New and need recomendations

Bin-Fish · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: New and need recomendations

hi.
iv never owned a bonsai before but i really like the idea of them, and i do own the odd rare plant or so and i have been looking around for a bonsai that might fit in with my lifestyle, it would preferably b able to survive inside and with not too much work (i kno that sounds bad) but i can offer it a reasonable amount of time, and also it needs to be reasonably petite. if anyone has any suggestions to to a particular species it would b greatly appreciated, ty
-Matt

keithmart · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

Hi

Welcome to the group

If you must keep a bonsai indoors, probably the best species would be one of the figs.

As a keeper of plants you will I am sure realise that ALL plants should be outside, and bonsai are no different.

Bonsai is a combination of art and horticulture, and the plants are not special species, but are normal trees that have been styled to look old and tree-like.

Stymie · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

Hi Matt and welcome.
Where are you? there's no information in your profile to help. We might be able to put you on to a local supplier.
Meanwhile, read up on bonsai as much as possible before embarking on this fascinating hobby.

Bin-Fish · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

im in the UK , not too far from nottingham if that helps, sorry i havent done anything with my profile , il get on to it now Smile

, i have looked into it alitle and have been pointed towards the Chinese elm but to be honest it looks a little over my head, but i would be prepared to try it, i also liked the look of the fig variety that a previous post pointed to, they look amazing. thankyou
-matt

yamadorinige · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

Hi matt welcome!

If you want your tree indoors I would have to agree that a fig would be your best option.
There is a world famous bonsai nursery not to far from Nottingham, Greenwood bonsai studio you might want to have a look at the online catalogue http://www.bonsai.co.uk/bonsaiaz.htm#e

mark1 · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:26 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

Hi matt.ime new to this game myself.my first tree is a chinese elm.a christmas present.having done some reading up on this tree i think this is one of the easyer trees to keep although i do keep mine outside.
i also agree nature intended trees to grow in the garden.is there no way you can do this as ime sure you will reap the rewards.
i keep mine on the patio where its visible from the kitchen window.
when spring arrives it will have a place around my koi pond.
good luck
mark

Surrey John · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:18 am Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

Matt - welcome. I, too, had a chinese elm very early on in my still short bonsai career and I can thoroughly recommend it as a tree good for a beginner - but it absolutely must be kept outdoors if it is to stay healthy. Cheers. SJ.

Bin-Fish · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

ok thankyou all, this weekend if i have chance i will look around possible places for my match, i think i will as suggested be looking for either a fig variant or that of the Chinese elm, and also i shall try and find a spot outside that could be suitable for summer periods, and will report back to you all with what happens, thanks again and all further input or tips are greatly greatly welcome thank you for the welcome and help,
-Matt

jimothy · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

hungkuen · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

if you go to greenwood bonsai, Arnold, outside Nottingham, and speak with the guys there they will be able to point you in the wright direction, Corin is very good to talk to or his brother Paul, there has been a new guy there recently that i don't know, so i will reserve my comments on him, as i have no in site into what his knowledge is. i don't think he realized i was a regular customer when i was last there, so he was a bit funny with me trying to big up the nursery to me which he didn't need to do. Anyway, i do quite often go over to greenwood bonsai and have tuition now and again with Corin, which i have found invaluable, so i do recommend the nursery, if you are close to Nottingham i recommend you pop in, they will give you good free advise.

Bin-Fish · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

rare wasn't the right word, more.."unusual" Smile

,,, mainly of the carnivorous nature, my personal favorite is the Venus fly trap or Dionaea muscipula as im told but i nurtured it back into health and it has decided to begin to flower, and has really surprised me as to its size, its flower stem is around 14 to 15cm at the moment and is still growing! (alot more than i expected from this 1) the main and oldest mouth is huge, and really deep in colour,

jimothy · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

Ah - a fellow carnivore grower. My own collection consists of:

9 Different forms of Dionaea muscipula,
10 different Nepenthes(tropical pitcher plant) species/hybrids,
Cephalotus folicularis (Australian pitcher plant)
Darlingtonia californica (Cobra lily)
a few assorted Drosera (sundews) and Pinguicula (butterworts),
and over 60 species, hybrids and forms of Sarracenia (N. American pitcher plant)

Your Dionaea's flowering at quite an unusual time - shouldn't it be dormant right about now?

Dick · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: New and need recomendations

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the forum. <