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.

 

[littleDragon]

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

 

[littleDragon]

It's planted with pod dirt, kelp and small pebbles. This small pot does come with holes. I have been taking it out in the evenings for about 45 minutes and just. Increasing the time every other day or so. But maybe in about a week I will keep out for the day or something. My plant is growing but it is bending on its own.

Can I repot it to adjust to make it grow straight? Should I repot it or is it too soon for 3 week old flame tree?

 

[littleDragon]

Can you tell me which veterans I can talk to?

 

[rockm]

It's planted with pod dirt, kelp and small pebbles. This small pot does come with holes. I have been taking it out in the evenings for about 45 minutes and just. Increasing the time every other day or so. But maybe in about a week I will keep out for the day or something. My plant is growing but it is bending on its own.

Can I repot it to adjust to make it grow straight? Should I repot it or is it too soon for 3 week old flame tree?

Moving it inside and outside will do more harm than good. Put it outside in a semi shady spot (morning sun for three hours or so) and leave it.

Plants don’t like to move around. Thats why they have roots. Moving them constantly between two locations mean the plants has to constantly readjust its processes-respiration light intensity etc. that adds up to stress

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Can you tell me which veterans I can talk to?

I would definitely follow any advice from @rockm. He's very straightforward, pulls no punches. He's going to tell you exactly the right thing to improve or fix it, whether it's what you want to hear or not, and you're already getting feedback from him, so just do what he suggests. @leatherback is another; I don't know his knowledge of tropicals. It's a very long list. @dbonsaiw, @penumbra, @Hartinez, and many others. I've gotten so much good advice from so many people here, I struggle to remember who is strong in which areas. If I'm right, I think @KateM and @Orion_metalhead have experience with tropicals, so they may have some suggestions for your situation. @NMbonsai has some knowledge of growing bonsai in the desert as well.

As for repotting, if it were me, I would leave it alone until at least the end of what Phoenicians call winter. And if it is bending the trunk naturally, Do Not Straighten it! A natural movement in the trunk is exactly what we try to emulate in bonsai, so count it a blessing that your tree is striving to be a bonsai before you even do anything to it.

 

[leatherback]

Sorry. I am not getting back into the discussion grow indoor or now.

As for @littleDragon .. If you post your questions in their own thread instead of in a thread on a completely different topic, you might get better interaction.
Never really having grown a flame tree, except for some odd seeds for a year or two, and heatwave here meaning 95F I cannot be of much help.

 

[Cajunrider]

Can you tell me which veterans I can talk to?

This thread showed I grew one from seed to be a bonsai.

Post in thread 'Cjr Delonix Regia'

Aug 3, 2023

Those look different from the ones I am used to see in the islands. More orange like the Pride of Barbados flower below.
View attachment 501028

Most Delonix Regia (Flamboyant tree) flowers I have seen are redder as below with the variegated petal which is clearly visible on your first two pictures. It would be nice to be able to have both... LOL
View attachment 501029

View attachment 501030

I am sure @namnhi can tell the difference between Flamboyant trees and Pride of Barbados. After all the Flamboyant trees are native to his old country.
The trees in his posted pictures are a bit too big to be Pride...

• Cajunrider

 

[Jetson1950]

Trying to catch up on some of these long threads. Just ran through this one and was looking for certain comments and couldn’t find what I think is one of the most important issues when trying to grow plants indoors.

That issue in CO2 levels. Yes, plants have to have CO2, but too much becomes harmful. My other hobby, a saltwater coral reef tank needed the same concern when it comes to CO2. The world used to have an average level of 300 ppm of CO2. Now, (global warming for those who worry about it) the average CO2 levels outside is around 410 ppm. A 33% increase. Plants handle that, but probably don’t like it. If you look at the average for most people’s houses it is between 700-2000 ppm. You have friends come over and it can jump to over 5000 ppm. Trees don’t like that because it messes with their breathing and photosynthesis processes. Same thing happens to us if we constantly get elevated levels of oxygen for too long. Our body’s are used to 20% O2 in the air. Even with only one person in the house, it’s hard to keep the CO2 levels down below 450. Most of us who have saltwater tanks have house CO2 scrubbers to keep the level down or the PH of the saltwater will drop and crash the tank. Trees need to be outdoors for their best growth.