Beginner bonsai?

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Bonsaiboy

Mame
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First off, sorry I've been posting so much lately, just trying to get on my feet, and I really prefer talking to someone via text vs google. I would like a nice beginner bonsai, but not like a ficus. I want this to be my first "legit" bonsai. I would like some suggestions on what kind of free to get, and also where from. (No nurseries near me) I would like a tree that's older than a sapling, but would not like to pay much. I know I'm being extremely picky, so I apologize. So please list any good sellers online, thank you all!
 
What are you interested in? Indoor or outdoor trees? Ficus make great trees, and I can assure you, they're "legit."


And how dare you apologize for posting on a public forum :p
 
Haha thanks, and I'm looking for an outdoor tree. I had no idea they were real bonsai.
 
Bonsaiboy said:
Haha thanks, and I'm looking for an outdoor tree. I had no idea they were real bonsai.
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You had no idea they were real bonsai....? You realize what bonsai is, right :rolleyes:

Bonsai is any tree, which Ficus are, made small to look big. So yes, a Ficus is a real bonsai species, and a dang good one at that.

For outdoors, a Juniper or Trident Maple would probably make a good starter tree.
 
Bahahha! Sorry about that! Then maybe ill look into ficuses. I actually own a juniper, a very young one that is. I will go ahead and look up trident maples.
 
Bonsaiboy said:
Bahahha! Sorry about that! Then maybe ill look into ficuses. I actually own a juniper, a very young one that is. I will go ahead and look up trident maples.
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There's really nothing wrong with Ficus. They may be looked down upon for being "beginner" trees, but they're absolutely perfect for bonsai.

You keep the Juniper outdoors, I assume?
 
Redwood Ryan said:
There's really nothing wrong with Ficus. They may be looked down upon for being "beginner" trees, but they're absolutely perfect for bonsai.

You keep the Juniper outdoors, I assume?
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Yes, the juniper is outdoors. And I vaguely remember a lot of people telling me ficuses were fake bonsai, and were an "ugly" house plant. I have no problem with them! I also have a sugar maple, I understand the leaves are a little large on the specific species. But I really like. Really liking the trident maple though, think I'm going to order one...
 
Bonsaiboy said:
And I vaguely remember a lot of people telling me ficuses were fake bonsai, and were an "ugly" house plant. I have no problem with them! I also have a sugar maple, I understand the leaves are a little large on the specific species. But I really like. Really liking the trident maple though, think I'm going to order one...
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Ficus are not fake bonsai. Ficus are trees, bonsai are trees, therefore Ficus can be bonsai. A lot of people keep them as houseplants, but those aren't your typical species used for bonsai, those are benjamina which work best as houseplants.
 
Bonsaiboy said:
Yeah, I have a ginseng, which I guess would be considered a houseplant?
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Due to those tubers, those aren't really bonsai material. Not cause it's a Ficus, but cause of the tubers.

But hey, maybe these Ficus will one day be considered bonsai. One day....
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Bonsaiboy said:
"One day" ;) :o Well thanks for informing me about the ficus. Would any one species of those be a better beginner bonsai than another?
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Ficus salicaria or Ficus microcarpa both work well for beginners.
 
If you go the Juniper route be positive you get a Green Mound Juniper - Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' as I guarantee you others are not as easy to work with... :p
 
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