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Hello
Apr 14, 2006 13:15:31 GMT -5
Post by celticcraftress on Apr 14, 2006 13:15:31 GMT -5
Hello, I just joined, nice to meet everyone. I am completely, fresh new to Bonsai. I am also in the process of trying to develop a green thumb, as I also want to grow houseplants, flowers, and even mushrooms! As far as bonsai goes, I really want to bonsai the scots pine, as I am a complete Scotland nut. I can't really find a list of any other native Scottish trees, so i'll settle with that. It may be a widely dispersed tree, but apparently the look of the tree is unique in Scotland. ;D I also want to try the idea of bonsai'ing a blank currant bush, I know im strange. I was told the Jade or Fukien would be good beginner trees, and I plan to have them as well. That way after I get the Scots Pine and Black Currant experiments out of my system, I can focus on two trees that wont easily die on me. Then again, you never know, a scots pine and currant bush might be hardy enough to survive, and beginners luck might be on my side! I wont be able to start until I get to Scotland, but the big day is just around the corning, and once im there i'll be posting for advice and help for sure. I have loads to learn about: -fertilizing -trimming -watering -lighting -soil types Pretty much everything really.
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Hello
Apr 14, 2006 20:54:50 GMT -5
Post by Allen MacMillan on Apr 14, 2006 20:54:50 GMT -5
Welcome aboard. Any questions at all can be posted in the help forum. Thats what we are here for. Maybe while your waiting to get to go abroad, you may want to keep reading all the posts you can. We have a great group of people here and I'm sure you will feel right at home.
Allen
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Hello
Apr 15, 2006 17:05:28 GMT -5
Post by theladysabine on Apr 15, 2006 17:05:28 GMT -5
Hi there CC... Welcome to the group from me as well... I would suggest as a start that you actually consider getting the ficus or fukien tea to start with first. Pines are extremely challenging trees, technically speaking... Or at least do a lot of research before you decide. Pines in general are the pinnical of bonsai species, highly respected and admired.... but should only be attempted by the most daring newer learner or more experianced bonsai person. If you are a daring... then I have to recommend getting your hands on a copy of Bonsai Today's PINES book. It will help a lot with the learning curve. I would be happy to recommend other links and resources for you to look into. And will answer what questions I may in regards to this. If it is possible, where you are, for you to acquire a Scots pine already started as a bonsai, then you'll be set... Most standard nurserys will have scots pines that are being trained to gain maximum height as fast as possible, making them less desireable as a bonsai, as all the branching will have long intervals on the trunk until the next whorl of branches. So be cautious in your stock choices. If it is possible for you to post a photo of a potential tree you are considering, we could be of help in letting you know if it is a good choice. If you photo it, try and take a pic of front, back, sides, and base. I will leave you with the single most important rule in bonsai regarding pines.... it is the golden rule of pines in fact... Only do one major process per year. (Pot it one year, style the next... doing both at once will set the tree up for disaster.) Pines are all about patience... that is why they are not for the faint of heart. Yours most kindly, Sabine
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Hello
Apr 16, 2006 3:50:25 GMT -5
Post by celticcraftress on Apr 16, 2006 3:50:25 GMT -5
Ah I see, thanks for the pine tips! And the welcomes of course. I am planning to start with the easier species, I just want to get the scots pine out of my system by at least giving it a try. I don't expect to be successful my first try. I was actually thinking of trying to locate some scots pine seeds, and sprouting my own, that way I have the best possible start. I have a great digital camera, so I had the idea of posting pictures of my trees and getting advice on how I should be trimming them, when I should be repotting, etc. Im a complete beginner, so im hoping I can learn this way. ;D As far as I know of Scots Pines, they are suposed to be hardy, and like sandy soil. That's all I know for the moment. Still researching though, and plenty of time before the big move. I will really appreciate your help on my pine attempt, you seem to be pretty experienced with them. ;D
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Hello
Apr 16, 2006 13:32:36 GMT -5
Post by theladysabine on Apr 16, 2006 13:32:36 GMT -5
I'll say first off that my experience is still limited with pines. Each part of the year has distinct needs with pines, things you can and cannot do, as well as things you MUST do... One must go through several year cycles, to my mind, before you could breathe easy about them. But yes, I am certain I could be a help to you none the less.... I will certainly be posting different processes with the pines as the year progresses.
And let me also say, that the treatment of seedlings is distinctly different than that of more mature trees... So while I applaud anyone who decides to start with seedlings, I will myself have to get advice for care from those who have done them (or drag them over here), and make sure you get the best advice.
Pines are very hardy in climates where they can grow, it is only in our treatment of them, that the risks rise. They do enjoy quick draining soils. Pines like to be watered, but they do not like to stay wet. So mediums like crushed lava (3/8Th's minus) is a very good component to grow them in. I personally do a 60% inorganic to 40% organic mix. Which works well for where I live. Your in-organics should be sifted so that particles which are very fine (like most sand) can be sifted out. It can be anything from Akadama (very expensive fired clay in Japan) to things like perlite or pumice (very cheap as a general rule). Some people can get very creative in it and even use things like kitty litter (use the non-foo-foo kind), oil absorbents (available at auto stores [extremely cheap]), aquarium gravel (use unpolished, unpainted/dyed), pea gravel (cheap, but HEAVY), and Turface (a clay material used a lot on athletic fields). Lava sits somewhere in the middle. The thing I like about lava is that it lets most of the water pass through, but it's porous enough to retain moisture in it's lil nooks and crannies. Keeping a more even moisture content that won't sog out the tree... It's all a balance. For organic medium, I like composted pine bark. Others like peat moss. Try not to use any regular soil as it tends to be too fine. A good many of these things can be found at local nurseries and home improvement centers... And you will never regret the small investment into a set of sifting screens... it looks like a cheesecake ring, that comes with three different grades of screen inserts.
Anyways... sorry about the soil dissertation.... lol these things just have a way of happening... (big smile)
Have a great day...
Yours most kindly,
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graphyfotoz
Junior Member
Green Thumb Wannabe
Posts: 59
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Hello
Apr 16, 2006 16:41:00 GMT -5
Post by graphyfotoz on Apr 16, 2006 16:41:00 GMT -5
I'm right with ya CC! I'm about as much of a rookie as you are. I tried a Bonsai about 15yrs ago but knew nothing. Ofcourse it died! But now there is the web! WOOT! TONS of info and ability to pool other minds. What a world of technology we live in! If you can't find it on the web it don't exist. PERIOD. So welcome to my world....I'm lucky if I can keep something green for six months! Hope my luck is about to change???
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