Hi there. Just got my first tree. Not sure what it is as it was just labelled “small bonsai”. I’m thinking maybe a Pachira? If anyone could help this rookie that would be great!

dlongmoore wrote: Hi there. Just got my first tree. Not sure what it is as it was just labelled “small bonsai”.

Looks like a pachira aquatica but this really has got nothing to do with bonsai.

Auk wrote:

dlongmoore wrote: Hi there. Just got my first tree. Not sure what it is as it was just labelled “small bonsai”.

Looks like a pachira aquatica but this really has got nothing to do with bonsai.

Sorry what do you mean by that?

dlongmoore wrote:

Auk wrote:

dlongmoore wrote: Hi there. Just got my first tree. Not sure what it is as it was just labelled “small bonsai”.

Looks like a pachira aquatica but this really has got nothing to do with bonsai.

Sorry what do you mean by that?

I am not sure what is not clear? Your plant is a houseplant. It is not trained, shaped, potted or maintained like a bonsai. It is not a bonsai.

Just curious what is not Bonsai about it. I bought it as my first plant as it was labelled a bonsai plant and I’m interested in getting into it. Is it cause it’s not braided? Not pruned properly? Clearly I’m a rookie here

dlongmoore wrote: Just curious what is not Bonsai about it. I bought it as my first plant as it was labelled a bonsai plant and I’m interested in getting into it. Is it cause it’s not braided? Not pruned properly? Clearly I’m a rookie here

Yes, that's very clear. Bonsai are not braided.

This is a cut off stump with some leaves. It does not look like a tree. If you're interested in bonsai, at least start looking at what bonsai look like. This site has all that information.

Thanks for your help. One last question: were you not hugged enough as a child? You’re very surly for a practiser of bonsai

dlongmoore wrote: Thanks for your help. One last question: were you not hugged enough as a child? You’re very surly for a practiser of bonsai

Not going to get into your last question. However, as it is always a bit tricky to explain, I wrote a few pages about the sort of discussion starting here. Take a look, I think it will clarify some of the responses.

www.growingbonsai.net/why-is-my-tree-not-a-bonsai/
www.growingbonsai.net/what-is-a-bonsai/

Welcome to the empire, and .. Do stick around. People really are quite helpful here.

Much obliged! I will make sure to have a read.

Awesome post! Thanks again. It’s funny how relevant it was to my situation.