Got a bonsai from a friend who got it from a friend. I'm a novice gardener. Any idea what kind of tree is this?
[img]https://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae123/hadeelmamoon/070420102260.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae123/hadeelmamoon/070420102273.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae123/hadeelmamoon/070420102263.jpg[/img]
What kind of tree is this?
Last edited by Hadeel on Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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- Bonsai Nutcase
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Angela, you win the Jack Pot . I found out today that my bonsai is a Suriname cherry - Eugenia uniflora. I posted the photos with different forums. You were the only one who got it right. - (I shake your hand). After your guess, I researched and there it was. You should be proud, you just saved a tree. Appreciate your help.Bonsai Nutcase wrote:Suriname cherry?
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Yes, I thought so too when I first got it, which made me fall in love with it. I've never ever did any gardening, and when I start, I start with a bonsai.Bonsai Nutcase wrote: Very nice trunk, BTW.
I need to learn about how to deal with a bonsai, what do you think of these 2 books? Bonsai Techniques I & II by John Naka?
I, at the moment, just water it, I'm scared to do anything wrong and end up losing it. I think I should change its sand and use spaghnum moss instead. What do you think?
Any pointers will be appreciated.
Last edited by Hadeel on Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Those 2 books are the "Bibles" of the bonsai world. John Naka was one of the very best bonsai artists in the world. If you get the chance, get them both.Hadeel wrote:Yes, I thought so too when I first got it, which made me fall in love with it. I've never ever did any gardening, and when I start, I start with a bonsai.Bonsai Nutcase wrote: Very nice trunk, BTW.
I need to learn about how to deal with a bonsai, what do you think of these 2 books? Bonsai Techniques I & II by John Naka?
I, at the moment, just water it, I'm scared to do anything wrong and end up losing it. I think I should change its sand and use spaghnum moss instead. What do you think?
Any pointers will be appreciated.
I would not repot it in spaghnum moss, that will rot the roots. There is a special soil you need to use for bonsai to keep those roots healthy. I know some people have good results with sand but I have no experience with using it by itself. All mine are in a bonsai soil mix. Since you are a beginner I would recommend that you take this tree to a bonsai society meeting or a bonsai nursery so they can show you how to repot and they will give you some tips on pruning. I learned so much from attending bonsai society meetings, do you have any in your area?
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Hadeel,
[url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4139]Here[/url] is a thread that offers other choices, many of which, I feel, would be more appropriate for a beginner.
Norm
While the volumes by Naka are indeed held in great esteem in the bonsai world I am not sure they would be the best choice for you right now. I have not yet acquired these books so perhaps I am speaking out of turn here but it is my understanding that they focus more on styling than on the basic care information that would benefit a beginner. Also, these books are not exactly current and some thinking has changed greatly in the decades since they were published.I need to learn about how to deal with a bonsai, what do you think of these 2 books? Bonsai Techniques I & II by John Naka?
[url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4139]Here[/url] is a thread that offers other choices, many of which, I feel, would be more appropriate for a beginner.
Norm
Norm thanks for the thread. An extensive enormous list of books. Out of all of those, what would you choose (two or three books) for beginners?Gnome wrote: [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4139]Here[/url] is a thread that offers other choices, many of which, I feel, would be more appropriate for a beginner.
Norm
Appreciate your help.
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Angela,
Thanks for confirming my impression of the Naka books. I tried to borrow them from my local library but they were not available. Not only did they not have them but apparently no library in the entire state of Pennsylvania had them either, hard to believe.
Hadeel,
I think that 'The Bonsai Workshop' by Herb L. Gustafson would be a good first choice. Don't buy more than one volume of his though as I have found a lot of repetition in them. Another book I like is 'Bonsai Masterclass' by Peter Chan. These focus on traditional, outdoor bonsai, if you are inclined toward indoor growing the book by Paul Lesniewicz is OK. A large part of it is devoted to relatively brief species guides but if that is what you are interested in it is helpful. If Ficus is your area of interest then the book by Jerry Meislik may be a good choice although I don't have this one either.
Norm
Thanks for confirming my impression of the Naka books. I tried to borrow them from my local library but they were not available. Not only did they not have them but apparently no library in the entire state of Pennsylvania had them either, hard to believe.
Hadeel,
I think that 'The Bonsai Workshop' by Herb L. Gustafson would be a good first choice. Don't buy more than one volume of his though as I have found a lot of repetition in them. Another book I like is 'Bonsai Masterclass' by Peter Chan. These focus on traditional, outdoor bonsai, if you are inclined toward indoor growing the book by Paul Lesniewicz is OK. A large part of it is devoted to relatively brief species guides but if that is what you are interested in it is helpful. If Ficus is your area of interest then the book by Jerry Meislik may be a good choice although I don't have this one either.
Norm