-
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:37 am
- Location: Warwickshire, UK
Completely new to bonsai - help!
Halo~
I was given a bonsai growing kit for Xmas by a friend. It contains 3 kinds of seeds: Umbrela Pine (Pinus pinea), Colorado Blue Fir (Picea pungens 'Glauca'), and Common Spruce (Picea abies).
I've always been good at getting plants to grow and stay alive. I don't know how, as I don't really have any experience at gardening (I just go with my instincts).
I'm a bit lost on how, when, and where to start this project, though. I live in a dorm room with a Northeast facing window, that doesn't get much sun, and can get quite chilly if the heating isn't on. I have a Venus Flytrap on the windowsill that seems to be doing fine.
I would really appreciate some advice on the matter.\
Thanks
Toni
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 4659
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:58 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC
Hey Toni,
Well.... I would start by planting the seeds as per the instructions in your kit. You will want to plant the seeds in a soil that has been sterilized for the best results as seeds tend to be prone to disease but, once you trees have grown a bit, transfer them to an unsterilized medium.
The trees that you have will not do well in your dorm room and should definately not be placed in the window. They would grow best outside in a sheltered area.
For now, as you get your trees going, it would probably be best to purchase a grow light and use that for your lighting (if your heart is set on trying to grow these guys in your dorm). Place the trees in an area of your room that recieves a somewhat average temperature. Wild temperature swings will not be healthy for your trees.
Once they have grown to suitable height (about half a foot or so) place them outside on a patio or similar location (their are lots of patios by the dorms at my University) during the day and take them in at night. This is termed "Hardening them off."
Do this for about a month and then move your trees outside (I'm sure that you will be able to find a nook or cranny where no one will steal your trees) and allow them to grow there.
Only water when the soil starts to dry out or you will get fungal problems with your roots or you may even drown your trees. Once they start to get bushy and have a few branches, send us another note and we can talk about what sort of styles you may want. Check out the libraries around you and read every bonsai book that you can find. Pretty soon, you'll be a theoretical expert.
Lot's of information on the main website here as well. Check out all the styles that Scott has posted.
Well.... I would start by planting the seeds as per the instructions in your kit. You will want to plant the seeds in a soil that has been sterilized for the best results as seeds tend to be prone to disease but, once you trees have grown a bit, transfer them to an unsterilized medium.
The trees that you have will not do well in your dorm room and should definately not be placed in the window. They would grow best outside in a sheltered area.
For now, as you get your trees going, it would probably be best to purchase a grow light and use that for your lighting (if your heart is set on trying to grow these guys in your dorm). Place the trees in an area of your room that recieves a somewhat average temperature. Wild temperature swings will not be healthy for your trees.
Once they have grown to suitable height (about half a foot or so) place them outside on a patio or similar location (their are lots of patios by the dorms at my University) during the day and take them in at night. This is termed "Hardening them off."
Do this for about a month and then move your trees outside (I'm sure that you will be able to find a nook or cranny where no one will steal your trees) and allow them to grow there.
Only water when the soil starts to dry out or you will get fungal problems with your roots or you may even drown your trees. Once they start to get bushy and have a few branches, send us another note and we can talk about what sort of styles you may want. Check out the libraries around you and read every bonsai book that you can find. Pretty soon, you'll be a theoretical expert.
Lot's of information on the main website here as well. Check out all the styles that Scott has posted.
-
- Mod
- Posts: 7491
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
- Location: Colchester, CT
-
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:37 am
- Location: Warwickshire, UK
Thank you for your advice.
I think I may wait until I go home for the summer at the end of May. That way they can stay outside in the garden, and the weather won't be as wet or cold. We tend to get rather large amounts of rain here in the winter, along with gales.
That will also give me some time to d some research.
Toni
I think I may wait until I go home for the summer at the end of May. That way they can stay outside in the garden, and the weather won't be as wet or cold. We tend to get rather large amounts of rain here in the winter, along with gales.
That will also give me some time to d some research.
Toni
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 4659
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:58 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC