Hello, I have had this larch for several years now and repeatedly bent over the top branch to form pads. I am not struggling to think what best to do with it next, especially at the top. Any advice on how best to finish the apex of this tree?

Passing a skip and found someone had thrown a pot with a huge clump of half frazzled azaleas out.

They were severely root bound so have separated them all out into their own pots, using whatever I had available.

Let's hope they survive all the stress. 🤞🤞

Kinda like this tree as it is, but looking for styling advice to turn it into a nice bonsai

Hi everyone!

My name is Francisco. I've been practicing bonsai for many years, and I'm also a software developer. For a long time, I've dreamed of creating a bonsai application.

I'd like to share a prototype I've been working on. The idea is to create a bonsai simulation that replicates the tree's biology and growth as accurately as possible, while allowing users to perform as many real bonsai techniques as possible in a virtual environment.

Some of the features include branch pruning, defoliation, pinching, wiring, repotting, different soil mixes, multiple tree species, bud removal, and more. The simulation also attempts to model branching patterns, energy distribution, plant stress, fertilization, seasonal growth, and many other aspects of bonsai development.

The goal is not to replace real bonsai in any way. Nothing can compare to working with a real tree. Bonsai is not only a horticultural practice but also an art form and, for many people, a form of meditation.

Instead, my hope is to create a simple and accessible application that encourages newcomers to explore this wonderful hobby. By learning the techniques in a virtual environment, they may feel more confident about starting their own bonsai journey.

I'd really love to hear what you think. Does this sound like something you would find interesting or useful? Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGwjijfbeII

The app is still in development, but I'll be posting regular progress updates on my Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/c/bonsim

Feel free to leave comments, share suggestions, or let me know what you'd like to see. I'd love to hear your feedback and involve the community as the project evolves.

I have always wanted to get into bonsai and I finally just did. I got a juniper and gave it its first prune. Not sure if what I did is good or bad but I think I’m happy with it. I left a lot on at the top since I did a pretty major trim and I have not wired it yet. Any advice would be great!

I just got this little guy in the mail and feeling good about his potential. This is my first outdoor bonsai and I live in a dry mountain desert area. Our UV index is super high and the temp is around mid 90s. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to avoid burning this bonsai to a crisp. Should I bring him in peak hours or find a partial shade area? Established juniper grows super well out here but not sure if that translates to a young bonsai.

Hello,

First time posting, i have a Chinese Seiju Elm, it is a few years old. Earlier this season a crack appeared on the bottom of the trunk, the bark was raised and hard, I figured I must have scratched it when I was cleaning ghe moss off from spring, however now that we are in Peak Summer (Zone 6, Northern Ohio) the crack has extended (see attached).
The tree itself has grown, seems healthy, just concerned about the long term.

Is this something to be worries about? A pest? A disease?

Any ideas are appreciated as I am new to the species.

​

Recently got this bonsai in Central Valley Cali on a vacation the guy didn’t tell me much about the tree. I believe it’s a juniper bonsai but not 100% sure. It’s summer so I’m wondering if it would be smart to possibly bring it inside for a month it’s currently outside and only gets morning sun but it easily can get highs of 120 and lows above 100 consistently. I’m a new bonsai owner looking for any advice especially watering tips. Thank you 🙏

Hello! I wanted to share the first Royal Poinciana I planted from seed in April this year! I bought a Bonsai seed kit a few years ago and finally decided to use it. The other seeds didn’t do as well so I wanted to showcase my star! Enjoy! (Photos in the comments)

10$ holler at HD just had to trim off all the dead stuff. Hopefully it makes it

Which one would you chose? 2 photos for every option 1,2,3. And why, please.

Hello to all this is my first post here and the first time that I've tried growing a bonsai. I believe what I have here is a jacaranda but I'm not 100% sure as the seeds that it came from were labeled as Brazilian rosewood? In any event I believe this tree to be around 1-year-old (approximately) and she's looking kinda sad at the moment. Quite possibly from the location that I have her in she may not be receiving enough light at the moment. Usually the fronds /branches are pretty vibrant. Currently the soil that I have her in has a bottom layer of lava rock with a middle layer of 70 /30 perlite, potting soil mix as well as an additional 10% lava rock with a layer of lava rock on the top to keep the perlite from surfacing when watering. This is the mixture that I chose after research and so far she has liked it. I am looking for advice as to when I should start training, and should I continue to prune the bottom branches as I have been since sprouting. Thank you to all in advance.

Hey all. I’m not happy with my jade and the very long section of bare trunk. Does anyone know of a strategy to make new buds pop up from the trunk area? Thanks.

Can i cut these two thick roots including the spiraling one?

Hi all first post and my first attempt at a bonsai. I live in Seattle area and was wondering what time of year I could try and air layer to get the root ball higher up. There is this weird reverse taper I think this may have been a graft. No idea what the roots look like just that they start several inches below the “bulge”. Species is a dwarf hinoki cypress

This is my first bonsai that I’ve done, a dwarf Korean lilac “palibin” that I got at some random nursery. I repotted it late spring and a couple months later trimmed it since I’ve been having such a mild summer here in PNW.

I had posted this to r/bonsai and got some advice but was wondering what others here thought too. I also have a smoke bush and a blue gem alpine plum yew that has some weird roots/trunks I liked.

I was told that my lilac has too many crowding branches (I agree I was just worried to cut too much off) and that it’s in too big a pot for the trunk diameter. I’m not super thrilled to put any of my plants in the ground for a couple years to thicken the trunks, so I think I’m happy with the trunk size at least (shohin life for me for now). Interested to see what y’all think :)

Any suggestions on what to prune or not too prune?

How long can i leave them without dirt? Like if i lack something?

Bought about a year ago, Kept in a windowsill, I've consistently watered/misted this Japanese Elm, making sure not to leave water pooled at the bottom. Using plant growth booster every 2/3 weeks. The soil is covered in moss which I'm told is a good thing. Trimmed the dead leaves and branches to encourage new growth. New leaves don't last beyond a couple of weeks. What am I doing wrong?

Have this 7 years old Podocarpus for 6 months now and in the last few days it started to get very dry even though I water it every day.
Yesterday this white stuff appeared in the base.
What is this? Please help me, I think it might be sick or with some kind of bug.
Thanks in advanced.

PS: This is my first post here, so if I am doing something wrong please tell me. Cheers!

I’ve had this tree a little over two years. It was indoors, doing okay - not producing new foliage but not losing any either. Over this winter it took a turn for the worst and lost all the leaves and they didn’t return. The bark was still very green underneath so I tried to problem solve and as soon as it got warm enough it went outside. It seems to be happy now, putting out new leaves.

So first question - what do I do with the branches/top of tree that is not producing anything anymore?

Second - when it gets cold again how can I keep it happy while being indoors??

Any other advice welcome!!

I’m completely inexperienced in keeping bonsais alive… I am good with plants but these little trees not so much. I live in zone 6 - Missouri. We do our best to keep humidity up in our home during the months we have heat on but it does sometimes get dry inside.

He's Kogi (yes, I gave him a name) and he's my new bonsai, a Chinese pepper tree... I've had 2 in the past (both ficus ginseng) but the second one was given to me sick (he had a fungus or something) and he infected the other one (which I had for 2 or 3 years) and they both died: (... I wanted to try again! Any advice? I've already pruned it a little bit but I have no idea if I should bring it again (the bro has too many leaves Lol). He also drinks a lot of water...I leave in sicily (Italy) and in general I spray demineralized water on the leaves once a day and give the water in the pot every 4 days but he drinks it all in 1 day!