Bonsai tree - help needed
Discussion
), but it doesn't have any recommendations about watering the flaming thing. If it's a true bonsai, and not one of the fake 'indoor bonsai' variety, then what you should do is put it outside and leave it alone until spring. It's a tree, not a pot plant. It may need a light root trim in spring, but that depends on it's age and species, what tree is it anyway?
>> Edited by einion yrth on Friday 7th January 09:07
>> Edited by einion yrth on Friday 7th January 09:07
einion yrth said:
If it's a true bonsai, and not one of the fake 'indoor bonsai' variety
I think it's real, how do I tell the difference? Or is that why you asked:
einion yrth said:
what tree is it anyway?
Bu66er, I knew I should have written it down
It's listed in the book she got, so I assume it's a true bonsai. (It's shedding leaves btw, I did wonder whether it may be too hot in the house.)
Basic point is that the fact that it's been trained to be little and grow in a pot, does not necessarily make it a pot plant, if it's a tree that you could grow where you live it should be outside, if it's originally from a more 'mediterranean' sort of climate, then in an unheated greenhouse, that sort of thing. Keeping bonsai well is a long term skill (and not, I must admit, one that I'm particularly good at. I gave up keeping bonsi a few years ago when some scrote made off with mine, some of which I'd had from cuttings and were, after over a decade, just starting to take on the shapes and characteristics I was looking for.) If you or your missus decide to keep bonsai you'll need to read and inwardly digest a lot of books, and spend many years prctising, to get any good at it.
Alex said:
I managed to keep a Bonsai alive for over 10 years. The secret seems to be to water it everyday, they need a lot of water.
Sorry but you'll kill it by doing that as I've learnt to great expense by killing my mother's whilst she was abroad.
Apparently they only need to be watered once a week by submerging the plant up to the base of the trunk in boiled water which has been left to cool. Once bubbles stop rising from the earth (usually 5 mins) it's had enough water and should be drained.
They don't like direct sunlight either or frost.
>> Edited by AC79xxx on Friday 7th January 09:44
Depends greatly on what tree it is.
I have a Japanese Maple which lives outside all year, and loses it's leaves in Autumn. But I also have a Chinese Tea Tree (I think!) which lives indoors and needs water every day, even in winter.
Find out what species it is, then google the name. There are lots of forums for Bonsai trees where you can find out how to look after it. Hope this helps.
I have a Japanese Maple which lives outside all year, and loses it's leaves in Autumn. But I also have a Chinese Tea Tree (I think!) which lives indoors and needs water every day, even in winter.
Find out what species it is, then google the name. There are lots of forums for Bonsai trees where you can find out how to look after it. Hope this helps.
I used to dunk mine in water once each week, during the growing season spray it with water daily. Keep it away from direct sunlight and draughts. They also benefit from standing on a gravel tray, it stops the roots from sitting in water, overwetting the roots WILL kill it.
Taking a stab in the dark, if the Bonsai came from a non-specialist, I'd take a guess at it being a Japanese Maple.
Taking a stab in the dark, if the Bonsai came from a non-specialist, I'd take a guess at it being a Japanese Maple.
Bonsai can live for hundreds of years but every species of plant has its own special needs so there are not basic rules to follow. Try to find out about the specific tree you have.
Look here - www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/
and
www.bonsaicenter.com/Bonsaicare.htm
Look here - www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/
and
www.bonsaicenter.com/Bonsaicare.htm
chim_girl said:
Taking a stab in the dark, if the Bonsai came from a non-specialist, I'd take a guess at it being a Japanese Maple.
I know what these are, and it's not. Its got thick ovalish green leaves. It's definately mini-tree shaped with a fairly thick trunk. I've mailed the wife to see if she can remember what it is, but I may not be able to find out til this evening.
I can't remember who posted what, but thanks for the tips esp about specialist forums (I didn't think of that
) and what a f
ker getting your home grown trees pinched
mechsympathy said:
Right... It's a Lukien Tea tree (Carmona microphylla).
If that helps.
(I'll also look elsewhere on the interweb... I think I'm a bit too PH dependent)
If it dies you get get mungo in to cut it down! a bonsai lumberjack!
never met mungo so this comment is probably not very fair, i'm no giant myself
In the winter, with short daylengths, plants grow very little - hence they don't use much water (unless they're in a dry centrally-heated atmosphere). Most houseplants are killed by overwatering.
I've found that most houseplants do best if let to get almost dry, then given a good watering. If the soil/compost is very dry, the water will just run straight through it, so it looks like it's wet when it isn't. The best way to tell if a plant needs water is to pick it up - if it's featherlight, stand it in a sink for an hour or so.
I'm not sure that being stuck out in tonight's gales will do it much good though.
I've found that most houseplants do best if let to get almost dry, then given a good watering. If the soil/compost is very dry, the water will just run straight through it, so it looks like it's wet when it isn't. The best way to tell if a plant needs water is to pick it up - if it's featherlight, stand it in a sink for an hour or so.
I'm not sure that being stuck out in tonight's gales will do it much good though.
AC79xxx said:
I managed to keep a Bonsai alive for over 10 years. The secret seems to be to water it everyday, they need a lot of water.
Sorry but you'll kill it by doing that as I've learnt to great expense by killing my mother's whilst she was abroad.
Apparently they only need to be watered once a week by submerging the plant up to the base of the trunk in boiled water which has been left to cool. Once bubbles stop rising from the earth (usually 5 mins) it's had enough water and should be drained.
They don't like direct sunlight either or frost.
>> Edited by AC79xxx on Friday 7th January 09:44
You must be right, mine died after 10 years...
I think that plant is a tropical shrub/tree, which in the UK is neither an outside tree nor an indoor plant. Which is a pain.
Ideally, I would keep it in a cool, frost free conservatory, with sufficient light, but not scorching sun. In fact, during summer it may well appreciate being outside in dappled shade. If you can get it, rainwater is preferred, but as others have said, (cooled) boiled tapwater is ok. Plunging it once a week is ok, that ensures that it has water but never gets boggy.
The thing that kill most bonsai are waterlogging (tree appears to wilt, so owner gives more water, roots rot, making it wilt more) and dramatic temperature changes. Being in a hot room during the day and cold room at night will kill it in no time flat. Think of it as a beige Toyota Corolla, moderation in everything so nothing dramatic happens, and it will go on for years.
Mike
Ideally, I would keep it in a cool, frost free conservatory, with sufficient light, but not scorching sun. In fact, during summer it may well appreciate being outside in dappled shade. If you can get it, rainwater is preferred, but as others have said, (cooled) boiled tapwater is ok. Plunging it once a week is ok, that ensures that it has water but never gets boggy.
The thing that kill most bonsai are waterlogging (tree appears to wilt, so owner gives more water, roots rot, making it wilt more) and dramatic temperature changes. Being in a hot room during the day and cold room at night will kill it in no time flat. Think of it as a beige Toyota Corolla, moderation in everything so nothing dramatic happens, and it will go on for years.
Mike
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff