GardenBanter.co.uk - New to Bonsai (red maple)

On Jan 28, 8:45*am, davecg321
wrote:
hey everyone. i have recently bought a bonsai starter kit, basicly a
small pot with pre-sown red maple seeds planted in soil. its also came
with basic instructions for the first year of growing

1. water well
2. leave outside untill beginning of April, then leave in window sill
3. leave to grow in pot for 1 year before re-potting

what I want to know is do i have to water everyday? or is this only
until it becomes a larger bonsai tree? obviously it will sometimes rain
so i wont need to water it then.

thanks

--
davecg321

Sorry, you just bought the Brooklyn Bridge (an American metaphor for
being scammed). It will take many years before your seedlings are old
enough to make a bonsai out of. Not recommended for beginners. Get
some bonsai books out of the library. Most of them have a chapter on
growing from seed.
#2 seems backwards, unless it is a reference to stratification
(chilling period to make seeds sprout). Do not try to grow these on a
windowsill. They will die. Leave them outdoors in a sheltered
location. Leaving them in the pot for a year sounds about right. Next
spring (2011), plant them in a sunny location & feed heavily until
they get big enough to work on.
The basic rule is water whenever they start to dry out. How often
depends on your climate.
If you want to get started with bonsai right away, go to the nearest
garden centre & get a tree to practice on, like a yew or juniper.
UK is overrun with bonsai artists & bonsai clubs. Find the nearest
one. Join the Internet Bonsai Club.
Iris