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New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59290

  • Horvus
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Hi,
I was recently gifted what I believe to be a Bonsai for my birthday. I am having a hard time identifying it, I checked the few tabs on here and I am almost certain it's a pine of some sort.

I was just hoping I could ask a couple questions.

1. If it's a pine, what species
2. Can you over prune, what time of year should I prune?
3. Should my Bonsai be kept inside or outside.

To give more information, I live in the Midwest US so it's currently summer but even though today is 70°F/ 21°C. The weather could drop back down to 40°F/ 4°C tomorrow.

I really love my tree and want it to thrive!! :) Thank you for your time.

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New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59292

  • lucR
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Hello and welcome.
Whether you have a bonsai or not I will leave in the middle..
It is a juniper and it needs to be outside asap, it will die inside.
Your first action is to keep it alive and that means just watering it for now, if you can keep it alive for a year then you can start thinking about doing other things. In the meanwhile you can study about what is bonsai, how to take care ( some general horticulture will help), repotting, soil, pruning, wiring...... Take your time,bonsai is a marathon, not a sprint
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New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59293

  • Spot Beagle
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It really is a nice tree, might let it sit till spring. This is fine season to trim, before it gets hot.
I wouldn't trim it by my self, the first time.
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Last edit: Post by Spot Beagle.

New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59295

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Thank you both for the quick reply!!

I have no intension of trimming soon, I'm just so eager and excited haha.

One more quick question: it came to me in the ceramic but it has no drainage on the bottom, should I leave it in the ceramic or repot it into a better container?

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New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59296

  • Spot Beagle
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You need drain holes, or it will die. They need dry roots.

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Last edit: Post by Spot Beagle.

New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59297

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That's what I thought.

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New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59299

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Thank you both for the quick reply!!

I have no intension of trimming soon, I'm just so eager and excited haha.

One more quick question: it came to me in the ceramic but it has no drainage on the bottom, should I leave it in the ceramic or repot it into a better container?


Ah- there is hope, if you saw there is no hole you at least have some horticultural knowledge.it does need a hole indeed: or you slip it into another pot with a hole , or you take it out , drill a hole in this one and place it back in( both options without disturbing the roots too much)

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New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59300

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New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59312

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You need drain holes, or it will die. They need dry roots.

that is not true. well the drain hole yes, but do not let your roots dry out. dry roots = dead tree. try to keep the roots moist not sopping wet or you will get root rot. takes time to learn how to water properly as you learn your trees needs for water.
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Last edit: Post by crent89.

New to this, I have a few questions! 3 years 10 months ago #59322

  • leatherback
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You need drain holes, or it will die. They need dry roots.

that is not true. well the drain hole yes, but do not let your roots dry out. dry roots = dead tree. try to keep the roots moist not sopping wet or you will get root rot. takes time to learn how to water properly as you learn your trees needs for water.


For the sake of argument.. Even the drainage hole is not needed. :woohoo:

People who can control the watering and know what they are doing can grow trees in pots without drainage holes. It makes life very difficult granted. But strictly speaking the hole is there to make our life easy :)
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