Bonsai, by Peter Chan is a very helpful (but rather expensive) book. I love it, I picked it up at a local bookstore and I love it. Lots of info on everything Bonsai!

Hmm...looking at that post by WaterTitan, I guess eugenia doesn't count as a true bonsai tree? The Peter Chan book is about $10.00 on half.com for a gently used version, if anyone is interested.

Um, Eugenia CAN be a "true" bonsai tree if you work it right. There are no "correct" trees to use as bonsai, just some species that are better suited for the cultivation techniques than others.

Thanks, Mark. It's my first one. I almost went out last week to the local nursery to pick up another, since the tree is doing well. That mild success has given me a little more confidence (or is it courage?) in my limited expertise!

In your profile, you've listed quite a few species that you've worked with. Do you have a recommendation for a beginner like myself -- go with the traditional bonsai tree or something a little different?

Thanks,
Tony

What's a "traditional" bonsai tree? Traditional bonsai, if you mean what the Japanese grow, aren't indoor trees. That's a Western invention.

As for indoor trees, Brush cherry isn't one I'd recommend. If you want an indoor species, ficus is the best, bar none. Schefflera is also good and hardy indoors. Chinese elm can do OK, but can get cranky over time.

Forget Serissa. It's a pain. Forget juniper and maples. They are outdoor species.

For what it's worth, "outdoor" bonsai are vastly easier to keep than "indoor" varieties (although indoor trees should be outside all summer).

from my personal experience, do not go with schefflera, It is very finicky. I have had several scheffleras (both bonsai and non-bonsai) and all of their leaves started to yellow and fall off within three days of purchase. I spoke to one of my friends at a local bonsai shop and she said that schefflera do not rate very high on the indoor bonsai scale. She said that they need a lot of humidity and therefore do best in a heatedtropical greenhouse.

I have had similar experiences with my ficus.

Juniper is not a good choice as mark_rockwell said.

I have never had a maple and probably never will (I live in Arizona)

but I plan to try out with the Chinese elm.

I have many outdoor trees which I do find much easier to care for:

1. Japanese Boxwood
2. Blue Point Arborvitae
3. Beckmann's Golden Arborvitae
4. Romanian Myrtle

For anyone looking for a very interesting and easy care outdoor bonsai, try the romanian myrtle (I don't know the scientific name and I am at a friend's house so I can't go back home to look at the tag on the pot that it came in from the nursery.

--Zach

Zach, your similar experiences withtwo different plants may have alot to do with care. Similarities like that often have a central cause.

Ficus is recommended by just about every bonsaiists that has worked with it. I started with them a decade ago. Never was able to kill one (or a schefflera either) for years. Leaf drop in either species isn't a critical sign, especially so soon after bringing one home.

Leaf drop in ficus is usually a sign it's making adjustments to the light level it's been put in. Ficus are like that, they drop leaves. So do scheffs. They, along with a vast variety of plants, also drop leaves if they're watered too much. It's a symptom of stress.

By the way, ALL tropical plants do better in greenhouses. That may be a primary reason why people see them drop leaves upon bringing them home.

A greenhouse grown ficus is going to drop alot of leaves being moved from such a well lighted place to a darker home environment. It's inevitable and should be expected. Ficus will usually put out a new set of leaves in a few weeks to replace those that drop.

Never heard of "Romanian" myrtle by the way. If it's myrtus communis, it's not ideal for more temperate climates, since it is a Mediterranean species and requires alot of sun and little, if any frost. They do poorly indoors just about anywhere.

So, most of the trees you've mentioned are ok for zone 6? Even the winters of zone 6? Would you recommend bringing the trees indoors in the winter, or do I need to build a little covering for them?

The local grower said that my eugenia shouldn't be outdoors in the winter. Should I ignore his advice?

Thanks, folks. You've been most helpful with your comments.

--Tony

Um, ficus , schefflera, myrtles are tropical to subtropical Brush cherries are borderline tropical. Ficus and scheffs are tropical plants. All will be killed with the first frosts if left outside in late fall.