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Re: Bonsai


>Hello list-people!
>
>Are Bonsai trees difficult to grow, I have heard that they are, please
>could you let me know how difficult, and how to overcome the
>difficulties?
>

I keep Bonsai trees.  To answer your question, yes they are difficult, and
no they aren't.  Where most  beginners have problems with bonsai, is that
they grow the plants under the wrong conditions.  Outdoor plants (pines,
maples, birches) need to be grown outdoors.  Tropical plants can be grown
in the house (Ficus is a good example), but may be grown outside in the
summer (I am in Zone 5).  Decide where you want to grow bonsai, and what
your growing conditions are (Winter temperatures are often more important
than summer temperatures...many need a cold period).  Then check one of the
many good books for beginners, and find some plants that fit your
conditions.  Make several choices because many of the species are hard to
find.  I suggest starting with something common and one that is listed as
easy.  If it is a species you have never kept before, you might just try to
grow one for awhile as a normal pot plant before you keep one as a bonsai
(I have been keeping bonsai for about 20 years and I still prefer to just
grow one as a plant if it is something I have never kept before.  This way
I can "feel out" its likes and dislikes.)

Many of the bosai, especially the Japanese styles, are planted in extremely
shallow pots and in a very porous media.  Unless you have a gardener to
water every couple of hours for you, or routinely use drip irrigation, it
might be better to use the Chinese style pots that are deeper and roomier.
I water once a day, and that's all I'm willing to water.  Most bonsai need
to be repotted regularly.  Both the branches and the roots must be pruned.

If you really like to look of bonsai and can grow plants in general, there
is no reason not to give them a try!

Carie Nixon, Central Illinios, Zone 5
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