I am new at bonsai growing, any tips??

[thewhistler07]

Hi, yesterday I bought a Bonsai Tree Garden Kit: Blue Colorado Spruce Tree. It is a kit to grow bonsai from seed, and it sounds fairly tedious. I have never attempted anything of the sort, so I hope to do it well, (and without killing the trees). Any advice is welcome! here's a link to the kit: https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=27104&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=1226&iSubCat=1250&iProductID=27104

[ynot]

TW,
I don't grow seeds myself but...

Since you are growing from seed you will have a long time to research.

You might start reading these two pages: https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html [Notice the links at the top of this page also.]
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm

These two pages will give you plenty of info to soak up

Also Please do check this thread and the links within it for literally hundreds of pictures of bonsai that may provide you with inspiration.:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3343

I hope you return to that one over and over again.

Enjoy

ynot

[thewhistler07]

Thank you for all of the helpful info. I'm really excited!!

[ynot]

Thank you for all of the helpful info. I'm really excited!!

Ok, I hope you get inspired. Keep us posted


ynot

EDIT: Good point below Gnome, I missed that little section about the tedium potential due to my intense hatred of sideways scrolling...

[Gnome]

Whistler,

it sounds fairly tedious.

Indeed, this is a very long term project, with much time spent doing nothing at all.

I do start seeds and when I do I always start as many as I possibly can. There are many obstacles, mishaps and maladies that can befall a seedling on its way to becoming a full sized tree. The more you start with the better odds you have of being successful with a few.

In all honesty starting from seeds is a poor way to begin your adventure into bonsai. Not saying to chuck them, I enjoy propagating seeds, but perhaps another approach can be taken as well. You can purchase a "finished" tree, pre-bonsai or nursery stock. You can also look around your neighborhood for overgrown shrubs that are being removed. Many time these "urbandori" can be obtained for free or perhaps just a little effort to help out.

Actually the shortest, relatively speaking, route to bonsai is to collect something that already has a trunk and some structure to it.

Oh, welcome to The Helpful Gardener, and stop back to let us know how it is going.

Norm