Top products from r/Bonsai

We found 93 product mentions on r/Bonsai. We ranked the 334 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.

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Top comments that mention products on r/Bonsai:

u/dbtex · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Wow, what an incredible reply with so much good information! If its okay with you, I'd like to follow up in numeric bullets below:

  1. I'm a little tight on money, so now getting a fabric pot would be something I couldn't immediately do. I will keep it in the plastic for the winter, and then do you think it would be okay to repot (possibly to a fabric pot) come spring? Should I look for a pot that's larger than its current pot so it has extra room to grow?

  2. Come spring, would it be okay to do a little pruning to begin to reveal some of the trunk, etc and help promote some growth?

  3. Regarding reading, I joined the Reddit subthread, and also picked up Bonsai Workshop and have been going throw that. Any other great books you recommend?

  4. I picked up some tools already - these Shears, and this wire. I'm hoping to get some concave cutters next. Also, here's the pot I had picked up thinking that I would already be translating -- anything i can put in here for time being? haha.

  5. Allshapes Bonsai is only an hour away, so that would be a nice Sunday trip with my wife. If I picked up an indoor Tropical guy, I assume it would be okay to put him in the new pot and prune, etc right? Any certain types you recommend for this?

  6. I'm 15 minutes into that Bonsai Mirai video and I'm in love already. This is going to be really helpful, so thank you!

u/music_maker · 3 pointsr/Bonsai

This is a good start, and should keep you busy for a while. The main things I would add are long tweezers:
http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Tweezer-and-Blade-Tool/dp/B000O560FK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368835403&sr=8-1&keywords=bonsai+tweezers

I use mine all the time. The other thing you'll need is cut paste. These are the two kinds I use:

http://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Roth-6044-Bonsai-Paste/dp/B000X36W7O/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1368835488&sr=1-3&keywords=bonsai+cut+paste

http://www.amazon.com/Joebonsai-Bonsai-Pruning-Compound-Kiyonal/dp/B000NJFLHA/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1368835488&sr=1-1&keywords=bonsai+cut+paste

I use both kinds regularly, and wouldn't start a project without having both handy.

These and what you've already listed makes up most of my kit. FYI - 3.0mm wire and 3.5mm wire can be pretty useful too. If you're on a limited budget, maybe swap out the 1.0mm for 3.0 and call it a day.

A root hook is useful too, but if you're getting a tree that's already potted, you can get away without one for awhile.

Here's a free item to add to your kit - a long wooden chopstick. Super-useful for potting, helps tamp down soil into hard to reach places.

Also, if you're not planning on doing major pruning, you can easily get by with just concave cutters and some nice shears. Knob cutters are amazing, but unless you're cutting back major branches, they can be an expensive "nice shiny tool" in your toolbox.

A note on tools. You absolutely get what you pay for. I've had a set of imported japanese tools for close to 20 years that was pretty expensive at the time, but they still work almost like new. Cheaper tools generally won't last nearly that long.

EDIT: Oh yeah, you'll need a wire cutter.

u/Caponabis · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

ha "winter" you don't know winter! :) you can grow almost anything where you are.

a bonsai is a bad idea as a gift, but a bonsai book is a good idea. i got a bonsai4me book by harry harrington (www.bonsai4me.com) on my kindle, and read a lot of stuff online but this book has been suggested.

bonsai's can literally last 100's of years, some are older than Canada and Australia. the most satisfying result i get from having one is watching it grow and the transformation that occurs yearly. The downsides are, if i was to go away for 3 weeks i would need to worry about my trees, but it's possible to leave them with proper precautions. I inspect my trees daily in the summer to make sure they're watered and pest free, so there is a daily time commitment that's required, in the winter we have snow here and most of them get buried in it, i hardly see my trees from dec-feb :)

so just to recap, don't buy a tree as a gift. A good bonsai book will be an eye opener to anyone that's interested in bonsai but has never dived in. good luck!

u/70ms · 1 pointr/Bonsai

After a different LED bulb with terrible heat dissipation nearly caught on fire, I'm trying this one out:

https://smile.amazon.com/SANSI-Daylight-Spectrum-Gardening-Residential/dp/B07BRKG7X1

The spectrum seems more toward the 5000k side, but I'm pretty impressed with the spread and intensity. It actually looks like my catlin elm is sitting in its own pool of sunlight. I have a fair bit of experience with lighting for a saltwater tank & macroalgae refugium and so far I'm happy with this for the tree. The LEDs are a blend of:

Blue (400-499nm) 19.46%
Green (500-599nm) 37.70%
Red (600-699nm) 36.23%
Far Red (700-780nm) 6.61%
PPF 98.28μmol/s

Heat dissipation seems to be great as well. Hope that helps.

I'm in SoCal and feeling you on the heat - we have some cool weather right now, but summer is rearing its head. :( My garden beds have been empty for the past 3 seasons because I just cannot for the life of me keep them from drying out!

u/Ry2D2 · 3 pointsr/Bonsai

Yes, I can definitely expand on those subjects - I just didn't want to go into more detail on a subject you didn't originally ask for unless you were interested.

  1. Indoors, I imagine your temperatures are above 60 or even 70F (sorry, my Celsius knowledge is sorely inadequete - 23C?) year round. If the tree senses colder temperatures below a certain level, the tree will drop its leaves and go dormant like all the oaks or maples. If the tree is only exposed to the warmer conditions, the tree will mostly maintain its leaves throughout winter.

  2. Indoor conditions are very static compared to outdoors. There is less airflow, less temperature fluctuation, less difference between day and night cycles based on artificial light use, and generally less light in total compared to outside. Trees have evolved to grow best outdoors and although outdoor trees are more susceptible to pests and weather, we as bonsai hobbyists can monitor conditions to help our trees if their natural defenses fail or if a unseasonable storm is coming. The light, temperature, and humidity outdoors compared to indoors especially I think contribute to our bonsai growing faster and being healthier outdoors. A lot of indoor bonsai especially away from windows are less vigorous and that means they may be less tolerant to a mistake on your part of watering or may die of their own accord.
    Also, make sure any tree you keep indoors is tropical. Junipers are commonly sold to beginners as bonsai, but they are advertised by those who don't know better as indoor trees. Such species need winter dormancy or they will eventually die.

  3. Thanks for filling in your flair - I hope you will enjoy your bonsai and grow in this hobby with us!

  4. I don't know exactly how amazon works over there or if you will have the same sales as the US, but I was recommending some beginner books to someone else recently and noticed both are on sale. I highly recommend a thorough beginner book to help you with basic concepts when starting out.
    This is the book I first got when I entered bonsai many years ago - still good and sustained my interest even after some initial trees died.
    https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Survival-Manual-Tree-Tree/dp/0882668536

    I got this beginner book a while back and it also Is well written and has tons of useful basic information for your beginner journey.
    https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-DK/dp/1465419586
u/boisebear21 · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Some information on my Ginseng Ficus.

Height: 18 in. (including pot) and Width: 9-10 in.

For the upcoming 9 months, I'll be living inside of an apartment and looking to start growing my Bonsai in that environment. The main concern I have is lighting, I have no southern-facing window with the only window I have being eastern-facing. This window isn't even the biggest and I'm concerned about the health of my tree if it had to live in these conditions. However, the option for a glow lamp should hopefully solve this issue. The issue in that being I have zero clues what glow lamp is optimal for my scenario nor what exact specifications I need to look for in a glow lamp. I've down small amounts of research and found you need roughly 300 nm-800 nm spectrum but am unsure if that's actually true. If anyone could provide some guidance or insight on what I should be looking for that'd be greatly appreciated.

I've attached three glow lamps I show through amazon that seemed like viable options(my price range is $50). Also, I've included an image of my bonsai tree to hopefully give you a better understanding of what I'm dealing with.

Lamp 1

Lamp 2

Lamp 3

Ginseng Ficus Photo (This was not taken in the apartment I'll be living in, just another angle of the tree)

Thanks for reading! If you have any recommendations or lamps that have worked for you in the past I'd appreciate it if you commented those below. I'm looking for lamps that can be attached to a desk as that's where my tree will be.

u/GrampaMoses · 3 pointsr/Bonsai

Unfortunately, most store bought bonsai soil in the US is not good for growing bonsai.

There are some good options online example 1 and example 2 but after shipping it gets a little expensive.

The cheapest option is to buy bonsai components from local sources and mix it yourself but that requires a bit of research and experimentation.

Good bonsai soil has 4 properties: hold water, allow air to reach the roots, hold and release fertilizers, and give roots something to grow around/into (a component that breaks down over time is very helpful for this last part).

If you want to get more in depth, there's a great video by bonsai mirai, blog posts by Adam Lavigne, and 3 part article by Colin Lewis

If you want to keep it simpler, try one of the tried, tested, and widely used basic mixes like my two favorites. 2:1:1 of turface:pine bark:chicken grit (AKA Al's gritty mix) 1:1:1 akadama:pumice:lava rock (AKA Boone's mix) (which I'm currently testing with Napa Oil Dry (part 8822) as a substitute for the akadama)

And perhaps the simplest and cheapest option of all is to join a local bonsai club and ask if any of the senior members sell pre mixed bonsai soil.

u/jgimbuta · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Hi guys. My wife got me a Bonsai Azalea for Valentine’s Day for my new office because she knows I was always intrigued by them. I read they can be cared for indoors. Thing is, I don’t have a window, only thing is the drop ceiling with the fluorescent lights. I ordered a little full spectrum LED light with a clamp but I’m reading that they need diffused light.

​

Will this light be fine?

​

[LED light](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07C68N7PC/ref=psdcmw_14252941_t1_B07LBQYDCW)

​

Not sure I even trust it lol I can always return it, that’s why I like Amazon. They are full of knockoffs, though. For all I know it’s just a standard LED.

​

Will this be bad for the Azalea? Is it fine? If so, should I point it directly at it? Sorry I’ve never had any kind of plant.

​

I don’t even understand and how it’s going to know it’s “growing season” if I come in, have a light on for 6-8 hours, turn it off and go home year round. This is all knew to me.

​

If anyone could explain what I should do in terms of light/diffused light I would appreciate it. Thank you!

u/Treucer · 5 pointsr/Bonsai

Yea, that huge change in temperature is not going to be something it likes. Hopefully when it drops below 70 you are pulling it inside, if you are not start doing that.

You never really want to repot an unhappy plant, but sometimes if it is the only thing that would have a chance of saving it, you may need too. Is the soil indeed just standard potting soil? And there is probably a cheaper alternative to your area (many people use certain types of cat-litter or oil-spill cleaner).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akadama

That is generally something you are looking for. A non-organic rock mixture that can retain water to some extent. Lava rocks, slate, etc will work as well. These are superior as they do not condense over time and cause drainage issues. As long as you keep up with your fertilizing you will be fine (for that, you can use slow release pellets if you are not crazy about controlling it yourself).

These are the things I use:

http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Boys-Professional-Soil-Bag/dp/B002C6BQ4E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1370023315&sr=8-3&keywords=bonsai+boy+soil

http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Fertilizer-Pellets-free-Shipping-Purchase/dp/B001CZ9R1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370023308&sr=8-1&keywords=bonsai+boy

u/H2KAllDay · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Also it recently had a trunk chop that was growing straight up (from the store not me). I was wondering if I was still able to prune back branches because I read that work should not be done often to the tree. Is giving it a break my best option?

edit: another question while I'm at it. One plant I bought was from amazon, the other in the store at walmart. I feel like the soil is low quality. I would like to change it. Do you guys have ideas for top quality soil? does something like this work?

u/earthbook_yip · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Just bought it on Amazon. Used hardcover.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Japanese-Maples-Peter-Adams/dp/0881928097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425446690&sr=8-1&keywords=bonsai+with+japanese+maples
I browsed through the pages and it looks great. I'm actually going to give it to my friend. He has two 4 year old and really good looking Japanese Maples. He's my tree service buddy and basically creates actual size bonsai for a living. I'm pretty much trying to shove him into this hobby...

u/OldBronzebeard · 3 pointsr/Bonsai
  1. If you see the wires digging into the bark you can remove otherwise it will scar the trunk/branches.
  2. You don't really need many, some scissors/bonsai clippers if you want to prune and a watering can.
  3. I don't know about Jade specific, if you are passionate about the hobby you will probably buy more trees and I'm not sure how much fun you can have with a Jade. I recommend this book.
  4. Not too sure about this one, someone smarter will come along.

    My advice is to really consider other peoples suggestions, enjoy yourself, read the links in the sidebar and don't forget to water it!
u/small_trunks · 1 pointr/Bonsai

They're the biggest and best bonsai nursery in the UK. I know both sons (Corin and Paul) - great guys, their father wrote one of the best selling bonsai books ever. I had lessons from him.

www.bonsai.co.uk

u/Relovus · 1 pointr/Bonsai

It was a $5 ceramic pot from Walmart that was bigger than the one it came in. Forget what the bonsai purists say about what pot goes with what tree. Get one that you like that you think looks good with your tree. Bonsai is living art so have fun with it!

As for the soil I like to mix some Miracle Gro potting soil with either the tropical or all-purpose blend soil from tinyroots on amazon. I found the bonsai soil was too aerated by itself and the potting soil helped it retain a little moisture.

https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Tree-Soil-Purpose-Blend/dp/B007GS9ZGO

Keep in mind I haven’t even had this tree for a full season so I may not be the best advice :)

u/Albuslux · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

Love maples. Cuttings are difficult. Air Layer is easier and faster way to a specimen tree. If you control access to the parent tree, mulch under it and collect babies in the spring with a spoon after their second true leaves form. I've collected 50 at a time like this with 100% survival rate. Get Peter Adams book on bonsai with maples. He has lots of good techniques.

u/KellyCDB · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

I don't know if this is the kind of thing you're looking for, but I just got this for my trees on my balcony. I'm using it without the cover for now, thinking I'll just put it on for a little protection in winter, I don't think it'll keep them so warm as to prevent dormancy. I zip-tied the wire shelves to the supports for extra stability, and it seems like it's going to work well. Here's what it looks like.

u/motoBonsai · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Im assuming that you are talking about an outdoors set up! Which to be honest I have not ever set up something outdoors. I have however, set up an Oasis Claber watering system for my bonsai indoors, and they have dripping heads. The plants seem to really enjoy the setup and are doing great. Here is a link if you want to see the claber oasis. http://www.amazon.com/Claber-8053-4-Programs-Automatic-Watering/dp/B000U5YFR4

u/balzackgoo · 0 pointsr/Bonsai

I'm pretty new to the whole bonsai thing myself and I found this book Bonsai 101 Essential Tips pretty helpful, it gives a ton of basic simple info and it's pretty cheap.

u/Skinny_Sapling · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Anyone have a suggestion for cut paste? Like a good price for the amount you get. The only real option I can find myself is this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000X36W7O/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Not sure if it has good value for what you pay. Thanks in advance

u/Jarfol · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

Check the links on the sidebar ->

For now I will give a couple quick answers....

-I have never done seeds, so I don't know of the best seed places.

-There are no "good indoor deciduous trees." Deciduous means that a tree loses it's leaves seasonally. You can't have a tree like that indoors because when they aren't exposed to the temp changes outside, they will just die. I will go ahead and assume you meant "I want a tree with regular leafing, not needles, etc." In that case you can't go wrong with a ficus (benjamina or microcarpa would be good).

-For materials your really jumping-the-gun. At best you might need a small pot or series of small pots for your seeds, and soil. Before the seeds pop, a fluorescent light. Then it will be another 2 years at LEAST before you need to look into bigger pots, tools, wiring, etc.

-Same goes with root pruning. You are years away from that.

-For book, you don't NEED one. I have only ever had one. Nearly all the info it contains is available in the links on the sidebar, or in several bonsai forums, but the pictures are inspiring. The author also created a smaller and cheaper book with just the general stuff.

u/kif22 · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

Depends on how big of an investment you want to make. A lot of people like HLG brand and in particular the v2, although all of their stuff is good. If you want to go cheaper, you can probably find some cheaper t5 bulbs if you already have some fixtures overhead. If you are looking for something clip on, I'm currently using a couple of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07JCLX39G?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

They seem to be doing the trick, have lots of new growth on my tropicals since bringing them under the lights. But coverage is kinda small.

u/Orphan199 · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I have a few questions...
First of all, I just bought this tree along with this fertilizer.

  • The amazon page says its fine indoors but should I keep it outside or let it get some air sometimes? I'll probably leave it by my window so it gets some sun but would a grow light work too? if so should I leave the light on it 24/7 or just a few hours such as while I sleep?

  • How much fertilizer should I put and how often?

  • How often does it need to be watered and how much water?

    Sorry if this is asking a lot, I just don't really know much but I always wanted a small bonsai. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
u/treehause · 5 pointsr/Bonsai

Buy it new and support his estate -- he was a great man that never really fiscally benefited from the artistic rigor he brought to our hobby. Not shaming, simply suggesting.

u/unimportanthero · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

I have been growing a bunch of different plants at my cubicle desk at work - which means nowhere near enough sunlight even for a spider plant - and that includes quite a few cottonwood seedlings who are all doing very well.

I use an LED grow light at home and and the office desk that does a lot for plants.

>Bulb: https://www.amazon.com/SANSI-Daylight-Spectrum-Sunlight-Greenhouse/dp/B07BRKG7X1/
>
>Lamp: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HX2EVPS/

It is a full spectrum light that is in the same range as natural sunlight. It has been perfect for me, every plant I have put under it has started putting out new growth almost right away and bends toward it just like they do with the sun. (Which is how I am getting interesting curves in my seedlings.)

You do need to keep the lamp about 16 to 18 inches from the plant to get the full amount of light for it though, but it will not put off any amount of heat worth worrying about.

u/staypuff626 · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

+1 for neem oil.

Even if you don't have spider mites, you can and should spray your trees every week or two with a diluted neem oil mixture (water+neem oil+a drop or two of dish soap and shake).

Spray both the top and underside of the leaves as well as the trunk/soil. It will keep the leaves healthy and shiny and help prevent future invasions from an array of pests.

u/kthehun89 · 1 pointr/Bonsai

if you like maples, may I suggest Peter Adams' quintessential work on maples in bonsai. THE best book on working with maples. Couldn't recommend it enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Japanese-Maples-Peter-Adams/dp/0881928097

u/evmibo · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

Plant them in the ground if possible. Wait at least 2 full growth seasons. Read this in the meantime.

If you can't plant them in the ground get them into some better draining soil, and a pot like an anderson flat. If you're serious, I'd also seriously consider purchasing Peter Adam's book on Japanese Maples.

u/Glarmj · 1 pointr/Bonsai

If you really can't put it outside, I'd place it in the sunniest part of the room and install something like this above it https://www.amazon.com/SANSI-Daylight-Spectrum-Ceramic-Vegetative/dp/B07BRKG7X1

u/IndigoNigel · 3 pointsr/Bonsai

Using some 18-6-9 slow release pellets that i got on Amazon:

Slow Release Bonsai Fertilizer Pellets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CZ9R1A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_bKIczbER532GX

I'm sure there's more economical options out there but i felt good about this stuff for my first go around.

u/mybigleftnut · 1 pointr/Bonsai

It's outdoors under my balcony so no direct sun for the most part.

I put my finger in and wait to water until the soil is dryish which is usually every other day.

I have this fertilizer that i mixed with a gallon of water according to the instructions. I usually use that water once a week. Don't have an balanced NPK though.

Thanks for the help btw.

u/RedSolution · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I have a copy of Bonsai 101 Essential Tips by Harry Tomlinson. It outlines the basics of bonsai in a quick and easy to digest manner. It will definitely get you started on your journey. That combined with some research into the types of trees your using should be more than enough to begin.

u/BountyBoard · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

Personally, I think the lower growth isn't gonna be worth the energy to keep. I would focus things on the middle and top sections, maybe just trim off most of the current growth to force some budding in those sparse areas. Up to you though. Sick starter though!

Feed it this: Bonsai Food ... two times a month after a good watering.

u/Albinoman109 · 5 pointsr/Bonsai

I have those exact same lights. They work great for my tropicals and my girlfriends house plants.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C68N7PC/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_g4xODbHR7604Z

u/spentuh · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Just updated the flair, thank you for the heads up can't believe i missed that.

Here's some photos of the Ficus and my setup. (the window is always open and north facing, just closed for the photos)

https://imgur.com/a/wOTyHy9

I also bought a cheap grow light from amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PYFTHMW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

u/forg0t · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Oh I meant to drill the holes into the ceramic and just repot it into there without the plastic pot. I just moved it outdoors under a partially shaded area with only the plastic pot, since it has drainage holes.

I have this soil already, from a failed previous bonsai :(. I saw people talking highly about it here so Ill just use it for this one and hope for the best.

u/kiraella · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

No I got this set [here] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IEH6IW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) along with this because I'm a cook and I like my blades sharp.

Edit: The broom is the most useless thing in existence but everything else is really nice.

u/brian15co · 3 pointsr/Bonsai

Extremely interested. I am preparing for my first winter here in colorado.

I am looking at the following

u/deffor · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

Inb4 the Peter Adams book that I've ordered, not yet read - http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Japanese-Maples-Peter-Adams/dp/0881928097

Heard good stuff about this one!

u/peterler0ux · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Peter Adams’ Bonsai with Japanese Maples has really good information

u/Aculanub · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Looking for a decent tool set of some kind for my wedding registry.

My question is do I go for a couple small stainless pieces?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E1CJJA

Or should I go for one of the larger sets of carbon steel?

http://www.amazon.com/Stanwood-Bonsai-Tool-10-Piece-Carbon/dp/B000IEJ4A0/


Or should I just say screw it and just put down 1 nice set of shears?

u/jgustavo85 · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

When I started to buy "real bonsai tools" [this was my first set] (http://www.amazon.com/Stanwood-Bonsai-Tool-10-Piece-Carbon/dp/B000IEJ4A0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382618173&sr=8-2&keywords=bonsai+tools).

Some of them still works. Just clean them after your work, and use WD-40 to keep them lubricated.

After a few months or a year you can start buying stainless Joshua Roth tools.

u/rblythe · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

I tried it before and the water didn't dry up be cause I had a lid on the reservoir. The problem I had was that the electronics were crap and didn't dispense the water on schedule, so the reservoir wouldn't empty. So if I try it again, I guess I'd have to find another product that actually works. Seems to me like it would be such a simple device?

This is the one I had before that was crap:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U5YFR4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What device did you buy out of interest? If its a different device I'd be interested in getting it.

u/Roman736 · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

oh god. If this was another screw up, I'm going to be pretty distraught.

I bought Hoffman Bonsai Soil Mix off amazon. The link is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00147Z8S2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

u/-music_maker- · 1 pointr/Bonsai

This is the stuff I use. The price seems to have gone up quite a bit since the last time I bought some, so maybe you can find a better price if you look around. It used to come in two colors, but that's entirely aesthetic.

u/spookeybooger · 2 pointsr/Bonsai

Should I get the pinkish grow light or the yellowish one, both 75 watts. Two small jades and a small Brazil rain tree.

LED Grow Light for Indoor Plants - Relassy 75W Sunlike Full Spectrum Plants Lights 3/6/12H Timer CREE COB Grow Lamp - Dual Head Flexible Gooseneck - 4 Dimmable Lights for House Plants https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JCLX39G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_b1DRDb09YCY2Z

u/Doritos2458 · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I bought this tree about 2 months ago in a fairly large pot, but no holes for drainage and the soil was pretty mediocre. It was too cold outside (STL) to just let it be outside, so I had it indoors near a window, and watered it regularly. I noticed at one point it was no longer actually taking up the water, and instead the soul was far too soaked. With no way to drain the pot, I went and got the pictured pot (with a hole), and repotted about 2-3 weeks ago. I have some mesh in the bottom so the soil isn’t falling out, but this is what I replaced the soil in the pot with. The original soil had a LOT of mulch chunks. When repotting, I got all the loose soil and almost all of the mulch out. There were a few hat were too entangled into the roots and I didn’t want to damage them.

Since it’s been repotted, it’s been really wet here, like reined all last week, but was mostly in the 40s. I thought it would need sun, and that’s why I had it outdoors. I’ve had it under a awning on my front porch to prevent most of the rain from getting to it, but let it get rained on for one day.

What is happening to the tree here? What can I do to save it? During repotting, I noticed a lot of the roots were turning a reddish color.

u/scumbagonamission · 3 pointsr/Bonsai

Here's the link: Grow Light Plant Lights for Indoor Plants LED Lamp Bulbs Full Spectrum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PYFTHMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_r6CRDbBFGF3PM

u/VirusesHere · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I had mealy bugs on my Powder puff and aphids on my crape myrtle. I eventually got rid of them using Sevin.

Here's the neem oil I used.

Dyna-Gro NEM-008 Neem Oil, 8 Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012BGXVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_apa_i_vONSDb4QGQJ3G

u/gangst · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Interesting...so would mixing lava rock with some organic soil work based on that link? Perhaps mixing this lava rock with this pre-made mixture?

u/jackholexxxx · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I use one of these. Not sure what is available where you are.

u/MD_bonsai · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Long internodes are common after a hard chop, because there are fewer buds that can receive the tree's energy from the roots. You're many years away from having to worry about ramification with these trees, though.

This is a solid book on maples that covers a lot of topics: https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Japanese-Maples-Peter-Adams/dp/0881928097

u/MetalKitteh · 1 pointr/Bonsai

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonsai-Basics-Comprehensive-Cultivation-Paperbacks/dp/0600619109/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344196648&sr=8-1

I bought three books myself, and this is by far the best one that I've read as a starter book. It's simple, explains about what a tree is on a photosynthesis etc level, but in a way that people who haven't studied biology can understand. I frequently go back to this book if I'm in doubt of small general issues.

u/starmastery · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I think it would depend on the ingredients of the particular brand. Bonsai cut paste isn't all that expensive though.

u/Phurba96 · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I'm using that same exact soil and also bought it from Amazon! I hope its not the soil. Mine would most likely die if I repot it again.

This is the soil:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GS9ZGO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

u/borntoperform · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I was given this tree, this soil, and these pellets for my birthday recently. I live 10 feet away from a window at work and the idea was to keep the tree either next to my desk or on the window sill where it will be facing the east and be in sunlight from sunrise to about 3/4pm every day.

I have no idea how to get started, absolute no idea. This is what the tree looks like.

u/MarieOMaryln · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Hi all! Back in early February I bought an Azalea bonsai from a vendor. He said it was 5 years old and in great health. He told me to never let the water pan ever be empty, give it 1-2 drops of fertilizer every month, give it filtered sunlight, and it will need re potting every 5 years. I put it in the kitchen and it was still vibrantly green and showing new growth, the pan had to be filled multiple times a day. Then something went wrong and it went wrong fast. About 3 weeks ago I gave it one drop of this fertilizer the vendor sold with the bonsai. The moss started to turn white but I know nothing on moss and thought it was just old moss dying. Then my leaves started turning brown and I just thought THAT was old leaves ending their life cycle. My husband said it was suffering because it needed to be pruned and I should've pruned it when the new growth was worming out, he used our kitchen scissors to trim it back to its original shape. It wasn't too out of shape, just new leaves sticking out wayward. I thought maybe my husband was right, the top half was still vibrant green with large leaves! The water was being sucked up still but slowly, now I go days without refilling... and this week those leaves went away.

Now my bonsai looks like this https://imgur.com/a/hval6yO

TL;DR

  • Had my bonsai for a little over 2 months and it's sick/dying

  • Seemed fine until I gave it its first fertilizing...

  • Received over six hours of sunlight, kitchen is always a moderate temperature

  • Bonsai water pan isn't draining as quickly anymore, is it too wet or just too sick?

  • Leaves went all brown, no sign of new buds

  • Moss turned white

  • Small scraps on branches show green flesh, so it's not totally dead yet

    Pics again, sorry for horrible quality https://imgur.com/a/hval6yO

    This is the fertilizer I was sold https://www.amazon.com/Dyna-Gro-BON-008-Bonsai-Pro-Liquid-Plant/dp/B009277LT0

    EDIT: The dish rack isn't there everyday. I just washed dishes and decided my bonsai really needs help, no dish water or soap has gotten into its pan or onto its leaves to my knowledge.
u/ketoquestion8 · 1 pointr/Bonsai

Should I get a lamp for my ginseng tree?

Hi all. I was gifted a ginseng bonsai tree. Problem is, I get no direct sunlight in my home, and I have no outdoor space to put it. Should I get a lamp for it? If so, what type of lamp should I get? This is the top result on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Light-Lights-Indoor-Plants-Spectrum/dp/B07PYFTHMW/

u/1forthemoney · 1 pointr/Bonsai

I need some help with this one and I am really nervous. I had to cold stratify these seeds for 6 months and then got about 30% (3/10) to grow. They sprung up in April and have not grown any more leaves since, but they seem to have developed more roots and thickened up a bit (though they are very slow to do so). I have no real experience, am a complete novice, and really need some expert opinion.

The leaves are browning/scorched looking starting form their tips... some are around 50% dead now, they are indoors in a south and east facing window. It has been hot out, but I water them nightly and they are in this soil in this pot.