this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2023
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Bonsai

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As the title says. I want to get my first Bonsai, but I cannot decide which one. What can you recommend for indoor placement? What do I need to keep in mind?

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[–] sevan 4 points 1 year ago

I agree with the ficus recommendations. The biggest challenges you have are light, humidity, and air flow. All of these can be solved, but your trees probably won't thrive inside.

[–] JollyBrancher 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm here for the answers. Based on the readings/research I've found, I still have yet to get a good feel of how to get the main trunk small thick. My fiancé has a starter set of three I'll be excited to start on!

[–] Ticanaru 2 points 1 year ago

For thick trunks the best way is to just let it grow and then cut it back once it reaches the thickness you like.

There's methods with sacrificial branches that work really well provided you happen to have a branch in the right place for one, but those also boil down to just letting it grow. Bonsai get better with age.

[–] gpupu 3 points 1 year ago

Anyone into bonsái will say the same, Bonsái are trees and should be outdoors.

Soo, if you still want to give a try, go for tropical species. Think about plants people usually have indoors, and check if they could be converted into bonsái.

I am actually growing with succes for a pair of years Azalea, Ficus and a Chinese Elm. I would strongly recommend Ficus as your first option.

[–] chiwiu 2 points 1 year ago

I'm not an expert, but the first thing I learned is that bonsais are all outdoors. It does not matter what the nursery tells you, none will develop well inside a house. Any tree will eventually die due lack of light or if surviving it won't be healthy and will definitely make the leaves bigger to get more light.

That being said if you are still fixated to ignore my advice above and try to get a tree anyway, probably a ficus is the best option as they are one of the hardiest species and it won't die if placed in interior

[–] Ticanaru 1 points 1 year ago

Ficus for sure, they're one of a handful of indoor plants that can be made into bonsai. Skip the cheapo ginsengs at Walmart and order something from a bonsai supplier or nursery though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

From what i've read, bonsai usually need to be outdoor and get some direct sunlight.

I do believe ficus is a good beginner bonsai and will be more forgiving, however!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago