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#1
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
Hello,
I know zero about bonasi, other than the popular idea that they are dwarf trees. I fancy the idea of having one in my office, but know nothing about how hard they are to keep, what I need, what type is suitable, etc. I did a quick search and, of course, found huge numbers of pages. It was hard to get a good overview from any of them, and I don't know how reliable any of them are. I looked on eBay, and there were loads for sale, but again, I don't know if what they are offering is suitable or reasonable. Anyone know of a good resource for people like me? I'm not looking to become an expert (don't have time), just looking for enough info to allow me to keep one of the beautiful looking trees in my office. TIA -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#2
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
Alan Silver wrote:
Alan Silver wrote: Hello, I know zero about bonasi, other than the popular idea that they are dwarf trees. I fancy the idea of having one in my office, but know nothing about how hard they are to keep, what I need, what type is suitable, etc. In general, an office is a terrible place to keep a bonsai. The "conditioned" air (heat or cooling, but especially heat in the winter) is so dry that the trees spend all their energy trying to respire. Neither misting nor sitting your bonsai attop a shallow, gravel-filled tray of water does any appreciable good. I did a quick search and, of course, found huge numbers of pages. It was hard to get a good overview from any of them, and I don't know how reliable any of them are. I looked on eBay, and there were loads for sale, but again, I don't know if what they are offering is suitable or reasonable. We, of course, will recommend www.internetbonsaiclub.org. Click on "Knowledge Base." You will want to look at the articles on "indoor bonsai." But for growing in an office you will be pretty much limited to one of the Ficus species. I wouldn't touch an e-bay bonsai. And I don't recommend them to anyone else, either. Try one of the sponsors you will see on www.internetbonsaiclub.org. They're all reliable and you may well find one that is near wherever it is you are. Jim Lewis - - Columbus, NC - The four universal laws of ecology: Everything is connected to everything else. Everything must go somewhere. Nature knows best. There is no such thing as a free lunch. -- Barry Commoner |
#3
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
In article , Jim Lewis
writes Alan Silver wrote: Alan Silver wrote: Hello, I know zero about bonasi, other than the popular idea that they are dwarf trees. I fancy the idea of having one in my office, but know nothing about how hard they are to keep, what I need, what type is suitable, etc. In general, an office is a terrible place to keep a bonsai. The "conditioned" air (heat or cooling, but especially heat in the winter) is so dry that the trees spend all their energy trying to respire. Neither misting nor sitting your bonsai attop a shallow, gravel-filled tray of water does any appreciable good. Hmm, that probably knocks my idea on the head right at the start then. My office is 10'x7' with two computers and a laser printer. I tend to keep the window open (slightly in the winter, lots in the summer), heating at a fairly minimal level and with a fan blowing, but the air can still be quite dry sometimes. This doesn't sound like a good start does it? I have a large window, but it seems even that wouldn't be enough. I don't have the space to start hanging lights over where the bonsai would go, so I would have to rely on natural light. I am happy to put it on the windowsill, but those articles didn't seem to think even that was enough. I did a quick search and, of course, found huge numbers of pages. It was hard to get a good overview from any of them, and I don't know how reliable any of them are. I looked on eBay, and there were loads for sale, but again, I don't know if what they are offering is suitable or reasonable. We, of course, will recommend www.internetbonsaiclub.org. Nice site, thanks. I didn't come across that one when searching. Click on "Knowledge Base." You will want to look at the articles on "indoor bonsai." But for growing in an office you will be pretty much limited to one of the Ficus species. Well, given my comments above, would even any of the Ficus be suitable? If so, which do you recommend? Most of the sites I looked at (from the links on the IBC site) used common names, didn't see Ficus mentioned. What should I look for? I don't mind misting the tree once a day and standing it over a tray of water if that makes a big difference, but you seemed to think it woudln't. Bonasi are small enough to pick up and move somewhere where the stray water won't damage anything electrical. I wouldn't touch an e-bay bonsai. And I don't recommend them to anyone else, either. I wasn't going to buy one from there, I was merely pointing out how many sites/products I had found, and how little information I had found!! Try one of the sponsors you will see on www.internetbonsaiclub.org. They're all reliable and you may well find one that is near wherever it is you are. I'm in the UK. Do you know of any suitable suppliers here? Of the ones linked on the IBC site, only www.mishobonsai.com mentioned shipping internationally. hollowcreekbonsai.com didn't mention it (that I could see), and the others only shipped to the US. I noticed two more local sites (one in Northern Ireland and one in the UK) in the links section of the IBC site, but neither had good ratings. Thanks very much for the helpful reply. Any more info would be gratefully received. -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#4
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
Hello from Norway - getting rather international, aren't we? ;-)
I have this summer visited Green Lawns Bonsai Center. Great experience, nice selection and very helpful. Guess if I had some strange looks, bringing back two bonsai as hand luggage instead of the duty-free bags normally seen in the hands of Norwegians ;-D)))) Mniature regards Morten M "Alan Silver" skrev i melding ... In article , Jim Lewis writes Alan Silver wrote: Alan Silver wrote: Hello, I know zero about bonasi, other than the popular idea that they are dwarf trees. I fancy the idea of having one in my office, but know nothing about how hard they are to keep, what I need, what type is suitable, etc. In general, an office is a terrible place to keep a bonsai. The "conditioned" air (heat or cooling, but especially heat in the winter) is so dry that the trees spend all their energy trying to respire. Neither misting nor sitting your bonsai attop a shallow, gravel-filled tray of water does any appreciable good. Hmm, that probably knocks my idea on the head right at the start then. My office is 10'x7' with two computers and a laser printer. I tend to keep the window open (slightly in the winter, lots in the summer), heating at a fairly minimal level and with a fan blowing, but the air can still be quite dry sometimes. This doesn't sound like a good start does it? I have a large window, but it seems even that wouldn't be enough. I don't have the space to start hanging lights over where the bonsai would go, so I would have to rely on natural light. I am happy to put it on the windowsill, but those articles didn't seem to think even that was enough. I did a quick search and, of course, found huge numbers of pages. It was hard to get a good overview from any of them, and I don't know how reliable any of them are. I looked on eBay, and there were loads for sale, but again, I don't know if what they are offering is suitable or reasonable. We, of course, will recommend www.internetbonsaiclub.org. Nice site, thanks. I didn't come across that one when searching. Click on "Knowledge Base." You will want to look at the articles on "indoor bonsai." But for growing in an office you will be pretty much limited to one of the Ficus species. Well, given my comments above, would even any of the Ficus be suitable? If so, which do you recommend? Most of the sites I looked at (from the links on the IBC site) used common names, didn't see Ficus mentioned. What should I look for? I don't mind misting the tree once a day and standing it over a tray of water if that makes a big difference, but you seemed to think it woudln't. Bonasi are small enough to pick up and move somewhere where the stray water won't damage anything electrical. I wouldn't touch an e-bay bonsai. And I don't recommend them to anyone else, either. I wasn't going to buy one from there, I was merely pointing out how many sites/products I had found, and how little information I had found!! Try one of the sponsors you will see on www.internetbonsaiclub.org. They're all reliable and you may well find one that is near wherever it is you are. I'm in the UK. Do you know of any suitable suppliers here? Of the ones linked on the IBC site, only www.mishobonsai.com mentioned shipping internationally. hollowcreekbonsai.com didn't mention it (that I could see), and the others only shipped to the US. I noticed two more local sites (one in Northern Ireland and one in the UK) in the links section of the IBC site, but neither had good ratings. Thanks very much for the helpful reply. Any more info would be gratefully received. -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#5
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
Did you look in the IBC "Links" Section? There are a few UK
firms listed under the suppliers. There also will be some other UK links under other headings, and some of them will be commercial spots, too. Sonmeone's suggestion of a Portulaca for your office might work. I know little about so-called indoor trees, so can't really recommend anythings specific, but Ficus benjamina and F. nerifolia both are easy-to-grow trees. Jim Lewis - - Columbus, NC - People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plumb full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone. Uncle Dave Macon, old-time country musician |
#6
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
In article , Morten K. Agerup Myhr
writes Hello from Norway - getting rather international, aren't we? ;-) That's fine ;-) I have this summer visited Green Lawns Bonsai Center. Great experience, nice selection and very helpful. OK, thanks for the tip. I found their web site, but it doesn't look like they do on-line orders. I'll have to ring them and ask. Guess if I had some strange looks, bringing back two bonsai as hand luggage instead of the duty-free bags normally seen in the hands of Norwegians ;-D)))) I lived in Paris for a while, and met an Indian fellow there who had a terrible time getting through the French customs as he had brought several kilos of various spices with him. They were convinced that they had an international drug smuggler!! Mniature regards And minute ones back g -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#7
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
In article , Jim Lewis
writes Did you look in the IBC "Links" Section? There are a few UK firms listed under the suppliers. There also will be some other UK links under other headings, and some of them will be commercial spots, too. I did, and I have already sent e-mails to a couple, but the two that stuck out as being UK ones both had poor ratings, so I wasn't sure if they were good choices. Sonmeone's suggestion of a Portulaca for your office might work. I know little about so-called indoor trees, so can't really recommend anythings specific, but Ficus benjamina and F. nerifolia both are easy-to-grow trees. Thanks for the tips, I'll check those out. Jim Lewis - - Columbus, NC - People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plumb full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone. Uncle Dave Macon, old-time country musician -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#8
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
In article , Jim Lewis
writes Sonmeone's suggestion of a Portulaca for your office might work. I know little about so-called indoor trees, so can't really recommend anythings specific, but Ficus benjamina and F. nerifolia both are easy-to-grow trees. www.thebonsaistore.co.uk wrote back to me and suggested a Chinese elm. Does this sound like a sensible idea? They reckoned that if it was right next to the window (which rarely gets direct sunlight) and standing over (but not in) water, then it would be OK. Their indoor bonsai page is http://www.thebonsaistore.co.uk/indoor_trees Any comments? Thanks again -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#9
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
Alan Silver wrote: Hello, I know zero about bonasi, other than the popular idea that they are dwarf trees. I fancy the idea of having one in my office, but know nothing about how hard they are to keep, what I need, what type is suitable, etc. I did a quick search and, of course, found huge numbers of pages. It was hard to get a good overview from any of them, and I don't know how reliable any of them are. I looked on eBay, and there were loads for sale, but again, I don't know if what they are offering is suitable or reasonable. Anyone know of a good resource for people like me? I'm not looking to become an expert (don't have time), just looking for enough info to allow me to keep one of the beautiful looking trees in my office. Most bonsais are outdoor trees, and need to be outdoors or they'll die. They have to go through winter dormancy for their normal life cycle. However, there are some good indoor options. My personal favorite is ficuses, which are very hard to kill and grow quickly. If you buy one ficus, you can easily root the cuttings when you prune it, and end up with as many as you want. There are a lot of different kinds of ficuses. My favorite is Ficus retusa, which grows a nice thick trunk and is generally not as wimpy as ficus benjimina (the most common houseplant variety). There is a sport of ficus benjimina called "too little" which has very small leaves and is pretty cute. I have a Fukien tea plant that I got at a Fred Meyer store that was dying in a pot with rocks glued over the dirt. I pried that off and repotted it and it's doing fine. Fukien Tea plants are easier to kill than ficuses though. Another plant you might want to try is Texas Ebony, although I don't have much experience with them, I have one recently sprouted from a seed. People worry about air conditioning drying the air out too much, but all I can say is the plants in my office window seem happy enough. |
#10
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
Hello again
As I came all the way from Norway to visit them, you should really pop down/up to them and have a look (ok - didn't go to the UK just to visit Green Lawns ;-)). Their selction of Bonsai on display is quite good, enjoyable/knowledgable staff. They also have a micro "Japanese garden", including a Koi dam (largest "gold fish" I ever saw - hungry beasts!) MM PS No, I am no way connected to Green Lawns "Alan Silver" skrev i melding ... In article , Morten K. Agerup Myhr writes Hello from Norway - getting rather international, aren't we? ;-) That's fine ;-) I have this summer visited Green Lawns Bonsai Center. Great experience, nice selection and very helpful. OK, thanks for the tip. I found their web site, but it doesn't look like they do on-line orders. I'll have to ring them and ask. Guess if I had some strange looks, bringing back two bonsai as hand luggage instead of the duty-free bags normally seen in the hands of Norwegians ;-D)))) I lived in Paris for a while, and met an Indian fellow there who had a terrible time getting through the French customs as he had brought several kilos of various spices with him. They were convinced that they had an international drug smuggler!! Mniature regards And minute ones back g -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#11
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
In article . com,
Scooter the Mighty writes Thanks for the info. I'll have a look and see what I can find of those types. Alan Silver wrote: Hello, I know zero about bonasi, other than the popular idea that they are dwarf trees. I fancy the idea of having one in my office, but know nothing about how hard they are to keep, what I need, what type is suitable, etc. I did a quick search and, of course, found huge numbers of pages. It was hard to get a good overview from any of them, and I don't know how reliable any of them are. I looked on eBay, and there were loads for sale, but again, I don't know if what they are offering is suitable or reasonable. Anyone know of a good resource for people like me? I'm not looking to become an expert (don't have time), just looking for enough info to allow me to keep one of the beautiful looking trees in my office. Most bonsais are outdoor trees, and need to be outdoors or they'll die. They have to go through winter dormancy for their normal life cycle. However, there are some good indoor options. My personal favorite is ficuses, which are very hard to kill and grow quickly. If you buy one ficus, you can easily root the cuttings when you prune it, and end up with as many as you want. There are a lot of different kinds of ficuses. My favorite is Ficus retusa, which grows a nice thick trunk and is generally not as wimpy as ficus benjimina (the most common houseplant variety). There is a sport of ficus benjimina called "too little" which has very small leaves and is pretty cute. I have a Fukien tea plant that I got at a Fred Meyer store that was dying in a pot with rocks glued over the dirt. I pried that off and repotted it and it's doing fine. Fukien Tea plants are easier to kill than ficuses though. Another plant you might want to try is Texas Ebony, although I don't have much experience with them, I have one recently sprouted from a seed. People worry about air conditioning drying the air out too much, but all I can say is the plants in my office window seem happy enough. -- Alan Silver (anything added below this line is nothing to do with me) |
#12
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Where can I find out more info - complete newbie
On Thu, 31 Aug 2006 19:50:18 -0400, Scooter the Mighty
wrote: Alan Silver wrote: Hello, I know zero about bonasi, other than the popular idea that they are dwarf trees. I fancy the idea of having one in my office, but know nothing about how hard they are to keep, what I need, what type is suitable, etc. I did a quick search and, of course, found huge numbers of pages. It was hard to get a good overview from any of them, and I don't know how reliable any of them are. I looked on eBay, and there were loads for sale, but again, I don't know if what they are offering is suitable or reasonable. Anyone know of a good resource for people like me? I'm not looking to become an expert (don't have time), just looking for enough info to allow me to keep one of the beautiful looking trees in my office. Most bonsais are outdoor trees, and need to be outdoors or they'll die. They have to go through winter dormancy for their normal life cycle. However, there are some good indoor options. My personal favorite is ficuses, which are very hard to kill and grow quickly. If you buy one ficus, you can easily root the cuttings when you prune it, and end up with as many as you want. There are a lot of different kinds of ficuses. My favorite is Ficus retusa, which grows a nice thick trunk and is generally not as wimpy as ficus benjimina (the most common houseplant variety). There is a sport of ficus benjimina called "too little" which has very small leaves and is pretty cute. I have a Fukien tea plant that I got at a Fred Meyer store that was dying in a pot with rocks glued over the dirt. I pried that off and repotted it and it's doing fine. Fukien Tea plants are easier to kill than ficuses though. Another plant you might want to try is Texas Ebony, although I don't have much experience with them, I have one recently sprouted from a seed. People worry about air conditioning drying the air out too much, but all I can say is the plants in my office window seem happy enough. here is one that is interesting -- Yet, with all this inherent drama, the film skims over the surface. --Susan Granger |
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