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Question: I want to grow a bonsai tree all by myself?

(Posted by: Jennica on 2010-01-19 17:44:04)

I dont want to buy a tree because where i live there arent many places that sell bonsai, and i dont really like how the bonsai for sale are looking and i want another tree altogether! anyway, i want to start it alone! i read a bit on the internet and if i;m not mistaken i need a part of a tree to start a bonsai, or am i wrong? i have in my garden a pear, avocado, tangerine, orange, pecan, guava, apple, loquat and lemon trees and some others that i dont remember and dont really consider using. i think the pear, avocado and loquat are the best looking trees so i want to use one of them, or maybe all of them. i know from my experience with gardening which is not alot that befor i put something in the soil i need to put it in water until it starts to grow roots, but i might be mistaken. i really really want to do this on my own without buying nothing but what i need to grow my trees. if you can tell me what i need to do and wat pot and soil i need to use that would be great and i would really appreciate it. please dont tell me its too hard and too much work for a beginner, i have so many trees i cant start over again and again until i can have a living beautiful tree. thank you :)

Posted by: the chief on 2010-01-19, 18:19:39

There are many ways to start a bonsai tree. taking a cutting from a tree is just the fastest way. generally you don't want to start a tree from a cutting because the roots will not form fast enough and the cutting will dry out. Use a technique called air layering. pick a branch about the size of your little finger and scrape away the bark all around the branch. then wrap the scraped area in sphagnum moss(can be purchased at lowe's or home depo for about $5) then wrap the moss in plastic wrap to seal in moisture. once roots are established from the scraped area you can cut the branch free from the tree and plant it in some soil. this will take anywhere from 1 month to 1 year. this will save around 5 years from growing the bonsai from seeds as for a pot, you can use what ever pot you like! i like the look of a shallow blue glazed pot myself. for soil i just use miracle grow remember, the most important thing is to not let your bonsai dry out.

Posted by: gone on 2010-01-19, 18:16:07

Here search.yahoo.com/ search?p= bonsai%20tree%20forum