Did you kill your first bonsai?

timi99 · Post by **timi99** » April 2nd, 2014, 4:55 pm

This is a humorous infographic I created after hearing many anecdotes about people losing their first tree.
Lets see how many actually killed their first tree.

Isitangus · Post by **Isitangus** » April 2nd, 2014, 4:58 pm

Yep-and not just one!!! But in self defence they were just starters and I wasn't into bonsai. And it was definitely a combo of undercare followed by overcare

stocaz · Post by **stocaz** » April 2nd, 2014, 5:04 pm

My first 2 trees were malsai's bought from Aldi

Both still alive although both still rubbish haha

Ray M · Post by **Ray M** » April 2nd, 2014, 5:08 pm

Hi all,
I still have the very first tree I bought when I started bonsai. It is a Juniperus Squamata Prostrata. It has gone through about three different changes and I am now training it as an semi cascade.

Regards Ray

Jason · Post by **Jason** » April 2nd, 2014, 5:25 pm

Mine is luckily (touches wood) still alive

The next two that I bought, HAVE died though.

I kind of let them go ...I really didn't like them, and couldn't see a future in them... and I could use the pots and space for better matieral.

My first one, a Shohin Juniper Procumbens, is still alive and kicking though, and well overdue for a styling

Very cool graph though! Thanks for posting

Drac0 · Post by **Drac0** » April 2nd, 2014, 5:28 pm

My first is still alive, just not a bonsai anymore

joshw · Post by **joshw** » April 2nd, 2014, 5:29 pm

I killed my first one. And one last month.

Despite the best of intentions I have a lot of bonsai blood on my hands...

rodm · Post by **rodm** » April 2nd, 2014, 6:43 pm

No still got my first. A beautiful cut leaf maple 35+ yrs old. Lost some since through weather cons, bad luck or stupidity

Cheers Rod

Naimul · Post by **Naimul** » April 2nd, 2014, 7:29 pm

i killed my two favourite trees a few months back

i blame it on smothering them with too much affection and not enough attention their actual health

DavidWilloughby · Post by **DavidWilloughby** » April 2nd, 2014, 8:04 pm

My first Bonsai is still alive, a Port Jackson Fig starter I got when I was 10 back in 1986, it has lived its life in a Bosnai pot and somehow has survived. I have killed many over the years though.

Cheers

David

EdwardH · Post by **EdwardH** » April 2nd, 2014, 8:32 pm

I killed my first bonsai, a Chinese elm. it lived for about 5 years or so however one summer I neglected to repot it and one hot day did the rest

Rory · Post by **Rory** » April 2nd, 2014, 8:40 pm

I doubt that most people will still have their first bonsai alive. Even if they are horticulturists, it is still a mammoth ask to get someone to keep their first bonsai alive. The real question should be, have you continued to learn since having your first bonsai.

Post by **kcpoole** » April 2nd, 2014, 8:59 pm

The first tree I bought and styled when I joined the school `10 years ago passed on last summer

I moved it from its normal poace on the bench, but did not check that it got sufficient watering.

My other tree that got me into Bonsai was an Oak i had grown from seed for 20 years and then styled after learning the ropes. It died from curl grub infestation

Ken

squizzy · Post by **squizzy** » April 2nd, 2014, 9:33 pm

I killed my first 10 or so I'd say. I was only about 12 and clearly a slow learner. I'm also still killing them. The saying goes" if you not killing them your not pushing the boundaries". I'm sure I read that here somewhere.

I'd like to say mine have died because I was pushing the boundaries but that would probably be a lie. Only the tough survive in my backyard I'm afraid.

Squizz

Reece · Post by **Reece** » April 3rd, 2014, 6:10 am

My first Juniper is still alive but my Mum killed my second (Azalea). She really liked it so I gave it to her...... Dead within a month. She has a few now and they are all doing fine. I think its a good lesson even though it breaks your heart.

AusBonsai