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Hey folks, greetings from Toronto. Today outside the liquor store I bought this potted plant off a little old man running a nursery out of his home. Although he described it as a bonsai tree, I can see by the other posts in this forum you guys HATE it when people call it such when it is not. So I'm just going to call it a baby tree, not bonsai tree.

I know nothing about growing plants but I really want this guy to live. To the point that I'm going out to buy fertilizers and anything i need to help this tree flourish

But what is it? A baby pine tree?

Picture:

The weather is just getting nice here with days above 60 and even up to 70 with lots of sunlight.

Please help me to help this plant. I am willing to do all the reading needed and spend any amount of money on nutrition and accessories, I just need a push in the right direction

I am also confused by what appears to be layers of rocks of some sort over soil in a small pot.

The picture doesn't do justice as to how small this thing is, it's truly a baby
Thanks so much for your time

Cheers

R

A juniper, probably a cutting. Be sure to keep it outside, being inside, sort of kills junipers.

it is indeed a 5$ juniper in a bowl..

And the rocks may be glued on, in which case remove them immediately.

Place it outside, as Samantha said, and look up the care guidelines for juniper on this site. you may want to check the roots and slip-pot it into a regular pot until it can be safely transplanted into the ground. Sadly, it will take many years before that can be considered bonsai (as it's apparent you've worked out) and the chances are that it won't survive that long (it could just be a stick in a pot.

Good luck with this plant and if you have any more specific questions be sure to post them here.
Ed

rolex wrote: But what is it? A baby pine tree? The picture doesn't do justice as to how small this thing is, it's truly a baby

Actually, the picture does do it justice. This plant isn't so small because it was trained to be a bonsai - it is so small because actually it IS a baby, a very young juniper, probably from a cutting. I notice you read the forum... so you expected this answer.

I think the estimate of $5,00 for this plant is too high.

You could grow this into a bonsai - if you have a couple of decades. Better idea, as you are willing to spend "any amount of money on nutrition and accessories", would be to try and purchase better starting material. Spending "any amount of money" on this plant would be very silly.

I wish there was a law against selling this as bonsai...

BTW: I recommend not placing these pots on your car. The (unglazed) feet of the pot will make scratches.

Thanks so much for the replies..

Not so sure I agree with the intense elitist sentiment on these forums, however. I don't care if it's a $5 dollar plant or a $50 dollar plant. I like the look of it and that's all I care about. Frankly I don't understand why everyone is so hung up on the semantics, but I do appreciate the comments both negative and positive.

Edit: Guys, honestly, these comments on here are killing me.. No need to make selling these "against the law" as I am sure the kind little old man did not go out of his way just to rip me off of a few dollars, the tree looks pretty to me regardless. Do you guys really let things like this ruin your day?

I do have another question as everybody keeps mentioning to keep it outside -- is that an absolute must?

If I keep it outside can I keep it in that small pot? I actually was looking more forward to it growing in a vessel rather than directly into the ground at this point


PS - the pot was on the glass sunroof

Thanks again guys

I had three junipers when I was a kid. I insisted on keeping them inside. Those plants lasted almost 2 months and were dead. Unfortunately they cost me more than 5 dollars. So you can go that route if you like. I think a cold beer is a much better use of five dollars.

I'm not experienced with bonsai, but I remember being devastated as a kid, and wishing i'd listened. If you like the tree, keep it outside.

It's outside now, thanks.. I do love my cold beers though!!

Yes it should be illegal to sell something which it is not. It was overpriced, but if you are happy then fine, but it will be a long time growing and you may well give up long before that. The views are not elitist, and if you don't like the reply then don't ask the question.
Buying a plant when you don't know what species it is (or ask the seller) and don't know where it should be kept or how to look after it is not the best way.
The only place for it is outside and the best way to get a tree to start styling is to plant in the ground for 3 to 5 years, then pot up and allow another 2 years to settle then you can start working on it.

rolex wrote: Not so sure I agree with the intense elitist sentiment on these forums, however.

Which Elitist sentiment do you see here?

rolex wrote: I don't care if it's a $5 dollar plant or a $50 dollar plant. I like the look of it and that's all I care about.

Which you should

rolex wrote: Frankly I don't understand why everyone is so hung up on the semantics

Because making sure everyone is talking about the same thing is what keeps us talking about the same thing, with the same expectations

rolex wrote:

rolex wrote: No need to make selling these "against the law" as I am sure the kind little old man did not go out of his way just to rip me off of a few dollars

Is is however putting ideas in peoples' head. That you were smart enough to realize this has as much to do with bonsai as a tube of pain has to do with a picasso and that you should not mix them up does not mean everuybody realizes & aknowledges it.

rolex wrote: I do have another question as everybody keeps mentioning to keep it outside -- is that an absolute must?

That is a matter of semantics. You do not have to keep it outside. However, if you want to keep the plant alive, and are unwilling/unable to install a lot of equipment to make your indoors the same humidity, brightness & ventilated as outdoors.. Then yes. you have to keep it outoors.