I have had a number of people ask me if we have a local bonsai club in the area. I know some cities have these clubs, where bonsai lovers meet and discuss techniques and anything else of interest to them. The questions prompted me to investigate my local scene to see if we have a club here. Sure enough, we do.

It turns out there is an organization called ‘Bonsai Club International’ that keeps a record of bonsai clubs around the world.  After visiting their site, I can’t determine if it is a comprehensive list, a list of only Bonsai Club International members, or if is even up to date.  That would require a little research, so I’ll just assume that any worthwhile bonsai club is on the list.  My local site is there, plus another one in the state that I didn’t know about either.

How interesting that there is such a community out there of people sharing in their passion of bonsai.  I started out thinking I would pretty much be on my own, maybe with the help of a few books.  I suppose I was wrong – if I need help, there are more than enough sources for me to look to.  On that note, I have made it a point to attend a local club meeting and join if I see fit.

If there is anyone out there who has had experience with these clubs, positive or negative, let me know.  I’d like to get some idea of what they have to offer the casual bonsai lover like me and so many others out there.

Tags: Bonsai Clubs International, bonsai clubs, bonsai

That day, I didn’t have the time to make a trip to the nursery where I get my stuff from, so I looked around the garage and found some Miracle-Gro potting soil that I had used for another tree a few months before. The other tree, a ficus benjamina, had done so well in it that I decided that my ficus retusa probably would too. I was so right.

Maybe it is the fertilizer, or maybe it’s just the fact that the soil is new, but it has been doing great since. I suppose it could also be the root trimming, or the time of year, but I have a feeling that whatever is in that Miracle-Gro is perfect for my trees. The ficus benjamina, which is not a bonsai tree, is still getting new growth every day practically. The ficus retusa bonsai is starting to act the same way, with tons of new growth every week or so.

I hope no bonsai purist would look down on me for doing this, but all I know is that it is working. I now will fully endorse Miracle-Gro potting soil and I’ll probably use it on all my bonsai trees from now on into the future.

Tags: bonsai, Miracle-Gro, bonsai care, fertilizer, ficus bonsai

One thing I’ve learned to be very careful about as I take care of my ficus bonsai is watering too soon before the soil has dried out sufficiently.  I learned this lesson the hard way recently with a natal plum bonsai.

I bought a a natal plum for my mom for Mother’s Day because she has an amazing skill with plants but she had never got into bonsai.  What I didn’t take into account was the very limited amount of sunlight that my mom’s house received.  She has no western facing windows large enough to accomodate a bonsai tree, so she put it in front of a big eastern facing window.  I told her to water it about as much as I watered my ficus bonsai, not thinking that her sunlight conditions were not equal to mine.  So maybe it’s kind of my fault.

The leaves on the plum started to yellow so I became worried and took the tree home to my place where it would get enough sunlight.  I think it must have been too late by that point because I started watering it a little more because it was getting more sunlight.  The leaves slowly dried out and eventually the tree died.

My conclusion is that first, I plated it in a pot that was too tall and didn’t drain well enough.  I don’t think the soil every fully dried out between watering.  Or at least enough to warrant another watering.  I looked at the roots after I had given up the plant and saw that all of them had rotted out.  That would explain why they weren’t getting any nutrients to the leaves.

It was a disappointing experience, but I learned to be more careful with my trees.  I really liked the natal plum bonsai and I plan on getting another one in the future.  But I’ll plant it shallow and water wisely.

Tags: bonsai, natal plum bonsai, bonsai care

My bonsai journey began just under two years ago.  It was Valentine’s Day and I wanted to buy my wife something special.  I was looking for something that would stick around longer than flowers – something that would be around for many years to come.  I decided to try a local cactus and exotic plants shop that had just opened, and lo and behold, I stumbled upon my first bonsai tree.

There were some amazing specimens in this shop, most of which were way beyond my skill level to maintain.  The salesman recommended that I buy a ficus retusa bonsai tree because they are forgiving trees and easy for beginners.  I picked one with some character, watched the salesman re-pot it for me, and I was off.

I had no idea at the time how addicting bonsai would become.  As I began to care for it, I grew more and more attached to it.  It’s got to the point where when I think of moving out of our current place, I can’t help but single out the houses that have southwest facing windows because I want plenty of sun for the little guy.  My wife rolls her eyes at this, but I just can’t help it.  I never thought I would become so concerned for dropping leaves, discoloration, and whatever else affects the ficus.  But I have to admit that it’s fun.

Time permitting of course, I would like to grow my hobby with many different kinds of trees in the years to come.  I really like natal plum bonsai trees, junipers, and others, but what I would really like to get for my next one is a Japanese maple.  Those are some of my favorites of all tree varieties.

So I think I’ll have fun with this blog.  I created it not because I am an expert, but because I would like to share what I learn.  I know what it’s like having to look for information online about bonsai, so I’m confident that many of you will find my informational posts useful.  I might make more of an effort to write about ficus bonsai, but I’ll write plenty about all the other type of bonsai trees that interest me too.  I hope you come back often and find something of use to you.

To success with your bonsai trees!

Tags:bonsai,ficus bonsai,bonsai tree,Japanese bonsai,juniper bonsai