A Really Good Bonsai Plant Selection List For The Beginner Grower
There is no scarcity of plants that you can choose from to produce a bonsai. The truth is, nearly every plant that produces a woody stem could have characteristics that would make it suitable for bonsai plant growing and training.
Where will you be growing your bonsai plant? If you intend to grow and exhibit your bonsai indoors you’ll probably select from a tropical or sub-tropical plant or tree species. If growing and exhibiting outside you may want to select a winter-hardy tree,
I’ve compiled a short but very good list of plants which have been very good choices for the beginner bonsai grower, and that are also easily obtainable and commonly used:
The Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum) is usually a favorite among bonsai growers because it exhibits such remarkable colors over the summer and particularly in the fall. This particular plant is fairly sturdy and easy to care for. It is typically grown in full sunlight throughout the summer but usually requires some shelter against the worst winter weather. It does best with smaller but frequent watering, and the soil should not be allowed to dry out between watering.
Another favorite is the Chinese Juniper (Juniperus Chinensis). This coniferous juniper with dark green needle-shaped foliage is hardy and straightforward to work with. Place it in full sun during summer months but protect the needles from intense cold and frost in the winter. This plant is going to do its best when you keep the soil moist all year long. This may require you to check the moisture level in th soil frequently, especially in winter.
The Chinese Elm (Ulmus Parvifolia) is a hardy deciduous tree when kept outdoors, but it will be an evergreen if kept as an inside bonsai. The leaves are typically smaller, and that is ideal for bonsai, and are glossy and have a leathery appearance. The plant should be placed in a sunny, but wind-sheltered area during the summer, and placed indoors in a cool room with good light through the winter. The Chinese elm, just like the Chinese juniper, likes it best if the soil is constantly moist, but only in the summer and fall months. Cut back in late fall after which you can keep the soil only barely moist after the tree has dropped all of it’s leaves.
The Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina) is an extremely familiar houseplant, very frequently seen in offices as well as homes because it is comparatively low-maintenance. This is a good plant to modify as a bonsai plant, and once more is a very good choice for the beginner grower. This plant is not hardy and cannot endure cold temperatures so it ought to be kept indoors throughout the year. Be sure you keep the soil moist during the warm summer months. You may cut back in winter but never let the soil dry out completely.
This list is merely a few of the hundreds and hundreds of different choices you have to create a bonsai plant. A reputable nursery or garden center will probably be an ideal place to begin your search for your first bonsai masterpiece.
It’s not hard whatsoever to get going in the hobby of bonsai. A good, practical, step-by-step guide to bonsai gardening is essential to a beginner’s success. And I’m not talking about a picture-book that is better suited for the coffee table. I have a link on my website to what I consider to be the best practical guide, dollar for dollar, that you can find. You’ll never regret getting ionvolved in this fascinating hobby, and this book will make it super easy to get started and be successful.
