[tarmenel]

Well seems that I've jumped on the band wagon a bit late in the season. I've been reading and reading and found myself more and more interested in trying my hand at bonsai. The thing is as a beginner I want to already get my hands dirty and start chopping away. This method as I've been reading is where a lesson of patience called for. I would like to prepare for the next 'season' so would like some pointers on what I can do in the off season. Currently I do have a few tree's, a bouganvilla, an olive tree and two ficus that seriously need some attention. From what I've read this is not the time of the year to be repotting tree's. I'd also like to start with preparing cuttings, I am in Israel so the climate is Medditereanean and by no means do we have a terribly cold winter, at least it does not snow where I stay. So what should I be doing with my new found drive other than reading?

[Enchantra]

My first question is are your trees inside or outside? That factor is going to determine a lot of what you will be doing.

Another question I'm going to ask so we can better help you:
1) What is your lowest temperature there in the "winter?"

If I'm correct the Bougie and the Olive would probably be outdoor trees for you and living fine outside year-round. Your climate would support their growth without to much protection. As for the Ficus, they are a bit more tropical, I would expect them to be inside for at least the winter for you.

If your ficus are inside you could prune them and wire them now. It won't hurt them.

There is a tutorial in the tutorials subforum regarding indoor bonsai, written by the god of all things Tropical bonsai, Jerry Meislik (Sorry if I misspelled that.) It's good reading and might help you.

[tarmenel]

Enchantra, on 07 November 2009 - 09:07 PM, said:

My first question is are your trees inside or outside? That factor is going to determine a lot of what you will be doing.

Another question I'm going to ask so we can better help you:
1) What is your lowest temperature there in the "winter?"

If I'm correct the Bougie and the Olive would probably be outdoor trees for you and living fine outside year-round. Your climate would support their growth without to much protection. As for the Ficus, they are a bit more tropical, I would expect them to be inside for at least the winter for you.

If your ficus are inside you could prune them and wire them now. It won't hurt them.

There is a tutorial in the tutorials subforum regarding indoor bonsai, written by the god of all things Tropical bonsai, Jerry Meislik (Sorry if I misspelled that.) It's good reading and might help you.

My tree will generally be outside. Don't see any reason to bring them in because the "winter" we have is pretty mild. I reckon 10 degree's Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) is probably the minimum of the minimum, and thats maybe a week in the depths of winter. For the last few years the ficus has been outside to no apparent bad side effects. I think the opposite because they get some water from the rain. I'll get some pictures of the tree's in question and post them up here.

[littletreeman]

Well Hello !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yes winter is approaching for me too,although it was 70 degress today,whats a bonsai nut suppose to do to get ready for next season welllllllllllllllllllllllll

1.Buy and read a book on bonsai care

2.rent videos

3.scout local nursery's end of season sales (WHOOO HOOOO 30 TO 70% OFF ALL STOCK)

4. scout out potentials in the wild

5.,make a wish list and send to Santa

6.mix up new batches of soils

7.read another book

and most important of all GO DORMANT JUST LIKE MY TREES

[tarmenel]

Put up some photo's of my tree's [1,2,3] and got a bit of a cold shower. Seems like I have a way to go before trying anything and I'll be doing plenty of reading. I actually found some great videos on YouTube last night and watched some technique. I'm thinking about making some juniper cuttings and then also starting to look at the nurseries of the area. Thanks for the list littletreeman

[littletreeman]

tarmenel, on 13 November 2009 - 04:47 PM, said:

Put up some photo's of my tree's [1,2,3] and got a bit of a cold shower. Seems like I have a way to go before trying anything and I'll be doing plenty of reading. I actually found some great videos on YouTube last night and watched some technique. I'm thinking about making some juniper cuttings and then also starting to look at the nurseries of the area. Thanks for the list littletreeman

Dont forget to water your trees.Also check this out http://www.bonsai4me.../Olea.html.This site, www.bonsai4me.com is another great site