{"id":5980,"date":"2011-11-25T17:48:24","date_gmt":"2011-11-26T01:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nycupcake.com\/?p=5980"},"modified":"2011-11-25T17:58:32","modified_gmt":"2011-11-26T01:58:32","slug":"my-first-bonsai-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nycupcake.com\/?p=5980","title":{"rendered":"My First Bonsai Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

My first bonsai was a Christmas gift juniper from my husband’s relatives.\u00a0 I would love to switch out my current blue ceramic pot (pictured below) with a 5.5 in-6 in The Intelligent Plant Light\/Timely Lighting Care pot.\u00a0 Following a re-decoration similar to my friend’s potted plant (also pictured below).\u00a0 I prefer a traditional ceramic bonsai pot but don’t have too much choice as I’m depending on my The Intelligent Plant Light<\/a> machine.\u00a0 I really don’t have a green thumb =( so I hope that my bonsai has a better chance because of it…..<\/p>\n

It’s been about a year since the plant was given to me and unfortunately it’s currently not doing that well.\u00a0 This is probably due to under-watering or disease.\u00a0 I’ve also read from various sources that junipers don’t fare well indoors since they are meant to be an outdoor plant.\u00a0 Do not buy a juniper unless you will eventually transfer it outside; you’ll only be heart-broken.\u00a0\u00a0 I may re-try my hand at bonsai-caring with a fairly tolerant braided bamboo a.k.a. good luck tree (which is what my friend has).<\/p>\n

The materials you will need to re-create something similar to my friend’s braided bamboo bonsai environment or to make your own beginner’s kit includes:<\/p>\n

bonsai humidity\/drip tray pebbles: <\/strong>It is a good idea to add water to your bonsai humidity\/drip tray and\u00a0 to raise your bonsai pot out of the water by lining your tray with river pebbles.
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decorative crushed shale landscape rocks: <\/strong>A decorative dressing which doubles as a soil mix.
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decorative landscape pebbles, small grade size: <\/strong>Clear-coated, tumbled smooth, and non-toxic.
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professional bonsai soil, granular form:<\/strong> Considered sterile and environmentally inert. It is a natural non-toxic, highly absorptive ceramic granule with a generally neutral PH. \u00a0Approximately 25% water, 25% air, and 50% solid particulate matter.\u00a0 It is dimensionally stable and will not degrade like other amending products. There is no need for it to be re-applied year after year.<\/p>\n

Akadama brown soil: <\/strong>Can be mixed with other bonsai soils or used by itself.\u00a0 It is a flash-fired, soft, volcanic clay.
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Kyoto moss spores: <\/strong>These moss seed spores produce a beautiful, bright green velvety moss of the variety commonly found in the famous Kyoto gardens of Japan.
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Colorado rock granules (tree soil additive): <\/strong>Is a naturally occurring volcanic cinder that has a porous structure which makes the material lightweight and highly moisture retentive. Incorporate into your bonsai soil mix to increase drainage (aeration). It will absorb up to 40% of its weight in water.<\/p>\n

Bonsai Pro Brand fertilizer: <\/strong>It does not cause undesirable salt buildup in your growing medium.\u00a0It is a professional formulation containing all essential macro and micro nutrient minerals for healthy bonsai. \u00a0<\/strong><\/strong>With bonsai pro you feed your bonsai with each watering.<\/p>\n

bonsai training wire<\/strong><\/p>\n

drip tray<\/strong><\/p>\n

traditional beginner bonsai shears: <\/strong>You probably would not need the more advanced tools until your tree matures.
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*Other great advice from bonsai expert, Nancy Cyburban of Life’s Little Amusements regarding my personal bonsai project:<\/strong><\/p>\n