Bonsai info needed

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Anyway, I purchased a grow kit from a school fundraiser which contained seed for a Bonsai Tree. I planted 6..only one sprouted, but it is a strong little trooper. I have zero knowledge of Bonsai and I didn't see anything on the site for info. Please does anyone have any feedback on this all info would be helpful. Thank you

There is a Bonsai forum here, you need to be a subscriber to participate though but if you decide you're really interested in the subject maybe that would be worthwhile to look into. Bonsai is a growing technique that can be applied to many different types of plants, and in order to give yours the best long term care you'll need to know what kind of tree it is--was there any kind of name on the seed packet? For now though the care of most newly germinated seedlings is similar--the important thing is to make sure they have enough light and don't rot. Assuming you have it indoors now, ideally you'd have a light source for it, many people use plain old fluorescent shop lights, just make sure that the light is no more than a couple inches above the top of the seedling. If the seedling doesn't get enough light then it'll tend to get really leggy and floppy. And make sure you watch the watering--it's very easy to overwater seedlings at this stage so make sure you're letting the potting mix dry out a bit in between waterings (although don't let it get completely dry, that's not good either)

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunatley there was nothing on the lable except Bonsai. So this will be an experiment all around. Basic seedling care I have a good handle on and light isn't an issue. So I guess I have to wait and see what it is going to grow up to be. Thanks again.

Once the seedling gets a little bigger you can post a picture of it here and someone will probably have some ideas of what it might be.

I got a grow your own bonsai for Christmas. My little book says put it outside in partial sun for 1 month and then move into direct sunlight for 2-6 (I'm sorry I dont remember how long) months. Then I think maybe bring back inside? - The book is only 6 bullet points until it grows so I can't help much.

It depends on the type of seeds used. Most bonsai trees are outdoor plants (i.e. outdoor trees) so they need to be outside for some of the time and in winter it is ideal if they get a cool period/dormancy period to loose their leaves like they would in the wild. I did go on a bonsai forum about a year ago to ask for help as I was going to buy one and I didn't even get ONE reply. You can do a search on google at Bonsai care and it tells you bits and bobs about how to care for them and what to do.

I hope I helped at meast.

I have recently set up a website about bonsai for complete beginners, at www.bonsaibonsaitree.com It should show you the basics of caring for a bonsai and how it differs from growing an average plant. Growing a plant in a small container does not make it a bonsai, and it will inevitably become pot bound. Bonsai cannot be grown directly from seed, they need to be grown in open ground for several years before being pruned and root pruned to fit a small pot, otherwise they cannot mature.

For details on how much light/water they need you really need to know the species. Harry Tomlinson's guide to bonsai has a species specific guide to all the most common varieties used for bonsai

I agree that Bonsai is an art form, requiring pruning of roots and branches as well as training for form, but it's always fun to plant seeds and watch them grow! So, whatever type of little tree you end up with, enjoy!

I'm sure these grow kits are a novelty type item since it was sold for a school fundraiser. I googled Bonsai Grow Kits just to see what would come up. Found this:

http://www.jonsteen.com/prostores/servlet/Search?category=Grow+Kits

http://www.ecowise.com/product_info.php?products_id=780

Basically you need to let the seedling grow to the desired width (i.e. the trunk) and then you can start trimming and pruning the roots as needed.