Bonsai Trees

[impresso]

So, I have recently moved into a reasonably nice place and while on an adventure to find plants to find plants to make it look respectable I have developed a fascination with Bonsai Trees. I would love to start growing one but I don't have any real experience with growing plants. I am hoping that somebody who has some experience could offer some insight into the matter. I live in Victoria and have a bright place that receives plenty of light primarily in the afternoon/past mid day.

Are they difficult to grow? Remember I am currently inept when it comes to plants.

What kind of bonsai would you recommend? I plan on growing it indoors so I would like something that can grow capably indoors. Again I don't have any experience with bonsai's but I do believe I am a reasonably capable person and certainly have the desire to put in the effort to learn.

For you bonsai experts are there any websites or books that you would recommend as a primary source for myself?

I am not completely adverse to growing one outdoors but I don't really know the benefits of indoor vs outdoor. Its something I somewhat expect me to put a reasonable amount of time and energy into.

Anything else I am forgetting that I should be aware of?

What kind of time commitment am I looking at here?

If I remember correctly:
There are a few types of plants you can use for Bonsai. You can pick the one that would be easiest to look after in thye climate of your apartment.
If you are starting from scratch (a basic, straight tree) it may take years for the stalks to start bending to how you want the branches to go ( you do this by using wires, kinds like braces for plants...)
You could wimp out and just get one that has been pruned and shaped into design you want and just water/feed it...

[mykalberta]

Back in my UofA days I tried the whole Bonsai tree thing, takes a damn long time.

Just buy one pre shaped and then when people ask about it, lie.

[CaramonLS]

http://www.shorty.com/bonsaikitten/index.html

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Back in my UofA days I tried the whole Bonsai tree thing, takes a damn long time.

Just buy one pre shaped and then when people ask about it, lie.

Exactly. And remember... you can grow ANYTHING in Victoria.

Originally Posted by vanisleflamesfan

Exactly. And remember... you can grow ANYTHING in Victoria.

marijuana

[redforever]

http://www.brusselsbonsai.com/care/articles/beginner_tips.shtml

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/

http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=173380&x=articles&s=lifestyle

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

My daughter used to have two bonsai plants, one was a ficus, the other was some variety of juniper. The juniper seemed to do better.

I would think that Ruth Staahl from Greengate Garden Center would be able to advise you and give you further info. Also, try the Calgary Horticultural Society.

[BuzzardsWife]

I've also always wanted a bonsai tree. Wish I would have done so when I lived on Van. Isle. I think I will look into this and try a small indoor one.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

marijuana

Ehehe, last week I was on vacation on Vancouver Island. We hired a fishing guide to take us out on the ocean (east side of the island) as we were chuggin past a decent sized island, our guide pointed to it and said "that is where BC bud comes from". I just about tucked and rolled over the side and swam for shore.

[Slava]

I've tried bonsai trees indoors about 5 times. I say tried because they seem finicky and mine all died. I think that they are cool...but man are they hard to make prosper!

[octothorp]

I've tried two and killed both of them. Basically, I don't have the routine for daily watering and care. Ficus are apparently the easiest, though they don't look that dramatic. I think the other one I had was a white cypress. Next time I try, I'll grow them from seed, because I hate the idea that over the course of a month I kill something that somebody else has been nurturing for years.

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Ehehe, last week I was on vacation on Vancouver Island. We hired a fishing guide to take us out on the ocean (east side of the island) as we were chuggin past a decent sized island, our guide pointed to it and said "that is where BC bud comes from". I just about tucked and rolled over the side and swam for shore.

He lied... it's everywhere. You can go for a hike in the woods and people grow crops of in the wild nor even in people's backyard. I think the plant is hardier than a bonsai tree. Maybe you should try growing that instead.