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Hello everyone!

Someone just gifted me this bonsai tree (Zanthoxylum piperitum, 5 years old), which I keep indoors under a growlight, and I would be very grateful if somebody could tell me what to do next, especially about pruning and wiring. What should I do in order to give shape and take care of it? I’ll attach some photos to make it easier.

Thank you very much in advance!

First year just learn how to grow it and keep it healthy. Meanwhile read up on bonsai styling and create your own vision for the tree. You are the artist and you are the only one that can see it in all angles.

I would not wire this plant, the branches can be brittle. It is better to clip and grow. It looks dry has it been watered?

Yes, in the photos the soil is dry but I’ve watered it today. By the way, could I clip it in winter? Thank you!

Yes you can prune in winter. The question is rather if you should and why? You need to know how to grow before you start prune.

Many topics on this forum start with someone who have just bought their first tree. Unfortunately, more often than not, that is followed with a post a few weeks or months later, with that tree dead or dying. Although growing bonsai is not hard in itself, the choice of species commonly picked up by beginners makes it harden than should be. Plants have a hard time surviving our indoor climate. This makes indoor growing of bonsai complex.

For now, focus on keeping this plant happy and getting the care down. Once spring hits and this plant can move into the garden, look into pruning repotting etc