my new tree

curlito · 08-01-2009, 04:25 AM

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this forum and the bonsai experience, so please excuse my ignorance on all topics.

2 weeks ago I started a tree of my own. I bought a box from giftrepublic.com, called GROW IT.

I followed the instructions included in the box and some other I read on the net and the outcome is in the following photos.
I had it in a nylon bag for 2 weeks and today I got rid of it.
I put it all inside water for 30' every week and then back to the bag.

What do you think? Is this a bonsai tree or something else? Did I do something wrong? What should I do now?

Thanks
Kostas
Athens, Greece

noissee · 08-01-2009, 11:31 AM

looks like a pine seedling. Not a tree yet.

curlito · 08-01-2009, 01:11 PM

Hi noissee!

Any suggestions/tutorials?

Mattbonsai · 08-01-2009, 02:41 PM

Hi Curlito,

Welcome to the site, as Noissee said it looks like a pine seedling, and therefore it should be kept outside, and wont survive inside. In your climate, it would be wise to keep it in a semi-shaded area, and keep an extra eye on the water.

It will take a few good years of growth before you can consider to start carrying out bonsai techniques, in the coming spring it would be wise to split the seedlings into 3 seperate pots.

It may be an idea to go to the nearest garden centre or nursery and buy an already formed tree to practice your bonsai techniques on.

Good luck, keep us informed.

-Matt-

curlito · 08-01-2009, 02:59 PM

Thanks Matt!

I'll do exactly what you propose.

Vic N · 08-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Hi, Kostas.
I've only been doing this for a few years myself, so I'm not going to give much advice on what to do with what you have. I would suggest a couple of sites that will teach you years worth of knowledge for free. I would also suggest that you look at some of your native trees, you may have olives and cedars and even shrubs. Most of these can, and have been made into bonsai. Do a search for these trees on google and click "images". You may be surprised at what you find.
Depending on your age you may want to buy a tree that already has some size to it. The trees you have are referred to as "200 year trees" by one artist. That's when they will be good bonsai. Never get discouraged, we all make mistakes. It's how we learn. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you can find a good teacher in your area, it's well worth the time and cost to work with someone who has years of experience.
Good luck, and below are some sites for you. Vic

BRENT WALSTON

BONSAI4ME

noissee · 08-02-2009, 02:04 AM

Pines take quite a while to make a nice bonsai. I would put these in the ground next year, and read up on some Brent Walston stuff from the link above. If you are really interested in bonsai, then these pine seedlings, if you aren't too old, have the potential to be world-class trees. At this stage you can pretty much go in any direction. Read, read, read Walston stuff to find out how you can turn these into masterpieces. It will take a long time though, so finding some more mature material will be a good idea to keep you busy.

curlito · 08-02-2009, 04:02 AM

I'm 28 to 29 yrs old, so I'll do what you both say.
I'll keep growing the pines, but at the same time will try to learn as much as I can by reading, buying a mature one and asking people in my city who already know.

Thank you both!

treebeard55 · 08-02-2009, 01:36 PM

Hi, Kostas, and welcome.

Given where you live, you can use some species that those of us further north can't use, unless we give them special winter protection. Examples are olive (Olea europea,) myrtle (Myrtus communis,) and Aleppo pine (Pinus halapensis.)

Talk to others in your area to see what does best there. And enjoy!

08-01-2009, 04:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
curlito Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 4	my new tree Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum and the bonsai experience, so please excuse my ignorance on all topics. 2 weeks ago I started a tree of my own. I bought a box from giftrepublic.com, called GROW IT. I followed the instructions included in the box and some other I read on the net and the outcome is in the following photos. I had it in a nylon bag for 2 weeks and today I got rid of it. I put it all inside water for 30' every week and then back to the bag. What do you think? Is this a bonsai tree or something else? Did I do something wrong? What should I do now? Thanks Kostas Athens, Greece Last edited by curlito; 08-01-2009 at 05:03 AM..

08-01-2009, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 801	Hi Curlito, Welcome to the site, as Noissee said it looks like a pine seedling, and therefore it should be kept outside, and wont survive inside. In your climate, it would be wise to keep it in a semi-shaded area, and keep an extra eye on the water. It will take a few good years of growth before you can consider to start carrying out bonsai techniques, in the coming spring it would be wise to split the seedlings into 3 seperate pots. It may be an idea to go to the nearest garden centre or nursery and buy an already formed tree to practice your bonsai techniques on. Good luck, keep us informed. -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

08-02-2009, 01:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 510	Hi, Kostas, and welcome. Given where you live, you can use some species that those of us further north can't use, unless we give them special winter protection. Examples are olive (Olea europea,) myrtle (Myrtus communis,) and Aleppo pine (Pinus halapensis.) Talk to others in your area to see what does best there. And enjoy! __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

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08-01-2009, 11:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
noissee Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: florida panhandle Posts: 206	looks like a pine seedling. Not a tree yet.

08-01-2009, 01:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
curlito Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 4	Hi noissee! Any suggestions/tutorials?

08-01-2009, 02:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
curlito Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 4	Thanks Matt! I'll do exactly what you propose.

08-01-2009, 08:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Vic N Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 28	Hi, Kostas. I've only been doing this for a few years myself, so I'm not going to give much advice on what to do with what you have. I would suggest a couple of sites that will teach you years worth of knowledge for free. I would also suggest that you look at some of your native trees, you may have olives and cedars and even shrubs. Most of these can, and have been made into bonsai. Do a search for these trees on google and click "images". You may be surprised at what you find. Depending on your age you may want to buy a tree that already has some size to it. The trees you have are referred to as "200 year trees" by one artist. That's when they will be good bonsai. Never get discouraged, we all make mistakes. It's how we learn. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you can find a good teacher in your area, it's well worth the time and cost to work with someone who has years of experience. Good luck, and below are some sites for you. Vic BRENT WALSTON BONSAI4ME

08-02-2009, 02:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
noissee Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: florida panhandle Posts: 206	Pines take quite a while to make a nice bonsai. I would put these in the ground next year, and read up on some Brent Walston stuff from the link above. If you are really interested in bonsai, then these pine seedlings, if you aren't too old, have the potential to be world-class trees. At this stage you can pretty much go in any direction. Read, read, read Walston stuff to find out how you can turn these into masterpieces. It will take a long time though, so finding some more mature material will be a good idea to keep you busy.

08-02-2009, 04:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
curlito Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 4	I'm 28 to 29 yrs old, so I'll do what you both say. I'll keep growing the pines, but at the same time will try to learn as much as I can by reading, buying a mature one and asking people in my city who already know. Thank you both!

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