A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum My first bonsai-pic

My first bonsai, just had to have it on two counts since I am Italian :wink: and it is a "Lucky Bean" plant. (I need all the luck and fortune I can get ). I know this is not a fava bean though. (italian tradition).

Take a look!



The plant appears larger than what it really is. The bonsai measures 11 inches from top of plant to bottom. The cool thing about this plant is it's growing out of the bean with bean open and exposed! Had never heard of or seen anything like it til now.

Does anyone have suggestions as to how to care for this plant? It does say on the instruction card to keep soil moist at all times and to water once a week, drain excess water. I was wondering how often to pinch back stems etc. etc as I want to keep this plant as small as I can.

Floweringchild, I'm a little confused by what you say! What is the connection with Italy? Bonsai started in China (about 700 years ago) and then moved to Japan!

Hi starfish,
Here's the connection, for me anyway. Fava beans are considered "lucky beans" in the italian tradition, hence, the words lucky bean, a personal thing obviously. Get it?

At any rate, are there people here who are in to bonsai? How often should I pinch back etc. etc? Thanks

Um , no, I dont! But I did have a look around and found this site, which looks to have answers to everyhing that you ask:

www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/

But I wish you luck - I tried to grow a bonsai in my office a couple years back but it only lasted a few weeks before turning into a collection of randomly assembled dead twigs (and that's why I cant offer any good advice from my own experiences!!)

starfish,
You don't have to get it. Thanks for the bonsai linc. Looks like good info there. Do you remember the type of plant you had in bonsai form?

Are there others who grow bonsai plants or have an interest in them? Let's get some discussion rolling on the subject.

Floweringchild - My sadly deceased bonsai, which I got from a specialist centre, was a Serissa, which I think is also known as 'Tree of a Thousand Stars', because it has tiny little white flowers all year round. It wasnt much bigger than my hand. It's subtropical (i think), and didnt really appreciate the airconditioning in my office.

I do love the look of them though and I hope you get some fresh comments and tips from people that are able to grow them successfully. I do know that this is a specialist field that has its own range of miniature tools, wires, soils, fertilisers, pastes and sealants.

starfish,
I googled "serissa" to find out more info, and, it's a starting point for info here for beginner Bonsai people.

http://www.bonsaisite.com/serissa.html

Thanks for the info! Hope you try bonsai again.


My "lucky bean" bonsai is doing remarkably well since it has new growth, and I'm thrilled!




I would still like to know how much and how often to pinch back and in what areas.

Do we have any Bonsai people out there?

Hi,I Bonsai everything,I have jade plants that are 7years old and only 4ins tall,I grow them in old hermit crab shells.I also grow well the list is to long,but to grow a good Bonsai you need a plant that can take a root cutting.To keep your plant small you need to trim the roots as well as the top.Jade plants are good to start with because they like to be root bound.Don't repot just trim the roots and change the soil,beans tend to grow fast so you will have to do this about every other month or so.

littlelizzard,
I would love to see pics of your bonsais. They sound lovely. Your information will be quite helpful to me with my little lucky bean bonsai. I did notice the plant slips out of the pot quite easily so that should make for easy trimming of roots. I'll snip off tops as well I would guess at the same time I'm trimming the roots?

Thanks again littlelizard!

Are there others who are into bonsai plants? We'd love to hear about it!

I don't know anything about bonsai, but here's some info about your plant in natural form.
http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/castanospermum-australe.html

I also have a seed for a royal pontanii tree. It's tropical and fast growing. I wonder if it would work for a bonsai. I'll have to see about getting the right spelling. I'm excited now.

I'll try to post some today if I can.I don't have many now because many were gifts during the holidays.But I do have a Bonsai crown of thorns and a jade plant thats only 2ins tall.I also took a wisteria vine that my mother gave me as a house warming gift and wove the vines together and they grew like a tree trunk.So now I have a wisteria tree.I keep it at about 5ft so I can prune the top easier.

Hello,Flowerchild if you are really interested in doing a Bonsai you should try house plants first.They grow faster than tree bonsais and with trees they die mostly from lack of water because of short roots and shallow pots they dry on very fast.Also tree Bonsais need to go though season changes and yes this mean they have to go doment in the winter and they will loose there leaves after all they are trees.Here are some great beginer plants to try Jade plants are the best to start with you can see new growth easly and pinch out the shape you want,keep in a shallow pot root trim is minimal for these plants.Herbs are also good,rosemary,small fir trees,holly(is a slow grower).Bonsai means tray gardening,so you want the most shallow dish,most Bonsais grow from about 2in tall to2ft tall dependingon the plant type.Now when your ready for trees it gets a little more difficult because they do need to winter and it can take years to see a finished product.

This is a 4yr old crown of thorns.





This is another bonsai it is suppose to get over 9ft tall but I keep it tiny.

This is a jade plant I have been working on for a little while it will be at its best in about 2yrs.

Is it possible to make a bonsai out of any plant? or only certain species can be done?

I try alot of different house plants because they grow faster than trees.Bulbs are not a good choice.The best to start with is jade they grow fast you don't have to trim the roots very often,and you can easily see where the branches are going so you have more control over the shape.But try what ever you you have experience with you will have better luck with a plant you are use to.Don't rush it will take time to see a beautiful result.

Today I bought a bonsai that looks like a tiny Christmas tree. I wish the tag said what the tree is. There are only maintenance instructions.
It's in a typical bonsai pot with very small black pebbles. Seems very healthy and since it's some kind of fir tree and this is California, it won't go dormant.
It's a beauty-it even has tiny brown nubs at the tips of the branches, and I'm hoping that means teeny pine cones.

That sounds cute.Just make sure it gets plenty of water,the roots are so short it will dry out very fast.And does it have an ever green smell or an herb sent?Some times people use herbs like rosemary to make bonsais just to skip the dormant stage.Plus herbs are hearty and grow fast make for faster results.

No, it's not rosemary-I've grown that for years.
It smells like a Christmas tree. And looks like one.
I think it's a Japanese fir or pine-it has those same brown nubs at the ends of the branches. After closer examination, I don't think they'll form pine cones.
But this tiny tree is the most unique bonsai I've ever seen. EXACTLY like a Christmas tree. What a marvelous find !

Thats great you don't have to worry about the winter rest period.

From what I Googled I think it's a Scotch pine.
But the nurseryman at the garden center said it's a birdnest Alberta spruce.
All I know for sure is that it's a conifer.

Herbs are another plant to Bonsai.Most people grow herbs so they also make good starters for first timers.The best ones I started with were Sassafras,Coffee,Witch hazel,Barberry and Geraniums.They grow fast ,so if you want quick results herb are a good choice.

Hi Everyone
I've got around 70 Bonsai at the moment and have just joined the site
Hopefully get more involved with the forums as the year progresses
Cheers

We want to see all your Bonsai.....
Welcome to our pod..........

I am from Pennsylvania.
dodge

welcome Tink!!

margaret pell, thanks for the live linc. Interesting tree I have there, hmmm.

Okay TK, you probably are speaking of Royal Poinciana, I've been wanting one of those for a while now.
Here's a live linc for you.

http://mgonline.com/royalp.html

If you have some of those seeds to spare, I'd be most appreciative!

littlelizard,
you are so very knowledgeable about bonsai and for that, I thank you. Thanks for posting your pics, I really like your jade. Will have to take notes on your info! Thanks again.

Hi Deborah L, :)
How is your birdnest Alerta spruce doing? I'm going to google it to see what it looks like. Sure hope it made it, you were so thrilled about it last year.

Tink, wow! 70 Bonsai, that is sooo cool. Where on earth do you keep them? Tell us more please.

For anyone who is interested in how "my first bonsai" is doing, here is the latest pic. (took this a.m.)


Interestingly enough, sometime last year, the plant began to smell. Then, the beans that were at the bottom just dried up. But, the little guy is still holding on.

Now I have a little lagniappe, check out this pic.



Not sure if its offspring of the plant. Littlelizard, anyone?

How do I care for a bonsai plant? How much do I water it? when and what do i feed it with when and how should i prune it to keep it small?
Im asking these questions for my great grandma, she just got hers the other day.

And does anyone know what was wrong with the site the other day? it wouldnt open

My your worried>>>>>>>
I will answer one.. The site was broke down.. No one got on.
We all got the same page.........eek..

Some one else will answer Bonsai......I cant.

Type in Bonsai in the Google search box that will find answers.
Tell greatgranny congradulations on her Bonsai.. Now I will go check and find answers.

TRust me........No one else does..
b

http://www.bonsaigardener.org/

Read this site........I know nothing .......Kennyso is chinese, maybe he knows.

b

ok thanks

Hi toposh,
What kind of bonsai did you great grandma get? Can you show us a pic?
We are attempting to get as much info as possible here at A Gardener's Forum regarding bonsai.

Does anyone know the little plant that has started beneath my bonsai? Refer to my pic above.

lucky bean plant "(Castanospermum australe) should be kept in a small pot until the soil dries out in 3 days or less. Provide lots of bright indirect light with a few hours of early or late day direct sun. Allow the top inch of soil to dry to the touch and then water it thoroughly. Fertilize it sparingly at half strength when it is growing vigorously. It prefers temps in the 60-80 degree range.

The bean or nut that it grows from is very toxic so keep it away from pets and small children."

Stephanie~ This ^is all the info I could find on it. When I read the thread title I was expecting to see "bonsai's" as those full plants trained to be miniatures in a shallow flat container so then I got curious as to what yours is and started searching,,

I have a fica rooting to use in a "Bonsai"planter,, matter of fact it's probably ready to be planted,, Uhhhhhhhh I'd better go do that now while it's on my mind!

my great grandma has a ficus bonsai, no i do not have a pic she lives in indiana and im in florida i only see her once a year maybe :( but when i do i usauly stay with her for a month so thats good, but ill have her take a pic and send it

Okay I have placed my starters in the Bonsai planter,, one has just the fica in it, it will eventually be trained to arch over somewhat and remain delicate and thin, I have already pinched off some newer limbs and will wire a couple of them to train to grow all on one side of the plant. the other one I planted a varigated jade in the corner and will train the fica behind it to grow fuller and arch over the entire planter, at least that is what I have envisioned in my head I'm guesstimating that by the end of this spring I should be well on my way if all goes well. Keeping in mind this is my first time at this but I've been reading a lot and taking notes sooo we'll see,, most of you know I like experimenting with new things,, I'll always take on a challenge!

So Stephanie,, the trick to keep them small is to pinch back where you don't want growth, :wink:

toposh, keep us posted regarding your grandma's bonsai ficus. Hopefully you can pass along some tips you learned regarding the subject. Good luck!

Hi Diane,
Thanks for the added info.

I am so glad you are taking on a new challenge in bonsai. That is great! Your ideas on formation of your bonsai plants sound good as well. Great pics! Thanks for joining in. Okay now, do keep us posted as often as you like! Good going girl!

Hi Everyone
The general rule for a Bonsai is any species of TREE or SHRUB with a "WOODY" stem.
Hence, the vast majority of Bonsai live outdoors.
I am unfamiliar with some of your pics but anything that has a soft or "fleshy" stem, trunk or branch structure are not Bonsai.
I have around 20 different species of tree but can post some Larch pics soon.

Hi Tink! I put the variegated jade in mine for visual effect,, the ficus will have a woody stock as it matures,, I'd love seeing some pictures of your bonsai!!

Awww all the bonsai that you all show are so beautiful. I really wish I have the green thumb to grow any kind of bonsai. Guess I am more a green thumb of looking at people's bonsai and admiring their. =)

Great pics everyone.