STARTER BONSAI
The following is a list of bonsai species that are hardy trees and beginner friendly.
EVERGREEN(retains its leaves all year)
Chinese Juniper - Juniperus chinensis. Hardy Evergreen. Numerous cultivars of juniper exist. This is the most common tree sold as mall bonsai (mallsai). Immature, needle foliage is deep green and prickly to the touch. The juniper is very hardy. However, imported specimens are often greenhouse grown and allowed to outgrow their containers to minimize shipping weight. Trees may appear healthy but rocks and soil are "glued in place." If you do purchase a juniper mallsai, remove the rocks and glue from the surface of the tree. It is probably already in desperate need of repotting and trimming. It is very tolerant of underwatering, in fact to a fault: the foliage will remain green long after it has died! Healthy growth is lush and turgid.
DECIDUOUS(drops its leaves in winter)
Trident Maple- Acer burgerianium. (Deciduous) This tree gets its common name from its three-lobed leaves. A robust grower. Root ball should not be allowed to freeze solid in winter, but it does need outdoor exposure.
SEMI-DECIDUOUS
Chinese Elm- Ulmus parviflora. (Semi-deciduous). Native to China, this tree adapts to its climate and may shed its leaves in winter or retain them depending on the depth of the cold and length of exposure. Some folks have tossed out a Chinese Elm only to find it budding out in spring on the compost pile. Watering requirement is about average. Limbs are brittle and somewhat difficult to wire, best trained by directional pruning. Can be grown indoors with success if lighting is adequate.
INDOOR
Benjamin Fig- Ficus benjamina . (Tropical) The same plant often seen grown as an indoor plant. Needs medium light. Tolerant of erratic watering. May shed all leaves in periods of shock, but will regrow. Wounds are slow to heal and exude white latex sap. One of the few trees suitable for bonsai that is perfectly adapted for indoor growth.
Serissa - Serissa foetida. Also called "Tree of a Thousand Stars". Appreciated for its tiny leaves and white flowers, gets its name from the pungent smell when plucked or pruned. Can be grown indoors in good light.
NOTE: Having listed a few particularly well-behaved species, It is appropriate to mention some trees that are considered challenging because of their growth requirements or seasonal care. Among these groups are largely the conifers like Pine and Spruce. These trees make beautiful bonsai, but we suggest that the beginner take at least one season to learn the care of the hardier species, and particularly to master the skills of watering and repotting before attempting these. Most growers will wish to explore the world of Satsuki Azalea after they have a few trees in their collection, but we point out to the rank beginner that the azaleas are absolutely intolerant of drying out.
Retrieved from "http://wiki.bonsaitalk.com/index.php/Starter_bonsai"
No comments:
Post a Comment