Beginning Beginner

[Mithril]

I'm in zone 8a. I got a Ficus that fills me simultaneously with terror and joy. I historically "love" plants to death via overwatering so I'm excited to be here to learn and do better. I have beginning tools en route and another bonsai (bald cypress) already on the way. Why do I get the sneaking suspicion that I'm about to be surrounding myself with a plethora of bonsai realquickandinahurry? Here goes nothing!

 

[Gabler]

Read up on bonsai soil. That'll give you some help with your watering problem. It's also sometimes a good idea to get lots of trees so you can't give any one of them too much attention and love it to death.

 

[Mithril]

Read up on bonsai soil. That'll give you some help with your watering problem. It's also sometimes a good idea to get lots of trees so you can't give any one of them too much attention and love it to death.

Smart, thanks! I'll read up on soil toot sweet and that makes sense about multiple trees. Hopefully three will be the magic number to start because I have my eye on a water jasmine too. It's gonna be great. I'll research and take my time. Deep breaths.

 

[DanaWhicker]

What zone are you in?

 

[BrightsideB]

Welcome! I think this hobby can be great for plant lovers. That’s pretty much what we all are lol. Kusamono is also very interesting and something worth looking into. Bonsai is a journey. There isn’t ever a completed tree but rather a refined tree. Different genus and species require different care and techniques. It’s easy to want to start collecting all different types. Understanding that they can require much different care is important.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Welcome! You have landed in the right place!

The good thing about the bald cypress you're about to get is that you can't really overwater it. I put mine in water during the hot months and it seems to love it.

Also, the point Gabler is making about bonsai soil is that it is very granular and allows water to wash through, while holding small amounts of water in the granules themselves. It makes it much harder to overwater.

 

[penumbra]

Really need you to put your location in your profile so we can give you the proper advice. Sounds like you might be in Florida.

 

[Gollum169]

Welcome! Are you originally from Moria?

 

[Jrmcmich]

As others often say get more so you don’t love the one to death

 

[Mithril]

What zone are you in?

I'm in zone 8a - SC which I kind of love for this hobby.

 

[Mithril]

Welcome! I think this hobby can be great for plant lovers. That’s pretty much what we all are lol. Kusamono is also very interesting and something worth looking into. Bonsai is a journey. There isn’t ever a completed tree but rather a refined tree. Different genus and species require different care and techniques. It’s easy to want to start collecting all different types. Understanding that they can require much different care is important.

Thank you! Oooh, I'll have to look that up. I wish I started sooner but am glad to be on the journey now and will effectively 'chain myself to the desk.' lol

 

[TrevorLarsen]

Welcome to the site. It would be a good idea to add your location to your profile so when people click on your name it shows generally where you live it makes future advice better.

 

[Mithril]

Welcome! You have landed in the right place!

The good thing about the bald cypress you're about to get is that you can't really overwater it. I put mine in water during the hot months and it seems to love it.

Also, the point Gabler is making about bonsai soil is that it is very granular and allows water to wash through, while holding small amounts of water in the granules themselves. It makes it much harder to overwater.

Awesome! That is a relief about the soil. I still will reign myself in for the greater good of the bonsai. Y'all are wonderful! Oh my goodness, that bald cypress sounds like the right fit for me for sure!

 

[Mithril]

Welcome to the site. It would be a good idea to add your location to your profile so when people click on your name it shows generally where you live it makes future advice better.

Thank you! I'm in 8a SC. I joined then went to lunch but will get up on the profile right now.

 

[Mithril]

As others often say get more so you don’t love the one to death

I'm on it! I never thought the more the merrier - I was trying to restrain but now, watch out!

 

[Mithril]

Welcome! Are you originally from Moria?

Thank you! I am. I'm "light as a feather and as hard as dragon scales."

 

[Joe Dupre']

One suggestion. NEVER do anything to a tree until you fully understand if it actually needs it and what is likely to happen when you do it. If in doubt, read more, watch more videos and ask questions here.

 

[Mithril]

One suggestion. NEVER do anything to a tree until you fully understand if it actually needs it and what is likely to happen when you do it. If in doubt, read more, watch more videos and ask questions here.

Love this. I've been watching videos etc and "air hugging" my one bonsai in the meantime until I learn more and get less terrified. I'm thrilled to have found y'all so early on!

 

[penumbra]

I'm "light as a feather and as hard as dragon scales."

I get that. My wife is iron wrapped in silk.

 

[mark-kramer@colo]

One caveat I almost got bitten by in buying a bonsai. You don't say the source of your material, and also I haven't seen it so much lately, but make sure you don't buy one with the surface being small rocks glued together! I've seen this at places far more "reputable" than Home Depot and Lowe's.