There are 3 places you can start on your bonsai journey. 

1. Grow from seed
2. Buy a already started bonsai
3. Buy a plant and make it into a bonsai

Each one of these has its' benefits and disadvantages which will be explained in the next sections. Before we start lets explore what makes a plant a bonsai.

Where do I start?

There are many aspects that go into making a good bonsai. Technically any plant can be made into a bonsai. However,  there are certain characteristics that make a bonsai more appealing. 

1. Nebari
2. Ramification
3. Tapering Trunk

When you are able to combine all these features you can achieve a beautiful piece of art. Now what do these even mean?

Nebari:  a Japanese word that describes the flaring roots that can be seen on the surface. (This is done to give the appearance of age in the trunk of the tree.)

Ramification:  Branch development that displays a couple key features: taper and fine tips. These related features are critical when it comes to developing quality bonsai.

Tapering Trunk: A trunk should be thicker at its base than at the top of the tree.

So lets get the journey started!

What makes a bonsai?

Growing from seed offers quite a challenging start to your bonsai journey but can also have some great benefits. The amount of joy starting something from scratch brings about a immense sort of accomplishment. You will also be there to shape the bonsai from the very start giving you creative jourisdiction over what you want the end product to look like. Some challenges involve the fact that germination of some species of plants require tremendous accuaracy. The failure rate of sprouting can also be quite disheartening to someone just getting started. Think of all the trees in the wild and how many seeds they distribute. How many of them become full trees? Another reason growing from seed can be daunting is just the sheer amount of time it takes. It can be discouraging when starting a new hobby not seeing results. Bonsai is a hobby of patience but sometimes it can dissapointing not seeing results. It is due to these reasons I would not recommend a new person to the hobby start by growing from seed.

***Pros***

1. High sense of accomplishment
2. Able to shape the characteristics you find appealing from the start
3. Relatively cheap price


***Cons***

1. High failure rate
2. Difficult to germinate
3. Time

Growing from seed

A relatively cheap option in the space that also saves you some time is buying already started bonsai. Some design decisions have already been made for you if you pick this option. When selecting it is imortant to keep in mind the characteristics that make a bonsai sought after. Keep in mind the shape of the trunk, nebari and ramification. These features can be improved through some techniques that will be explored later in this course. As a new person to the space you might not know what a healthy bonsai looks like. You can also get stuck with a "stick in the pot bonsai" which we will go over later as a pitfall. This option is also pretty easily accessable as many websites offer premade bonsai. Some beginner friendly bonsai species include:

***Ficus***

Among the most popular trees for Bonsai beginners, Ficus is hardy and tolerant of lower light. It's also less meticulous about watering than other bonsai varieties. One of its best qualities: aerial, or above-ground, roots 

***Chinese Elm***

Since the shape of the trunk on elms are set already, the focus is more on the development of pad layers and secondary branches.

***Bougainvillea***

This evergreen shrub grows quickly and tolerates pruning well, making it a good beginner option. It also erupts in magenta, purple, yellow, or red flowers, adding a super showy dynamic to your bonsai art.

***Norway Spruce***

 Norway Spruce can be an awesome specimen to use for bonsai. Norway Spruce bonsai care is simple when compared with some other species and therefore they are great for both beginners and more experienced hobbyists

Buy already started bonsai

Go to your local department store, nursery, garden center, or plant store and you may be able to find some amazing bonsai material. When you have the material right in front of you we can use your new found knowledge to pick a winner. Make sure to dig down in the dirt and find if the trunk has a reverse taper. Uunfortunately, if ordering online you don't get a choice. Using this method you can get a thick trunk and really save time. Buying a shrub or tree from a department store can also be a little frightening becuase you get a lot substance. These plants were not grown to be bonsai. A lot of decisions will have to be made when pruning and cutting to give it a bonsai shape. 

***Pros***

1. Big saver of time
2. Thicker trunk
3. Accessable (take your pick)

***Cons***

1. Paralysis by analysis
2. Not grown to be bonsai
3. Lots of cutting

Buy a plant and make it into a bonsai

Chapter 1

Now that you have your bonsai, it is time to take care of that sucker. Lets go over some basic care techniques and then we will go over some common pitfalls.

1. Potting and Soil
2. Watering
3. Pruning
4. Pitfalls

General Care

Potting a bonsai comes with its own challenges and decisions. When picking a pot it is important to keep drainage in mind. Most bonsai plants like well draining soil which is only made possible if it has a pot that drains. A wide trunk is a desirable trait in bonsai, which is more easily achieved if a bonsai is planted in the ground or in a larger pot. Be careful to keep in mind the climate you live in as some bonsai trees cannot withstand frost. A mistake that most early bonsai enthusiast can make is putting a immature bonsai into a small bonsai pot and expecting large growth. A Bonsai pot should only be used once you are satisfied with the trunk size and growth of your bonsai (we will explore some specific pitfalls later in the course). early spring is usually the best time to repot but make sure to research your particular bonsai for specifics.

The soil should be a well draining. Well draining soil can either be bought from a store with labels such as "bonsai soil" or made by mixing substrate with potting soil. 50% substrate 50% potting soil is not a bad place to start.

Potting and Soil

I find the best way to water bonsai is by completely submerging the plant in water. I literally dunk the whole plant and pot into water and then let the water drain out. This gets rid of any air pockets in the soil that can kill roots and makes sure the whole plant is getting hydrated. Knowing when to water is an aquired skill depending on type of soil, sunlight, and species of plant. A good rule of thumb is if you compress the soil with your finter 1 inch and it is dry it might be time to water. 

Watering

Pruning is essential to get the energy directed toward the places you want. Pruning refers to cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth.  It can be scary to make your first cuts into bonsai.  Just know that cutting back growth is essential in bonsai.  Pruning increases ramification which increases the density to your growth giving your tree a fuller look.  To prevent too much sap from leaking out and to help the cuts heal, apply bonsai wound paste to the bruises It’s important to water the bonsai deeply after pruning to encourage new growth. Make sure to fully saturate the soil the first time you water the tree after pruning. So get this clippers and cut back large growth. 

Pruning

Lets go over some common pitfalls. 

1.  Putting your bonsai into to small a pot
2. "Stick in a pot"
3.  Indoor bonsai

To start, as iterated earlier in these sections, putting your bonsai into a small decorative pot inhibits growth. This is desired when you have a bonsai that is the shape, size, and orientation that you want it at. If you expect to grow a thick big bonsai in a shallow pot you are going to have a rough time my friend. The best growth is done planting into the ground and giving it time.

I've brought up "stick in a pot" a couple times throughout. This refers to most premade bonsai at entry levels. It is exactly what the name suggests, it looks like a stick you put into a pot. Most are propagations that have a very thin trunk. This is how I got started and there is nothing wrong with starting this way. As you get deeper into the hobby, having a bonsai with more tree like features becomes more desireable and sought after. 

Most bonsai need to be outside. I know I know. You want to have a nice place in your living room that display a beautiful bonsai tree. The truth is very small amount of species of bonsai can survive indoor. Ficus, tropical, and jade are some examples of trees that can thrive indoors. Junipers and pines need a cold shock and period of dormancy to survive. Keep this in mind when picking out a bonsai.

You have your juniper bonsai 

Pitfalls

Chapter 2

The man, the myth, the legend. Herons bonsai is one of the most knowledable people in the space. I highly encourage you follow and watch videos by them on Youtube. 

https://www.youtube.com/@HeronsBonsaiUK

I would also highly recommend Bonsai Empire on Youtube for continued education.

https://www.youtube.com/@bonsaiempire

In no way am I affiliated with either of these channels just personal recommendations. 


Some Experts in the Space

Thank you all for completing the course. I hope this has helped get some knowledge out into the hobby. Now get out there and bonsai! 

Thank you!

Chapter 3

Would you like to challenge yourself by starting a new hobby? The ancient tradition of bonsai has been around for millennia. Bonsai is very much like investing in that it takes patience, knowledge and time. In this course you will learn the beginning steps to start your bonsai journey.  Lets get to $WORK.

Beginners Guide To Bonsai

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