There’s a saying that certainly applies here – K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Sweetie. Even if you’ve just begun to explore buying your first bonsai, you already know that there’s an extraordinary amount of information available online and offline. You might be feeling overwhelmed. However, if you keep the saying K.I.S.S. in mind, you can begin, in baby steps, to join the community of successful bonsai tree growers.
Where and What?
First, think about where you live and what conditions you have to offer your new bonsai. If, for example, you live in a climate that has distinct seasons ranging from hot and dry to cold and snowy, how can you “winter over” your bonsai? If, however, you live where it’s warm and humid most of the time, what bonsai is better suited to that climate?
Selecting the most suitable species for your climate and conditions will give you greater beginning success – simple.
Three Major Species
There are three major species categories of bonsai:
- Tropical – requires constant high temperatures, prefers high humidity and light levels, cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees F, and are referred to as “tender”
- Sub-tropical – enjoys high temperatures, prefers cooler and drier conditions, some can tolerate a few degrees below freezing for very short periods, and are referred to as “half-hardy”
- Temperate – where Summer is warm and wet and Winter has prolonged periods below freezing, require a resting period (dormancy) so bonsai won’t become “exhausted”, and are referred to as “hardy”
Think about where you live and what you can offer. Begin to narrow down your best choice for your new bonsai based on the general guidelines above.
Remember, your bonsai tree is a miniaturized tree. Therefore, no matter where you live all bonsai enjoy most or part of their time outside. Can you offer an easily-accessible and safe place?
Variety
Once you’ve considered which specific species category is best suited for you, look at the variety of bonsai within that species. Are you interested in foliage, flowering and/or fruit-bearing bonsai? Do you have conditions that are conducive for that particular tree? If not, can you replicate optimum growing conditions; or, are you willing and able to commit to creating those conditions?
To give you and your new bonsai the best opportunity for a long and enjoyable life together, keeping it simple your first time increases your success.
Choosing a Bonsai Specialist
Now that you’ve considered where you live, what you can offer, narrowed your choices and what species best suits you, your next question is where to buy your first bonsai and for what to look for in a healthy tree. With the increasing interest in bonsai, they can be bought at your local nursery, online and, even, “mall bonsai”. Your best bet is – buy from a bonsai specialist – simple. A bonsai specialist is primarily focused on your success and enjoyment. They want you be a long-time customer. Offering healthy trees, supplies, support, information and guarantees, a bonsai specialist should be your first choice.
General guidelines for what to look for and what to avoid are:
Look for:
- natural root formation
- even trunk line from base to crown
- healthy, dense foliage
- strong branch structure
- pest-free
Avoid:
- yellowing or dry foliage
- twisted, stunted new growth
- soil should not be compacted or hard
- too many weeds are a sign of neglect
- signs of fungal and/or insect infestation
By keeping it simple, considering what you have to offer, committing the time to learn about your new bonsai tree and having the patience – both you and your first bonsai can thrive.
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