I NEED SOME HELP lol .... dont hate me "questions" :P

[MattE]

OK !!! so , i went to my local nursery today, and low and behold THEY HAD BONSAIS WE USUALLY DONT GET ...i wanted them all ALL OF THEM ...now i am new to this but i have done ALOT of research im talking 40 hours plus on videos and lots of reading
my dream trees are Chinese elm , serissa done pierneef style <3 and fukien tea tree ... i dont know why i like those ...they just bring me joy when i look at them
At the nursery they had...

Chinese elm ( not the best condition or size ..nothing stunning but i could make cuttings )
Black olive ..was kind of digging the look of them ..such crazy branch structure
Fukien tea tree .. i would have bought it but what scared me was the leaves were a gorgeous green but if you touched them they fell off very easy..lady said it was from shipping shock but i was weary ( wanted to talk to you guys first )
Serissa ( the cutest one every <3 ) but the one lady say they dont need dormancy i have read they do so again i wanted to talk to you guys...i trust your words of wisdom and accept all knowledge .. thank you guys for that !!
Ixora ....have never come across this before in my research know nothing about them, but it was really nice
Chinese sweet plum REALLY enjoyed the look of this and i can see it making an excellent bonsai
Privet .. again no experience in this tree, haven't seen much in my studies on this
Jade ....my mom had a jade plant for years it was huge and i never liked it but... surprisingly i am gonna pick one up cause it was 30 bucks and was a pretty nice little alien bonsai that should have a home on my plant stand

i guess some of my questions are what ones are "indoor" what need dormancy and special attention
Thank you if you took the time to read these any info on the trees from experience would be great, i do have a green thumb and love plants ...just not much in bonsai its self

 

[Silentrunning]

Matt, I am pretty new to bonsai too, but I would like to make one suggestion. Take a good look at local trees. Trees that are native to your area will be much easier to care for and will increase your success rate. I have to keep from buying the exotics because they will have a better chance of living once my skill level increases.

 

[MattE]

Matt, I am pretty new to bonsai too, but I would like to make one suggestion. Take a good look at local trees. Trees that are native to your area will be much easier to care for and will increase your success rate. I have to keep from buying the exotics because they will have a better chance of living once my skill level increases.

yeah i respect that answer , but i i dont like the trees in my area maples are ok , ornamental cherry is nice , but i like those trees and honestly i may loose some and i may rock some. so im hoping to get insight on those trees in the nursery, i do however understand where you are coming from. but im just not wanting to get into yamadori right now. im new and excited and would like to get something to burn the itch until next year when i have time to collect

 

[grouper52]

Hi MattE.

I agree wholeheartedly with Silentrunning's advice above ... I'm reminded of Ian Tyson's old song, Four Strong Winds - (great covers over the years by Neil Young and others)- with it's two pertinent verses:

Think I'll go out to Alberta, weather's good there in the Fall,
Got some friends that I can go to working for
Still I wish you'd change your mind, if I asked you one more time,
But we've been through that a hundred times or more.

If I get there before the snow flies, and if things are going good
You could meet me if I sent you down the fare
But by then it would be winter, there ain't too much for you to do
And those winds sure can blow cold way out there ....

I always loved Fukien teas, for instance, but even living in several much, much more forgiving climates than yours, and even trying them indoors, I found them to be very finicky, looking great for a spell and then inevitably just capriciously dying one day for no apparent reason, and I've heard that same story from many others who tried to grow them. They are from southern China, and right now here in the Philippines they grow really great, but Alberta??! - probably not ... and you'll want to get trees with a high rate of success where you live, or you'll drop the hobby pretty quickly, which would be a shame. I'm pretty sure the serissa might be a big mistake as well, unless it's indoors, but indoors with exotics and tropicals has always - to me - seemed less gratifying than rugged outdoor trees. Be sure to learn, BTW, about the various ways to keep even the local trees alive through the winter there - in a small pot, even native trees from that area will die if you don't protect them from the cold well enough.

So, good luck, MattE and welcome to the hobby/addiction, and to the best bonsai web site anywhere.

 

[MattE]

Hi MattE.

I agree wholeheartedly with Silentrunning's advice above ... I'm reminded of Ian Tyson's old song, Four Strong Winds - (great covers over the years by Neil Young and others)- with it's two pertinent verses:

Think I'll go out to Alberta, weather's good there in the Fall,
Got some friends that I can go to working for
Still I wish you'd change your mind, if I asked you one more time,
But we've been through that a hundred times or more.

If I get there before the snow flies, and if things are going good
You could meet me if I sent you down the fare
But by then it would be winter, there ain't too much for you to do
And those winds sure can blow cold way out there ....

I always loved Fukien teas, for instance, but even living in several much, much more forgiving climates than yours, and even trying them indoors, I found them to be very finicky, looking great for a spell and then inevitably just capriciously dying one day for no apparent reason, and I've heard that same story from many others who tried to grow them. They are from southern China, and right now here in the Philippines they grow really great, but Alberta??! - probably not ... and you'll want to get trees with a high rate of success where you live, or you'll drop the hobby pretty quickly, which would be a shame. I'm pretty sure the serissa might be a big mistake as well, unless it's indoors, but indoors with exotics and tropicals has always - to me - seemed less gratifying than rugged outdoor trees. Be sure to learn, BTW, about the various ways to keep even the local trees alive through the winter there - in a small pot, even native trees from that area will die if you don't protect them from the cold well enough.

So, good luck, MattE and welcome to the hobby/addiction, and to the best bonsai web site anywhere.

Thanks for that! , The serissa i wanted to keep indoors but i wasnt sure if they needed to be dormant for a certain period. And the trees here that are planted in the ground most people mulch , even our town trees get a lump of mulch around the trunks. we dont really keep plants in pots , we plant bushes in our flower beds anything left in a 5 to 10 gal pot dies usually unless its a really hearty bush. im fine with indoor full spectrum lighting in the winter and humidity trays ect. i would do whatever to keep them alive. i understand yamadori and bonsais that are outside all year round are fun and cool and if i had a huge backyard id do that. but for now i have to stick with what i can mainly have in the house. our average winter temps are -25'C with out wind chill up to -40 with wind chill.

 

[grouper52]

Thanks for that! , The serissa i wanted to keep indoors but i wasnt sure if they needed to be dormant for a certain period. And the trees here that are planted in the ground most people mulch , even our town trees get a lump of mulch around the trunks. we dont really keep plants in pots , we plant bushes in our flower beds anything left in a 5 to 10 gal pot dies usually unless its a really hearty bush. im fine with indoor full spectrum lighting in the winter and humidity trays ect. i would do whatever to keep them alive. i understand yamadori and bonsais that are outside all year round are fun and cool and if i had a huge backyard id do that. but for now i have to stick with what i can mainly have in the house. our average winter temps are -25'C with out wind chill up to -40 with wind chill.

Yes, I think outdoor bonsai there would be quite a challenge, especially with only a small backyard. Dormant local trees, though, can usually survive in an unheated garage if mulched in, especially if there's a little bit of light coming in through a window someplace to give them something to grow with during the dangerously unpredictable temperature shifts during the transition to spring.

But it sounds like your adventure with indoor plants might be very gratifying, and certainly having some happy little growing things to tend to may give you "a reason to go on living," through those winters, because "those winds sure can blow cold, way out there." Good luck!

 

[Carol 83]

Since 99% of my trees are tropical-sub-tropical, I understand you wanting something inside to take care of in the winter. I have one each of Fukien Tea and Serissa, but my fingers are constantly crossed that they won't just keel over if I look at them wrong. Jade for sure if you want something that's hard to kill. Not sure what's available in your area, but there are easier tropicals like Natal Plums or Barbados Cherrys. Or just a Ficus.

 

[MattE]

Since 99% of my trees are tropical-sub-tropical, I understand you wanting something inside to take care of in the winter. I have one each of Fukien Tea and Serissa, but my fingers are constantly crossed that they won't just keel over if I look at them wrong. Jade for sure if you want something that's hard to kill. Not sure what's available in your area, but there are easier tropicals like Natal Plums or Barbados Cherrys. Or just a Ficus.

thank you for understanding, do you find the serissa hard to please and keep alive? have you ever had experience with Chinese sweet plum ...they did have this one ficus there with the long skinny leaves, not sure what kind that was

 

[Carol 83]

thank you for understanding, do you find the serissa hard to please and keep alive? have you ever had experience with Chinese sweet plum ...they did have this one ficus there with the long skinny leaves, not sure what kind that was

I have killed several serissas. The one I have managed to keep alive is a cutting I got from a member here, and I think it came with his good mojo. Never had a Chinese sweet plum, but you should be good with any Ficus. Best of luck, I hate winter, can't imagine living in Canada.

 

[MattE]

I have killed several serissas. The one I have managed to keep alive is a cutting I got from a member here, and I think it came with his good mojo. Never had a Chinese sweet plum, but you should be good with any Ficus. Best of luck, I hate winter, can't imagine living in Canada.

Again thank you very much for your imput, Canada isnt that bad .....for 6 months of the year I wish you the best of luck with your serissa and all of your Bonsai

 

[GSCarlson]

I have a Chinese Sweet Plum, and it is one of my favorite trees. It grows like a weed year round, and back buds like crazy if you prune it way back.

 

[MattE]

I have a Chinese Sweet Plum, and it is one of my favorite trees. It grows like a weed year round, and back buds like crazy if you prune it way back.

thanks for that tid bit of info. from what i have been seeing online they make a very nice bonsai

 

[Anthony]

Matt,

Serissa s., and Sageretia t [ sweet plum ] are zone 7 in China
outdoors, bonsai pots drop to zone 8.

Yes they sleep from Christmas until mid to end of February.

Look up -

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/index.html

Good Day
Anthony

 

[MattE]

Matt,

Serissa s., and Sageretia t [ sweet plum ] are zone 7 in China
outdoors, bonsai pots drop to zone 8.

Yes they sleep from Christmas until mid to end of February.

Look up -

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/index.html

Good Day
Anthony

Thank you for this information, im guessing they dont have to drop to low in temp for them to go dormant , would a drafty window in the winter be ok for that ?

 

[Anthony]

Tropics here.

On my side they stop growing from Christmas until around mid February.

You could do an experiment and just mimic my climate.
86 deg. F max by day and 70 at night from 6 p.m until around 8 a.m
We get a very few days as low as 66 deg. F

Buy a few plants of what you like, but cheap stuff, no masterpieces.
Take cuttings say - 10.

There several books on Indoor Growing - read up.
The Brooklyn Botanical gardens has one.
There is an article by a chap who used simple Fluorescent tubes.
Jack Wickle - also in the Meislik articles.
He has grown them for years.
Library or Amazon.

You need a soil that drains well, but holds water.

It takes 3 to 5 years to master the horticultural part of growing
Bonsai.
You may find it easier to just learn to water and grow for 3 years.

Please join a club in reality ------- speeds everything up.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[M. Frary]

Yes, I think outdoor bonsai there would be quite a challenge,

My weather is very comparable with Alberta.
It might get colder here not sure.
I suggest American elm instead of chinese.
I've tried to keep Chinese elm here with very limited success.
Junipers are good.
Scots and Mugo pines.
Tamaracks.
There are lots of trees that can take super cold.
Mine stay outside all year.
No garage either.

 

[Wilson]

Matt a ton of people here in Québec grow serissa and the others indoors, it's all about creating an environment for them. I know @GrimLore has a pretty awesome indoor set up, and I believe @f1pt4 does as well. Lots of people in northern climates grow inside, just to enjoy some life in the long winter months.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I grow orchids under lights. So I'll answer with my experience in mind.

Chinese elm - sub-tropical. Needs high light for bonsai useable growth. Never worked out well in my light garden. I suggest American elm or siberian elm and grow it outdoors.

Black olive - needs bright light, a ''true tropical'', it quits growing below 60 F, if kept warm all winter will keep growing all winter.

Fukien tea tree .. they are good in an under lights set up. I do have trouble keeping Fukien tea long term, but it is one of those trees that either it is bullet proof for you, growing well, or never survives for you.

Serissa - excellent under lights. Should do well even with little or no dormancy.

Ixora ....Beautiful flowering shrub, makes excellent bonsai if you live in Singapore, Malaysia, or Indonesia. It is occasionally used as a hedge in far southern Florida, but often doesn't do well. Sun, Heat and Humidity are key for good growth. Never seen a well grown one as bonsai in the USA.

Chinese sweet plum - was touchy, did not survive in my light garden. I think I let it get too dry between watering.
Privet .. the ones used as hedges in North America need a winter dormancy. There are some tropical privets, and privet relatives, that have light garden potential, no personal experience.

Jade ... easy under lights. Use it if you like it. Personally I don't think of jade as a bonsai, at best it is a nice houseplant.

 

[MattE]

I grow orchids under lights. So I'll answer with my experience in mind.

Chinese elm - sub-tropical. Needs high light for bonsai useable growth. Never worked out well in my light garden. I suggest American elm or siberian elm and grow it outdoors.

Black olive - needs bright light, a ''true tropical'', it quits growing below 60 F, if kept warm all winter will keep growing all winter.

Fukien tea tree .. they are good in an under lights set up. I do have trouble keeping Fukien tea long term, but it is one of those trees that either it is bullet proof for you, growing well, or never survives for you.

Serissa - excellent under lights. Should do well even with little or no dormancy.

Ixora ....Beautiful flowering shrub, makes excellent bonsai if you live in Singapore, Malaysia, or Indonesia. It is occasionally used as a hedge in far southern Florida, but often doesn't do well. Sun, Heat and Humidity are key for good growth. Never seen a well grown one as bonsai in the USA.

Chinese sweet plum - was touchy, did not survive in my light garden. I think I let it get too dry between watering.
Privet .. the ones used as hedges in North America need a winter dormancy. There are some tropical privets, and privet relatives, that have light garden potential, no personal experience.

Jade ... easy under lights. Use it if you like it. Personally I don't think of jade as a bonsai, at best it is a nice houseplant.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions...really means alot to me hearing it from one with first hand experience. i guess im only asking so many questions so i dont screw up as bad at first. i know im gonna kill a plant ...or 10 but i wanna make that number as little as possible ..so again thank you for this

 

[grouper52]

i know im gonna kill a plant ...or 10 but i wanna make that number as little as possible ..

Killing a plant or ten may be OK, I guess, unless - and I have this on the best of authority (according to him) - unless one of those is a Fukien tea, in which case you'll be a "MURDERER!!!!" Just an FYI ...