for instance, could i grow an apple tree from a pip and train it to be a bonsai? and what would happen, would i get tiny apples? still trying to get my head around the actual mechanics of how the trees stay small. proper newbie question.

Yes, any tree can be grown to become a bonsai. Some are more suitable than others.

Trees with naturally big leafs is better to stay away from as a beginner. They need loong time to become decent material.

Same goes with naturally big fruits. If you want to grow apple, better to go for crab apple.

Cheers topfrog. I fancy growing one from a seed , so expect loads of questions over the next couple of years

Do you have any bonsai trees allready?

Growing from seed is fun. But there are not much bonsai work involved the first 10 years or so. You may want to get some mature trees to work with as well.

While in theory any tree can be grown as a bonsai, in practice some of them are very, very difficult, particularly if you have them very far from their climate zone.

I tried larches twice, and several people around here have tried them. They want a decent below freezing dormant period, and every single one here has died after the first winter.

Redbud trees grow in the woods around here. I have killed three or four putting them in pots. I have no idea why.

Starting from seeds could give you a nice tree, but you should put them in the ground, let them grow there ten or more years, and be very patient. Unless, of course, your five year old grandson says, "Look, Granddad, there are seeds in my apple. We can plant them in a pot and grow it with your trees." Fortunately two of them sprouted and one is still alive.

Larches do make great bonsais. However not everywhere.

Tropfrog wrote:

Larches do make great bonsais. However not everywhere.

You can fake a tropical winter pretty easily by moving the tree indoors. There are some issues, but it can be done.

I don't have any idea how to fake a Canadian climate in Alabama for anything less than a small fortune. I guess a large glass case with major cooling in the winter and more in the summer. And a carefully planned temperature schedule.

I do know if our summers kill them or our winters. It doesn't matter. I won't get another.

I guess that is why we always tell people to grow locally hardy species. Growing plants out of the climate they are naturally adapted to is another challenge hard to combine with the art of bonsai.

thanks for all the replies, i knew it would take a while to grow one, but didn't realise just how long. i had better just concentrate on keeping the one i have alive lol. unles s i take a cutting from my parents laburnam.

Cuttings normally take almost as long as seadlings. Better read up on air layering and take a bigger branch.

And local nurceries is a good place to look for good materials. Normally saves you 5-10 years. You can easily have a decent bonsai in 3-5 years and a fantastic one in 10.