名媛直播

Hey guys! Jerry Jr is the name of my first bonsai that I'm attempting to grow! I'm not entirely sure what species he is and I was wondering if I have been caring for him properly (I got him from a "grow your own bonsai kit"). He's only a few weeks old, but he's looking good! (I think). I also live in a dorm in SF so I'm not sure how good the conditions are, I was hoping some of you could give me insight into beginner care, and how to keep a sprout going strong! Attachments bellow with my little dude, thanks for the help! Another question, in my apartment we leave the windows open all day and night, will that closely enough resemble the plant being outside? There's nothing close to a balcony for him to hang out on outside.
(Since the images are too large I used gyazo instead to post them)

Jerry Jr, The 名媛直播 wrote: Attachments bellow with my little dude

Please post the pictures on the forum. Hardly anyone is willing to follow links to externalsites.
If the message is that pictures are too large, you know what you need to do.

FYI:
If you don't know what you are growing, you don't know if it is suitable for bonsai. Actually, you will not even know how to care for it.
Starting from seed, without knowing what you have, is probably the worst way to start with this hobby.
Do note there is no such thing as bonsai seed; bonsai kits are nothing more than ordinary seeds with some soil - that you could have purchased elsewhere for less.
Also, when it is a seedling, it is not called a bonsai.

Well first of all, very new to this forum. I don't know how to fix the error without making it incredibly grainy. That's why I used gyazo. (I understand people don't like outside sources but I thought I would try)

Second I found out it's a jack pine, I don't know how acclimated they are for the weather and you failed to mention how growing bonsai in such weather works regardless. (I was asking for someone to identify the species, but it's okay I did it myself.)

Third, sorry I called my seedling a 名媛直播... Like I said, I'm very new to the hobby, and not fully aware of the terminology yet.

Forth. Now that I've identified the species, would you mind detailing basic care instructions besides the basics, such as using bonsai soil, how often to water my seedling etc. more along the lines of care that books and websites can't tell you. Useful information that only a well-versed owner would know.

Thanks for your help,
Josh.
P.S I'll update the pictures when I return home, hopefully they wont be grainy.

Jerry Jr, The 名媛直播 wrote: Second I found out it's a jack pine, I don't know how acclimated they are for the weather and you failed to mention how growing bonsai in such weather works regardless.

I failed to mention... :huh:

You're not growing a bonsai yet, you are growing a jack pine first. The care guidelines for jack pines apply.
Seems you started growing it at the wrong time. You should have started it beginning of the year, so by now it should have been strong enough to get through winter. Pines belong outdoors, of course.

Let the plant grow until it is 6-8 inches tall. Then plant it in a bigger container and place it in your garden (but I'd do that after the winter). Let it grow. You can give it an initial shape by wiring it, but don't do that when the plant is still young and fragile. I'd wait three years. That gives you time to study how to wire and shape pines. Also study how to work the roots - seems Jack Pines are sensitive about that.

Next let it grow, monitor the tree to make sure that the wire doesn't grow in. Remove it before it does.
To speed up the process you could plant it in your garden.

Next, let it grow several years again. Decide how large you want your bonsai to become, and take actions based on that. Again, you have several years to study that. You'll need to focus on growing a trunk.
Good resources are:



To turn your jack pine into a bonsai will take may years, or, if you want a good bonsai, 20 years or more.
I suggest you come back after 3 years and show the status of your pine, so we can advise how to proceed.

Forth. Now that I've identified the species, would you mind detailing basic care instructions besides the basics, such as using bonsai soil, how often to water my seedling etc. more along the lines of care that books and websites can't tell you. Useful information that only a well-versed owner would know.

You do not need bonsai soil.
You water the plant according to its needs. Do not let the soil stay wet, but also don't let it dry out completely.
I use a well draining soil and water daily and thoroughly, when it's warm. It's getting colder now, so I water less.
(I have about 14 black/white pine seedlings, 3 years old now)