My bonsai is 12 days old, I have a flame tree, I'm growing inside my house and I live in Mesa, Arizona. If you could, what advice would you give to a newbie?

My bonsai also just started drooping today and it's 110 outside but the soil is moist, I'm trying to keep the dirt moist. Normally it has been growing in front of a window but doesn't really get indirect sunlight. I moved it to direct sunlight at a different window just for 15 minutes. But I am trying to understand it, should keep outside with 100+ degree whether ? Here is a picture:

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Hi I'm new to growing bonsais. My bonsai is 12 days old, I have a flame tree, I'm growing inside my house and I live in Mesa, Arizona. If you could, what advice would you give to a newbie?

My bonsai also just started drooping today and it's 110 outside but the soil is moist, I'm trying to keep the dirt moist. Normally it has been growing in front of a window but doesn't really get indirect sunlight. I moved it to direct sunlight at a different window just for 15 minutes. But I am trying to understand it, should keep outside with 100+ degree whether ? Here is a picture:

As the point of this thread, trees grow outside. Delonix regia, I assume is the species to which you are referring, is native to Madagascar, with a temperature range from about 50° Fahrenheit to over 100°. Temperature shouldn't be too big an issue, as long as you introduce it to high temps and direct sunlight gradually. A bigger challenge in your desert climate will be keeping your tree in high enough humidity, as it comes from an area with over 40% humidity year-round. For us, that's extremely muggy, but for this species, it's a day at the spa.
You will probably get better advice from veterans here, but I would suggest moving into outdoor shade for about a week, then into partial sunlight for a week, then a little more sun, so that after 6 weeks or so it is in full sun.
You will need to be careful with your watering. It appears that it's cup may not have any drain holes, so you probably need to poke some in the bottom. Also, if you have some kind of shallow tray or dish to put underneath, you can keep it full of water to increase humidity in the immediate area of the seedling.
What kind of soil is it planted in?

 

[rockm]

Hi I'm new to growing bonsais. My bonsai is 12 days old, I have a flame tree, I'm growing inside my house and I live in Mesa, Arizona. If you could, what advice would you give to a newbie?

My bonsai also just started drooping today and it's 110 outside but the soil is moist, I'm trying to keep the dirt moist. Normally it has been growing in front of a window but doesn't really get indirect sunlight. I moved it to direct sunlight at a different window just for 15 minutes. But I am trying to understand it, should keep outside with 100+ degree whether ? Here is a picture:

Desert gives good advice. You have an excellent bonsai club in your area with loads of people who know how to grow bonsai in your challenging climate. Take advantage of them. There are species that are better adapted to bonsai and hot arid environments. I assume you delonix came from a bonsai kit. Bonsai People don’t use that species much if at all.

Phoenix Bonsai Society – An Educational Non-Profit Dedicated to the Art of Bonsai

phoenixbonsai.com

 

[Cajunrider]

Desert gives good advice. You have an excellent bonsai club in your area with loads of people who know how to grow bonsai in your challenging climate. Take advantage of them. There are species that are better adapted to bonsai and hot arid environments. I assume you delonix came from a bonsai kit. Bonsai People don’t use that species much if at all.

Phoenix Bonsai Society – An Educational Non-Profit Dedicated to the Art of Bonsai

phoenixbonsai.com

It actually is popular in Asia as big bonsai. I had one and have friends who have them as bonsai as well. It can take heat but is susceptible to dry heat so some care is needed. It can’t take freezing at all. You can get it to flower easily at zone 10 and hotter. Zone 9 is iffy. Mine now has been grown 7 years in zone 9 (Louisiana and N Florida) and has not flowered.