Bonsai starter kits are a great way to get your feet wet in the bonsai world without a big investment.
Usually, these bonsai starter kits will include everything you need to start with: pots, soil, and even some tools for shaping your tree.
They range in price from $10-$150 depending on the type of kit you buy, so it’s easy to find something within your budget!
Don’t forget about potting mix when buying a bonsai starter kit!
Potting mix is what keeps all of the good things like water and nutrients inside the pot where they belong.
If you’re not sure what kind of potting mix to buy or how much you’ll need for one tree, try starting with this pack from Amazon which includes a 5-gallon bucket and enough potting mix for an 11″ tree.
The part that is missing from most beginner kits, however, is the actual instructions on how to take care of your tree. This can be discouraging if you had hopes of having a lush and full bonsai ready to show off in just a month or two. Click on the link above to get the best bonsai tree care tips.
1. A bonsai tree
2. Potting soil
3. Bonsai tools such as wire cutters, pruning shears, a rake, and scissors
4. Fertilizer for the bonsai plant
Let’s discuss these in more detail
If you’re brand new to bonsai trees, it can be difficult choosing the right one for your starter kit. There are a few things to keep in mind though when making this decision:
*What type of tree do you want?
*How extensive is your collection?
*What price range do you want to be in for your first tree?
The answers to these questions will help narrow down the best bonsai tree for a beginner. You also may want to look for specialty stores that can give one-on-one help to new customers with their bonsai tree selection.
Best bonsai for starters are ones with a small leaf size that is easy to maintain. The top five beginner trees I recommend include:
1. Ficus Bonsai – perfect for beginners, the ficus has large leaves and can tolerate high temperatures better than most other bonsai trees on this list.
2. Bonsai trees are in need of frequent pruning and regular watering. Some people think that the main reasons why bonsai plants die are lack of light and water. If you want to know, how much sun does a bonsai tree need , it would be good for you to learn this before starting with your new hobby.
3. Japanese Elm Bonsai are also suitable for beginners.
4. Japanese Maple – The hardy Japanese maple is another excellent choice, with beautiful foliage that can withstand cool temperatures and a wide range of light conditions.
5. Chinese Elm – Perfect for beginners because they have small leaves and grow well indoors out of sunlight if you don’t want to put it outside.
What kind of soil should I choose for my bonsai tree?
When it comes to the right soil for your bonsai, there are three factors to consider:
*Does it have nutrients high in nitrogen and low in phosphorus? (for example, coco husk will be high in nitrogen but low in phosphorus)
*Does it drain well? Bonsai plants need drainage holes at the bottom of their pots.
*Does it have enough oxygen in it?
Other options for your tree’s potting mix include:
Most bonsai starter kits come with some kind of plant food to help get you started but, if you want something better suited for a bonsai tree, I recommend this one .
This plant food has a range of vitamins and minerals that are good for your bonsai’s long term growth and health.
It also includes water-soluble fertilizer which means you can safely use it on all of your indoor/outdoor plants including: tomatoes, roses, coffee beans, berries, orchids, and more.
The next thing to consider depending on your kit is how many tools you get for your money.
Most bonsai starter kits will include a pair of wire cutters to help prune the tree but other options include:
Other options for bonsai starter kit tools include purchasing them separately or getting a toolkit specifically made for bonsai.
If you’re looking to expand your collection in the long term, I highly recommend taking the second option and building a complete set of bonsai tools.
What fertilizer do I use for my bonsai?
There are 3 methods to fertilize your bonsai tree: (click each method below for more information)
*Using a chemical fertilizer
*Using organic plant food – this product is great!
*Mist Method- Using a spray bottle filled with water and plant food, you mist the tree on a weekly basis.
Once your bonsai is in full maturity, you will have to repot it approximately once per year.
This involves taking out the old soil and replacing it with new soil that will help the health of your young plant.
If you’re looking for a way to bring some life and beauty into your home or office, then it might be worth considering getting yourself a bonsai tree.
It doesn’t take much time or effort on your part (depending on the type of plant) but it can make all the difference in how you feel when walking past them every day at work. We know that there are many options out there when picking which kit to get for your first bonsai tree, so we made this list of what is included in bonsai starter kits.
Use this article to get your best bonsai starter kit. You’ll be off to a great start. And don’t forget – enrol in the BONSA programme (it’s FREE) for a better understanding on how to keep your bonsai alive
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