You only need one bonsai tree to start this indoor hobby
Growing bonsai trees
as an indoor hobby is one best stress relieving activities I know of.
Learning the
Chinese or Japanese art of bonsai is
an ideal activity for anyone looking for an indoor hobby to relax
with. Select
indoor bonsai trees for decorating or outdoor bonsai as an
ornamental display trees on your patio.
Most people begin by growing a ficus tree, normally because they have been given one as a gift.
Very popular bonsai are Fukien tea trees,
these are used quite frequently in decorating, as a plant centerpieces
for kitchen and dining room tables. Junipers and boxwood trees are
best for beginners, they are easy to shape into your own unique style.
If you don't have a suitable place to grow
bonsai outdoors,
buy a tree specifically recommended
for indoors. The most popular is
Hawaiian umbrella tree which have tiny umbrella shaped
leaves or a
Brazilian rain tree which has leaves that fold up at
night, which looks very cool.
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Indoor Bonsai Catalog
This selection of trees are all "indoor bonsai" which grow well inside or outside.
If temperatures
remain above 50 degrees F.
See All Choices Here |
Generally speaking, all flowering trees require more light than non-flowering trees. Mind you the flowers last longer than cut bouquets, and the trees can bloom continually.
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Flowering Tree Catalog
The trees shown in this category are all flowering. Most are tropical or sub-tropical indoor
bonsai trees.
However, some are grown only outdoors, when making
your selection, please review the description. |
Bonsai Recommended for beginners
To start a collection of trees, many growers recommend
ficus trees and
fukien tea trees as a good choice. My choice would be a Chinese elm bonsai
or a
Hawaiian umbrella tree. They do not require
as much natural sunlight
and will do well on a desk and other poor lighting areas.
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Here you can find more information for
beginners
Make your own, start from seeds or buy one that has
been shape for you.
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As a beginner I started with a
cascading juniper bonsai, they are easy to
care for and prune. I found a Juniper bonsai from an online
nursery with the shape already started for me. This was
good starter tree for a beginner, like myself. Eventually you will want to start your
own from seed, there are several varieties of bonsai seeds
that you can start.
After awhile I became more interested in
indoor bonsai, especially flowering plants, because of the beauty of
their blossoms. I was also quite interested in feng shui and how it related to plants and trees
in the home.
Buying a Japanese bonsai tree as a beginner and learning to
shape the tree properly, was easier than I thought. The nursery that I purchased mine from had an entire selection
on trees for beginners. I am now starting to take my own cuttings
and learning how to grow my own, it was easier
than starting with seeds.I now sell my bonsai at garage sales.
Always buy, bonsai from a nursery that specializes in shipping,
growing and shaping miniature trees. Wallmart and other stores may
sell them but you won't get the quality of information about the
trees. Shipping information is a important detail when reviewing
prices.
- You can always find a tree on sale, but should be more
concerned with the quality and type of tree
you want. Just because a tree is older or classified as one of a kind, that
doesn't mean its harder to grow. Read more information
about specimen bonsai trees.
Bonsai Tree Meaning As An Art Form
Its correct to refer to bonsai as being Japanese. Bonsai is a
Japanese translation meaning "tree in a pot". When talking
about trees it has grown to be a complex art form, and like art,
certain guidelines exist. You as the artist are trying to achieve
the natural perfection of a miniature tree. They are ornamental
trees grown in a bonsai style. Always ask yourself does this plant
look like a full grown tree only in miniature. And yes the pot also
forms part of the design.
Chinese or Japanese bonsai are made (we say made because they are not naturally
shaped and it is an art form) there is a favored viewing angle. Front,
back, left and right which depends on how you have shaped the tree. This is important when displaying
specimen bonsai.
The tree should also have a few roots
showing. Proper pruning, cutting and re-potting is essential for
healthy plant development. When you buy bonsai plants and trees, notice that
there are three basic shapes - Cascade,
semi-cascade and raft style.
- Cascade and semi-cascade plants are
modeled after trees that grow over water or down the sides of
mountains. They lean over and down the side of the pot.
- Semi-cascade do not lean as far downward as a
cascade style.
- Raft style are those that are planted on their side. Straight-line and
group plantings give the illusion of a group of
trees, but are actually the branches planted on its side.
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