can anyone out there give me any tips on how to grow a bonsai without it dying on me?

Answer 1

Ok. I've owned 5 bonsai over the years and my current one has lasted the longest, so i must be doing something right.

What i tend to do is put the bonsai in a bowl of water so that the water is just covering the soil, then leave it for a minute until the bubbles stop. After which i remove it, spray the leaves with a normal house-plant spray and put it by the window. I repeat this once every 10 days. I think once a month i should give it bonsai food too, but to be honest i haven't been.

The main killers of bonsai are:

- draughty places
- underwatering (leaves die / dry up and will not re-grow)
- too much sun (dries out leaves)

Best bet is to put it by a window that receives light but not full sun, water it once every 10 days (maybe more in peak summer) and keep an eye out for anything that looks peculiar. I had one that died of some disease that i failed to spot....

Good luck

Answer 2

Wow! What answers you have been given! If you haven't bought a bonsai yet, STOP and think where you want to keep it.....that is, inside or outside. Then, get a species that is forgiving so you will not get discouraged. To find out which species are forgiving, make sure the seller is reputable, then ask that person. Preferably you will go to a person who actually trained and planted the bonsai (100's of species are made into the bonsai design). You are welcome to check my website (I do all my own bonsai):
http://www.american-bonsai.com for ideas of indoor and outdoor.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me:
[e-mail]

Answer 3

What part of the country do you live in? What kind of tree is it? These are important pieces to the puzzle. Your tree may not even be dead, it might just have lost its leaves for the winter and started to hibernate if it is a deciduous tree. Yours best bet with bonsai is to grow them outside as much as possible. Keep the soil moist (but not drenched) and keep them out of direct sunlight (but make sure they get good light. Also, before you put your tree outside, make sure it can live in the current temperature. Tropical trees need to be kept indoors during the winter in most places. Also, be patient with it and don't prune to much of it all at once. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 4

Imagine you have had a bad experience with growing a bonsai,does this tragedy occur when you are re potting or in bad weather ?.If you are starting from scratch it is a time consuming procedure,but once established with a good root system,the rest is caring for it like any potted plant,regular & sufficient watering ,regular & proper feeding,protection from inclement weather,pruning just before the growing season.

Answer 5

Bonsai's are real trees in a tiny bit of soil, so they need regular love and devotion - a bit like children or pets.

Answer 6

as you know bonsai are real trees,the one Ive got lost its leaves a few months back iam waiting now for them to come back,so iam presuming its deciduous? what i do is when the soil is bone dry on top, i put it in the sink,fill with water so it just comes over the top of the plant holder,and wait until all the air bubbles stop coming up,take it out ,drain off and back on window sill? i also spray mine with a fine mist?

Answer 7

DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND OF TREE YOU ARE GROWING. MOST BONSAI'S ONLY NEED A LITTLE BIT OF WATER. I GIVE MY BONSAI'S A CUP OF WATER EVRY THIRD DAY. AND DONT PUT THEM OUTSIDE IN THE SUN, THAT WILL SURE MAKE THEM DIE

Answer 8

haven't got a clue. i followed the direction that came with the tree and it still died.