beginner

Every list I see of beginner species includes types of juniper, and although they are great, I’m curious as to what people think of other conifers. In your opinion, what are the top 5 easiest conifer species that aren’t junipers?

Hey Guys, Earlier this summer, I found this daubs frosted juniper in a corner at a local nursery and got it for half off. The only thing I’ve really done done is cut the dead stuff off and try nursing it back to health. I’m just going to let it be until next year. What direction do you think I...

HI everyone! I just got my first bonsai today (a creeping juniper from my local nursery), and with some wonderful advice from @pandacular pruned it into a shape. Since this is my first ever Bonsai, I thought it'd be fun to start a progression thread This was the initial Juniper, which I had...

Hey all, I received a few new elms in the mail and I was unsure what the suggested care for them immediately after receiving them was. I read that fertilizing should be kept off for a few weeks but couldn't really find any solid information about whether or not to protect them from the wind or...

Hey all, I had my first attempt at overwintering a chinese elm "outdoors" (just not in a heated house) in an unheated garage. This spring, it seemed to wake up somewhat and has buds on many branches but still no leaves as of yet. I fear that it may be dead. Does anyone else have any rough idea...

Hello! I purchased some Yoshino Cherry Tree Seeds (I couldn't afford a sapling), with the intent of attempting to get at least one to grow to try making a Bonsai tree. I've never done this before, so I was wondering if there is anything specific to these plants/my situation I should know. I...

A huge white mulberry tree fell down in my yard last summer. This branch grew out of the stump and I've been letting it survive so I can air layer it. I'm planning on doing that this weekend. Any suggestions on where to air layer? My tentative plan is to remove a strip of bark in the middle of...

Hi! I have no idea what to do with this butterfly maple. I've added wire but i can't form the branches right in any way. Maybe i should prune? I'm a beginner so i would appreciate your help!😀

So I have a few trees (Chinese Junipers) now, all bought from a normal garden nursery, put good random bends in the trunks, wired the branches into decent directions and they seem to have survived the harsh Finnish winter on my open, unprotected balcony. (Not sure yet, they're still green though...

Got these three plants to entertain myself during my vacations. I want to use three different approaches on them, like an experiment. These are $20 nursery stock so I’d like to learn as much as I can and not being too careful. Tree number one: Tree number two: Tree number three: As...

First and foremost, I've finally decided to come out of the shadows. I've been stalking around this site for about a year now, made an account a month ago, and here we are today. And second, I'm new to the bonsai world and trying to learn what I can as I go. I currently have two plants that I'm...

I am looking to buy a Bonsai tool kit for a beginner. I am overwhelmed by choice. Does anyone have suggestions? I was looking at a 5 piece TinyRoots Bonsai Tools Kit to start: https://www.amazon.com/BonsaiOutlet-Tinyroots-Piece-Carbon-Pruning/dp/B077D2CJ8L#customerReviews. The tools are carbon...

Recently got a another tree from a nursery, a Chinese Juniper 'Blaauws'. I slip pot into a bigger nursery pot to allow it to grow more and also wired the trunk and a few other thicker branches just for movement. Besides that pulled out small crotch growth and tiny weak interior foliage to open...

I was trying to look for some organic soils I can use because I don't want to buy Akadama as it is too expensive in my area and it apparently doesn't last long especially with my local climate. I would also like to use the same organic soils for both my trees and other plants I am propagating...

Hello all, I was recently gifted this Maple from a friend who collected it from his property. It appeared to be dying and it was brought back to health in a pot. The top part looks to be dead wood with new growth towards the bottom. I would love to know when is the best time and place to chop...

New to Bonsai and trying to come up with a good alternative to Akadama as it is expensive to get it here in my Nordic country. I have also heard it breaks down really fast in the cold weather. I am currently growing conifers and have read that a 1:1:1 soil mix of Pumice, Lava Rock and Akadama...

Hello all, so I have unfortunately not gotten this Chinese elm to root, and have since taken the moss ball off of the tree. it's been off for a few days so everything soft seems to have callused over. 1, does anyone have any idea what went wrong? and 2, should I do anything to this to prevent...

Hi all, I'm quite new to this hobby and would like any advice or input anybody is willing to give me. In fact, as of now, I haven't styled, nor do I yet plan to style, any trees. For the time being, I'm only interested in growing young saplings to raise in the coming years, while reading up on...

I recently have been getting into bonsai, and purchased some Juniperus Horizontalis to just practice wiring and stuff with. After feeling like that went okay, I decided to take a risk and order another plant online. I ordered a 'Blauuws' Juniper Chinensis, and was pretty surprised when it...

Hi everyone, Was always interested in bonsai and got really into it after attending a local show and joining the local club. Held off on buying anything off the bat since I wanted to research more, but was able to score a cedar elm and Chinese elm seedling from a door drawing during the meeting...

Hi Everyone, No, I'm not an expert, and yes, I only watched the first 1/3 of a Heron's Bonsai video on pruning/wiring my first spruce before giving it a shot. Obligatory "I butchered it" and "I know it looks horrible" - please help me! I accidentally topped the tree before reading that this...

I just re-potted this Jacaranda from a tiny pot that I got it in. I’m just a little concerned about the color of the trunk as it looks a bit brown, should I leave it partially shaded or can I leave it out in the sunlight what would be best? Does it look healthy to you?

Hello! I’m a beginner (Zone 5a) looking for some insight on this Amur maple I picked up yesterday. I was thinking about where to chop it to have it build more taper, how to develop it properly, etc. Basically, I’m wondering what would you do with this? Thanks in advance! :)

So I’m about 2 years into practicing bonsai and I’ve gotten the itch to collect some yamadori specimens. I have the chance to collect somewhere that has a bunch of American hornbeams and wanted to ask for advice. I found one in particular that seems really interesting. It’s a fairly large...

This is my first Spring practicing bonsai and I'm wondering where everyone gets their soil supplies from? Last Summer I bought pumice and akadama from ebay and was not impressed by it's quality. I want to buy in bulk, none of those small 2 quart bags. I'm also curious what size akadama I should...