Bonsai Tree help? Does anyone know how to take care of one? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

IckUber · 09-04-2003, 03:06 PM

Well i just bought this pre-potted bonsia tree from Supertarget, and i thought it would be cool for my dorm room. Some of the stems are brownish, but i bought the tree like that (all they had were like that) So i am afraid im not taking care of it right. So if anyone knows any tips on how to take care of it, like, watering, sun, temp, trimming, potting. Thanks.

here are some pictures.

theguyondacouch · 09-04-2003, 03:14 PM

I have no respest for your googling abilities

http://www.bonsaisite.com/mainten1.html

IckUber · 09-04-2003, 03:19 PM

Well, ive been there! Im no google dummy. But all of these pages are dumb and floosy. I want to commuicate, more than just read.

skier · 09-04-2003, 03:49 PM

there is a whole forum dedicated to bonzai.

http://www.bonsaisite.com/forum.html

I'm sure they can provide you with high quality help.

IckUber · 09-04-2003, 05:12 PM

Urarg. You guys are harsh. Just wanted to talk to someone.

Booboo · 09-04-2003, 09:53 PM

Water it a lot.. thats about it=P but I mean a lot.. you need to practically submerge it in a tub of water once a week for a certain amout of time.. but yea look into it a bit more.. dont want to be responsible for any dead lil tree's.. =) I used to have one but I was kinda young and didn't water it enough. didn't last long

Lebell · 09-04-2003, 10:34 PM

Ditto the water...A LOT.

Bonsai are HARD to grow. I managed to kill mine in about a month even though I was religious in taking care of it.

I still don't know what I did wrong.

If you're really interested, I would suggest hooking up with a local bonsai society if you can locate one. Otherwise, get into that discussion group online.

Good luck!

twan5 · 09-05-2003, 06:22 AM

I agree with the watering part... submerge up to the bottom of the trunk in a sink of water every 2 weeks or so.

ALSO - and this is a huge one - the tree that you bought is a juniper, just like the shrubs that are used to landscape, and is meant to be grown OUTSIDE. if you wanted the tree to stay inside, you should have bought an indoor bonzai tree. There is a difference.

Do plenty of research, and dont be discouraged if it dies, remember, its just a juniper and you can probably pick another one up for $15 when that one dies!

IckUber · 09-05-2003, 07:00 AM

Well it had a little tag on it saying that it was indoor. But all the tags said that. Either way thanks for the tips. Oh and if i submerge it in water, every 2 weeks, how long should i keep it under water? Thanks.

twan5 · 09-05-2003, 07:24 AM

yeah, I really hate it when they put tags on items like that. I bought a book from the local book store on bonzai, and they had a good list of trees meant for outdoor growing and indoor growing.

As far as watering, I'd say, since its meant to be outside, that during the summer you'll want to water maybe once a week, submerged for about 10-15 minutes. Then in the fall and spring, less frequently. If you do choose to keep it outside, it would probably be a good idea to bring it in on extremely cold days.

just my 2 cents...

IckUber · 09-05-2003, 09:00 AM

Ok thanks for the tip, i have been watering it just like any other plant, just spraying down the tree, then making sure plenty of water gets to he base.

I guess if i submerge once a week, do i need to water it daily like i have been doing as well?

Oh and if you know, what is the benifet of submerging, what does it accomplish?

Ripsaw · 09-05-2003, 10:43 AM

I've had a few of these. Don't be surprised if it doesn't last the week. They are quite fickle. One I watered a little bit. One I watered a lot. One I kept outside. No luck. Now I just grow rosemary. Tastes better too.

IckUber · 09-05-2003, 11:17 AM

If this plant doesnt work out, if anyone has any suggestions for a plant that can survive in a dorm room window.

theguyondacouch · 09-05-2003, 11:41 AM

cactus

Hard8s · 09-06-2003, 08:27 PM

A dead one!!

IckUber · 09-09-2003, 06:01 PM

noooo.....Oh well, ill tell you guys if it dies. Maybe we can have an online TFP funeral....

JK. Thanks for all the possitive help.

BuddyHawks · 09-10-2003, 08:33 PM

Didn't Shredder from the Turtles cartoon have a precious bonsai tree?

rider6061 · 09-11-2003, 10:41 AM

I've had two of these...Killed both with Google advice. This particular on is better outside and hard to keep alive indoors. Best of luck...I know I haven't been much of a help!

IckUber · 09-11-2003, 11:12 AM

Its alright thanks for the input.

MacGnG · 09-12-2003, 04:02 PM

from watching the karate kid, i think how you cut it doesnt really matter unless u wanna follow a specific thingy. i wanna get a bonsai tree goin just so i have a plant in my room. are they expensive, i think i saw a starter kit at like barnes and noble, it came with a book, one of those yuppie things

IckUber · 09-14-2003, 01:27 PM

I got mine at SuperTarget for 15 dollars.

slant eyes · 09-15-2003, 06:03 PM

i had one before and it soon became infested with little spiders. i guess some momma spider laid the eggs in it and it was infested like crazy. i sprayed it down with some raid and the bonsai tree just started to wither away until it finally died. so my advice, don't spray it with raid. and water it lots, and keep it away from pregnant spider mommas

IckUber · 09-16-2003, 12:40 PM

Haha, ew spiders, thats no good at all. Thanks for the raid advice.

dragonhawk · 09-18-2003, 11:09 AM

Make sure it gets a lot of sunlight.

Trim is sparingly, but keep the dead leaves off.

And baby spiders do suck, because you can't kill them all and they grow up. Now we have cobwebs everywhere and still can't find all of the spiders. (They hatched in a palm tree we HAD inside)

Oh, and the tree will need some type of plant food once in a while.

Mael · 09-21-2003, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MacGnG
from watching the karate kid, i think how you cut it doesnt really matter unless u wanna follow a specific thingy. i wanna get a bonsai tree goin just so i have a plant in my room. are they expensive, i think i saw a starter kit at like barnes and noble, it came with a book, one of those yuppie things

i want a venus fly trap for my room.

Mephisto2 · 09-22-2003, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IckUber
Urarg. You guys are harsh. Just wanted to talk to someone.

I have to agree here.

What is TFP if not a forum to meet, discuss and debate issues and interests?

Those of you who simply insult someone for asking a question should jump ship and leave TFP yourselves.

Sheesh....

With regards to the topic in question, I too recently bought a Bonsai very similiar to this one. I was told by an elderly Japanese man that it needed to be watered every few days in winter and EVERY DAY in summer. He also said not to bring it indoors (or for a day or so maximum).

Other than that, he said nothing much else was required. Very minor pruning one a year at most.

Good luck! I think Bonsai look cool...

Mr Mephisto

IckUber · 09-24-2003, 01:13 PM

Thanks Mephisto. Anways, so far is hasnt died yet.....some of the limbs are slighly brown, but there is still 90% green, so im sure im in the clear. Ive been watering heavy every day, and its getting plenty of sunlight, so i hope the best for it. Thanks for everyone input.

MacGnG · 11-19-2003, 04:05 PM

i just got two from a nursery near me!

Weeping Barbados Cherry, and Texas Ebony

saltfish · 11-19-2003, 05:13 PM

I've grown/killed several of these, try to find out:

If your Juniper needs Acidic or Alkali water, your tap water may be incompatible. (also, sometimes Chlorine can be bad for some bonsais)
Keep it out of drafts.
Make sure that it gets plenty of sunlight, but not TOO much DIRECT sunlight.
Is your plant in an organic medium, or glued stones? You may need to give it nitrogen fertilizer once every two weeks. An OTT light (compact flouro) may help with supplemental light.

Overwatering, WILL kill a plant, the more water that stays in the pot, the less oxygen can get to the roots. Yes plants MAKE oxygen, but they NEED oxygen at the roots for osmotic transfer of nutrients and such.

Just remember, nothing good will happen fast with anything that grows!!!

-SF

gonadman · 11-19-2003, 09:31 PM

Kill it now and save yourself the agony of watching a slow death!

Seriously, good luck- I've always loved them but how do they always return my love? By dying!!!

MacGnG · 11-22-2003, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by saltfish
Just remember, nothing good will happen fast with anything that grows!!!

yeah true, thanks for the tips. i fixed the picture of my bonsai i watered them and read up on some specifics about them, just gotta watch em grow now

basmoq · 12-04-2003, 08:30 PM

I'm with the flytrap guy, and for that matter, they had some awsome one's at SuperTarget last month, only they were the pitcher trap kind. Unfortunately I didn't get one before they sold out, and now they stopped carrying them. Does anyone know where to get that sorta thing without ordering it online. I don't get out to shop much due to finals coming up.

thingstodo · 12-07-2003, 04:21 PM

All this advice was great! I've been wanting to get one for some time but didn't know what to do or which books were decent on the subject. A little cut and paste of all this info will really go a long way - plus the good links.

Thanks!

09-04-2003, 03:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Bonsai Tree help? Does anyone know how to take care of one? Well i just bought this pre-potted bonsia tree from Supertarget, and i thought it would be cool for my dorm room. Some of the stems are brownish, but i bought the tree like that (all they had were like that) So i am afraid im not taking care of it right. So if anyone knows any tips on how to take care of it, like, watering, sun, temp, trimming, potting. Thanks. here are some pictures. Last edited by IckUber; 09-04-2003 at 03:18 PM..

09-04-2003, 03:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
theguyondacouch salmon? Location: Outside Providence	I have no respest for your googling abilities http://www.bonsaisite.com/mainten1.html __________________ "Lick my frozen metal ass!"

09-04-2003, 03:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Well, ive been there! Im no google dummy. But all of these pages are dumb and floosy. I want to commuicate, more than just read. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-04-2003, 03:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
skier Rawr! Location: Edmontania	there is a whole forum dedicated to bonzai. http://www.bonsaisite.com/forum.html I'm sure they can provide you with high quality help. Last edited by skier; 11-23-2003 at 01:41 PM..

09-04-2003, 05:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Urarg. You guys are harsh. Just wanted to talk to someone. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-04-2003, 09:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Booboo Insane	Water it a lot.. thats about it=P but I mean a lot.. you need to practically submerge it in a tub of water once a week for a certain amout of time.. but yea look into it a bit more.. dont want to be responsible for any dead lil tree's.. =) I used to have one but I was kinda young and didn't water it enough. didn't last long __________________ "Your life is yours to live, go out and live it" - Richard Rahl

09-04-2003, 10:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	Ditto the water...A LOT. Bonsai are HARD to grow. I managed to kill mine in about a month even though I was religious in taking care of it. I still don't know what I did wrong. If you're really interested, I would suggest hooking up with a local bonsai society if you can locate one. Otherwise, get into that discussion group online. Good luck! __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!

09-05-2003, 06:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
twan5 Crazy	I agree with the watering part... submerge up to the bottom of the trunk in a sink of water every 2 weeks or so. ALSO - and this is a huge one - the tree that you bought is a juniper, just like the shrubs that are used to landscape, and is meant to be grown OUTSIDE. if you wanted the tree to stay inside, you should have bought an indoor bonzai tree. There is a difference. Do plenty of research, and dont be discouraged if it dies, remember, its just a juniper and you can probably pick another one up for $15 when that one dies!

09-05-2003, 07:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Well it had a little tag on it saying that it was indoor. But all the tags said that. Either way thanks for the tips. Oh and if i submerge it in water, every 2 weeks, how long should i keep it under water? Thanks. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-05-2003, 07:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
twan5 Crazy	yeah, I really hate it when they put tags on items like that. I bought a book from the local book store on bonzai, and they had a good list of trees meant for outdoor growing and indoor growing. As far as watering, I'd say, since its meant to be outside, that during the summer you'll want to water maybe once a week, submerged for about 10-15 minutes. Then in the fall and spring, less frequently. If you do choose to keep it outside, it would probably be a good idea to bring it in on extremely cold days. just my 2 cents...

09-05-2003, 09:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Ok thanks for the tip, i have been watering it just like any other plant, just spraying down the tree, then making sure plenty of water gets to he base. I guess if i submerge once a week, do i need to water it daily like i have been doing as well? Oh and if you know, what is the benifet of submerging, what does it accomplish? __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-05-2003, 10:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	I've had a few of these. Don't be surprised if it doesn't last the week. They are quite fickle. One I watered a little bit. One I watered a lot. One I kept outside. No luck. Now I just grow rosemary. Tastes better too. __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

09-05-2003, 11:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	If this plant doesnt work out, if anyone has any suggestions for a plant that can survive in a dorm room window. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-05-2003, 11:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
theguyondacouch salmon? Location: Outside Providence	cactus __________________ "Lick my frozen metal ass!"

09-06-2003, 08:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
Hard8s Addict Location: Wherever I am!	A dead one!! __________________ If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face!

09-09-2003, 06:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	noooo.....Oh well, ill tell you guys if it dies. Maybe we can have an online TFP funeral.... JK. Thanks for all the possitive help. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-10-2003, 08:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
BuddyHawks Swashbuckling Location: Iowa...sometimes	Didn't Shredder from the Turtles cartoon have a precious bonsai tree? __________________ Watch More TV

09-11-2003, 10:41 AM	#18 (permalink)
rider6061 Crazy Location: oklahoma	I've had two of these...Killed both with Google advice. This particular on is better outside and hard to keep alive indoors. Best of luck...I know I haven't been much of a help! __________________ Is This Thing On?

09-11-2003, 11:12 AM	#19 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Its alright thanks for the input. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-12-2003, 04:02 PM	#20 (permalink)
MacGnG Know Where!	from watching the karate kid, i think how you cut it doesnt really matter unless u wanna follow a specific thingy. i wanna get a bonsai tree goin just so i have a plant in my room. are they expensive, i think i saw a starter kit at like barnes and noble, it came with a book, one of those yuppie things

09-14-2003, 01:27 PM	#21 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	I got mine at SuperTarget for 15 dollars. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-15-2003, 06:03 PM	#22 (permalink)
slant eyes Psycho Location: cali	i had one before and it soon became infested with little spiders. i guess some momma spider laid the eggs in it and it was infested like crazy. i sprayed it down with some raid and the bonsai tree just started to wither away until it finally died. so my advice, don't spray it with raid. and water it lots, and keep it away from pregnant spider mommas __________________ no man or woman is worth your tears - and the one who is, won't make you cry question authority, don't ask why, just do it!

09-16-2003, 12:40 PM	#23 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Haha, ew spiders, thats no good at all. Thanks for the raid advice. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

09-18-2003, 11:09 AM	#24 (permalink)
dragonhawk Psycho Location: In Games.	Make sure it gets a lot of sunlight. Trim is sparingly, but keep the dead leaves off. And baby spiders do suck, because you can't kill them all and they grow up. Now we have cobwebs everywhere and still can't find all of the spiders. (They hatched in a palm tree we HAD inside) Oh, and the tree will need some type of plant food once in a while. __________________ ---------------------------------------------- "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

09-24-2003, 01:13 PM	#27 (permalink)
IckUber Funran Location: Norman, OK	Thanks Mephisto. Anways, so far is hasnt died yet.....some of the limbs are slighly brown, but there is still 90% green, so im sure im in the clear. Ive been watering heavy every day, and its getting plenty of sunlight, so i hope the best for it. Thanks for everyone input. __________________ How much is y'all Piolkles?

11-19-2003, 04:05 PM	#28 (permalink)
MacGnG Know Where!	i just got two from a nursery near me! Weeping Barbados Cherry, and Texas Ebony Last edited by MacGnG; 11-22-2003 at 09:37 PM..

11-19-2003, 05:13 PM	#29 (permalink)
saltfish !?!No hay pantalones!?! Location: Indian-no-place	I've grown/killed several of these, try to find out: If your Juniper needs Acidic or Alkali water, your tap water may be incompatible. (also, sometimes Chlorine can be bad for some bonsais) Keep it out of drafts. Make sure that it gets plenty of sunlight, but not TOO much DIRECT sunlight. Is your plant in an organic medium, or glued stones? You may need to give it nitrogen fertilizer once every two weeks. An OTT light (compact flouro) may help with supplemental light. Overwatering, WILL kill a plant, the more water that stays in the pot, the less oxygen can get to the roots. Yes plants MAKE oxygen, but they NEED oxygen at the roots for osmotic transfer of nutrients and such. Just remember, nothing good will happen fast with anything that grows!!! -SF

11-19-2003, 09:31 PM	#30 (permalink)
gonadman Psycho Location: Philly	Kill it now and save yourself the agony of watching a slow death! Seriously, good luck- I've always loved them but how do they always return my love? By dying!!! __________________ For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length. And there I travel, looking, looking, ...breathlessly. -Carlos Castaneda

12-04-2003, 08:30 PM	#32 (permalink)
basmoq It's a girly girl! Location: OH, USA	I'm with the flytrap guy, and for that matter, they had some awsome one's at SuperTarget last month, only they were the pitcher trap kind. Unfortunately I didn't get one before they sold out, and now they stopped carrying them. Does anyone know where to get that sorta thing without ordering it online. I don't get out to shop much due to finals coming up.

12-07-2003, 04:21 PM	#33 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	All this advice was great! I've been wanting to get one for some time but didn't know what to do or which books were decent on the subject. A little cut and paste of all this info will really go a long way - plus the good links. Thanks! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.