First Bonsai

[Zander]

Howdy-do, I've never grown a bonsai before, but that's something I'd like to change.
I was reading up on some good beginner trees and the one that took my fancy was the Trident Maple. I was considering growing one of these in the Moyogi style.

Is this a good choice of beginner tree for Queensland, and would that style work well with it? If so, where could I get a sapling/seed?

[Jarrod]

Welcome to forum and to bonsai as a Hobby.

I wouldn't suggest a trident as a first tree for you up there in QLD as they need a dormant period, which you won't give it.

I would suggest a fig as they thrive up there and would be readily available.

Can you please exain the Moyogi style please?

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Zander
As I'm sure Jamie would agree up here in QLD you can't go wrong with a fig. They are easy to look after and hard to kill. I would leave maples until you have a bit more experience. You have to learn to walk before you can run


Tony

[Zander]

Oh, I just heard that Moyogi was "informal upright", that kind of zig-zaggy style:


Figs eh? Well there are plenty of those growing at uni, but do you recommend starting with a seedling or a seed? Becuase then I might actually have to go to a nursery or something. I'm just looking at some pictures of bonsai figs and they look rather attractive, so I think that's the route I will take (if you'll excuse the pun)

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Zander
Depending on where you live I would recommend visiting a bonsai nursery and getting several starter plants to play around with. Are you in Brisbane ? If so there are several nurseries on either side of the river that would be a great place to start.

[Jarrod]

Often beginers reference miyagi from the karate kid. Glad to see you have put in some research before rushing out and buying to much stuff.

You should be able to get slightly more advanced stock up there for fairly cheap prices, or some of the other club members uptjere might point you in the right direction!

[AndrewM]

Gday Zander
Welcome to the forum
A fig is a great place to start with Bonsai in QLD, there is not much you can do to kill them up here
If you are looking for a nursery check out the nursery section where you will find all the addresses for all the local nuserys in the Brisbane area.

Andrew

[Michael]

gday zander

good to see u here yes fig is the way to go my freind and if in queensland there are lots of people on this site can and will advise u jamie is up ur way( great help)
can u specifiy where u are it will help with advice from our friends
good luck on the journey


cheers mick

[Jamie]

gday Zander!

welcome to the forum, as you can see we are a friendly bunch!!

i wouldnt recommend a maple if you are any further north than the sunny coast, i have killed a few as the get exhausted from constant growing then just cark it! i yearned to keep maples up here and just couldnt get it down. i know a few that have kept them but it is a bit of a hassle.

now figs, thats what im talking about! great first tree, tough as and you really cant go wrong, if you do, you can just cut the mistake off and grow it again in 6 months! (most of the part anyways).

shannon might see this and be able to help you out with figs, thats where i get a majority of mine. they are aged and his dad who sells them is a great bloke who will look after you! but dont take all the good ones!!! i want to get back there soon!

if you have access to a club join it! i would if i was close enough to somewhere but here is a great start, and you seem to have done a little reasearch so that is good to!

one of the first things you need to learn is to keep a tree alive, and then keep it alive in a small pot. so the tree needs to be in a free draining mix, it will need to be kept outside, and in full sun. it will most likely have to be watered every day, to check that stick your finger in the potting medium (organic or in organic) about an inch in and see if it is moist, if it is getting on the dry side water it until it drains out then stop and wait a few minutes and then water it again, same way, doing it this way will help you make sure it gets a good drink. then you can think about feeding, start with a balanced fertiliser, ask the nursery that you go to or your local hardware out let that sells stuff like that, and basically follow the standard dilution rates on the packet.

other than that until we see what you get then we cant help much more!

good luck with your venture and i look forward to seeing what you do!

if you could tell us where you are exactly could help some.


jamie

[Zander]

Cheers, I'll have a look for some local nurseries and keep my eye out for a club nearby.
I'm living in South Brisbane, so it's pretty humid and hot most of the year. I've had a little bit of experience with gardening because I'm a hippie and I like planting trees, but I'm pretty much a complete novice. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know when I get myself a couple of figs!