AusBonsai

Hello everybody,
Im very new to the bonsai scene but i just got given a 6 year old serissa and a 5 year old chinese elm.
I'm very paranoid that everything i do to my trees will kill them and i cant find anything that i really understand.
i need to get some photos of them but havent got around to it yet. whats the best way i can start making them look tree like.
im not to fussed about the size of the tree but i just want them to be healthy.

Thanks, Dion

i just want them to be healthy.

Water when the mix dries out - that may mean daily, but possibly more or maybe less depending where you keep them, what size pot and what sort of potting mix they are in.
Feed every few weeks - doesn't really matter what sort of fertiliser but they will need nutrients to stay healthy.
Most bonsai are outside plants. Most will die quite quickly if you keep them inside the house.
Probably best to look for a spot where they will get morning sun and afternoon shade and where you will go past them several times each day so you remember.

At some stage you are likely to forget the water or just not give them enough and leaves will turn brown. Don't despair, soak the pot in a bucket of water immediately and with luck most will start to grow again. All of us have had trees die at some stage so don't despair if the worst happens.

Trim any shoots that get too long but don't worry too much about shape until you are confident with keeping them alive.
Best tip: Find your closest bonsai club and join up. Members are mostly very helpful and can give practical, hands on advice and assistance.

Good luck with your bonsai journey and welcome to Ausbonsai.

Hi Dion , welcome to ausbonsai . You will find it a friendly and helpful forum to be on. Follow Shibui's advice and just practice keeping them alive for now. If you've fertilized and you want to do something else but also don't want fertilize to often give your trees seasol , you can almost do that as often asyou like without hurting your trees
Peterb

there is a great bonsai club in your area. You should consider joining up.

hi Dion and welcome. Some great advice here already. When shibui say's water he means use a watering can or soft spray on your hose and water until it runs out the drain holes. If you let the root ball get too dry that will kill your bonsai. So thoroughly soak the root ball and water again before it dries out completely - simple

thanks all so much for the replys, ive been watering them wrong for the last 2 weeks i think that i need to go get a watering can tomorrow. ive been watering directly onto the roots and spraying the leaves with a water bottle. one of my trees looks like the roots are too far out of the soil. but it seems healthy enough,

If you can post some photos we can give some more specific advise, but as stated already, first thing is keeping them alive. Watering properly is something that takes time to master and is probably the first thing to get sorted. The rest will come. Joining a club, as suggested, will help learn things like wiring, styling and repotting.

Patience is something you must have with bonsai. You need to let your plants grow I between doing any work and some trees only need work once or twice a year. Having a few different plants that you can practise on so you don't overwork a couple of trees will help. And although it is great to have trees in Bonsai pots, having a few in normal nursery pots ( or as you get more confident in colanders, grow boxes and the ground) will give you better growth so more chance to practise and develop something quicker. Then it can be put in a Bonsai pot and be something to be proud of.

Most of all, enjoy the journey and never be afraid to ask questions.

Dan

I finally had the chance to take done photos but they're bad quality. these are the Chinese elm. hopefully you can tell me what I can do. Also I'm going bonsai supply shopping today. What do I need?


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First thing I would do is find a home for them outside somewhere. I am making the assumption that they live in the spot they have been photographed in.

The trees have some potential. My advice is read lots, observe lots and don't be scared to try things.

Theo


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They live outside in a green house but I was in the process of relocating for more morning sun afternoon shade. I just got some thrive and sprayed them and put them in sun as its only 20 degrees. Thanks for the reply


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All the roots above the soil are a worry, does it have any below the soil?
These roots will all die off so would remove them now.

Assuming the trees are watered properly I would have them in full sun if possible, They will be happy there so long as they are watered sufficiently.
A good soaking in the morning is what all my trees get.

Ken

Here is some more photos f the suspect trouble plant


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