Wondering about where to get the best info on doing bonsai on the internet? I recently acquired a orange jasmine tree...are these good for indoor bonsai? What are good trees to start with for indoors on bonsai? I live in zone 5 so outdoor ones are out. :o)
beginner bonsai
tishrh,
My husband and I just started Bonsai a few weeks ago, but we've been reading about it for almost a year now. There is some great information here on the forum, but most of it is within other posts. It would be nice if they had a sticky here with information for beginners and links. : )
Here are two web links that I've found the most informative and that have reliable information. The first is sort of a condensed starters information and the second site (if you go to the articles list) has some very detailed information on all aspects such as soils, watering, pruning, etc.
http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics%20LearningToWalk.htm
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/bonsaip.htm
Here are some other forums specific to Bonsai that I like:
http://www.bonsainut.com/
http://www.bonsaisite.com/
I too live in Zone 5, and there are a lot of Bonsai specimens that work very well outdoors in our zone. Infact, most plants will prefer to be kept outdoors. If you really want an indoor plant, there are many of those to chose from as well, you'll just have to read up on how to keep them happy (some will need dormancy periods, etc). I just got a miniature Holly that I read is very accepting of low light levels and seems to do well indoors (although I repotted mine and put it outside). It's quickly reaching a point where you won't be able to do much starting work on a plant this year I think. But I haven't quite gotten the timing of different activities figured out yet, so I could be wrong about that.
Oh sorry, I don't know anything about Orange Jasmine specifically, but from what I have read, it seems just about anything can be a Bonsai. Bonsai is just the practice of keeping plants small by controlling growth of the roots and vegetative growth. I think the trick is learning when and how much work the plant can tolerate. That and maybe a lot of time and pampering to start with.
thanks for the links. will look into it more, I know it is alot of effort and specifics for one. Thanks again!
I've been learning bonsai techniques for 3 years now. I am partial to Bonsai4me for simple and exact learning.
And joining a group connects you to all kinds of goodies.
I have one more to add; it's a wiki from the BonsaiTalk forums (which I really liked...but the forums are down until they can get more bandwidth...dangit!).
http://wiki.bonsaitalk.com/index.php/Main_Page
Thanks for the other links above...a couple there that are new to me, and that's always good. :)