Alessa

I got my uncle a bonsai starter kit, specifically a maple. But I have no clue on when to plant, how to plant where to plant... etc. I want to help him out, but I want to do it right. I have been reading online, but I still wanted to ask any personal experiences around here

ShaynaB

Umm, my experience with a bonsai tree:

I successfully killed one in a week.

How I did that, I have no idea. I'm usually good with plants. :P

Darn tree...

Haha

sirdarksol

Plant it whenever. I don't remember if maples need to go through a cold period, but if they do, you can use the fridge to do so.
Start out with a little planter thing (like the peat moss tabs), or you can start the seed directly in the pot.
Water a little bit every day (this is the most important thing. I've killed more trees this way)

Alessa

what about lighting? i dont have many sunny places and I would like to leave it inside, even if I have to put it in the fridge...

the whole root thing is killing me, as well as the lighting... thanks for the responses guys

sirdarksol

Lighting is pretty undemanding. Because bonsai plants aren't given as much fertilizer as normal plants, they don't need a ton of light.

What about the roots are bugging you?

Alessa

the way to "cut" them... i am afraid to do something wrong... and then woot! dead tree!

sirdarksol

You shouldn't have to worry about that. It's usually at the one year point (or once the tree is big enough to survive a mistake in cutting the roots, whichever comes last) that you start with that.
For the time being, get the seed started however you this type of maple started (if you got a kit, there should be instructions as far as that goes. If not, I can probably dig mine up) and get it planted in the potting mix. Keep it watered and let it grow for a bit. Once it's big enough to survive some manipulation, then worry about the other stuff. They're pretty hardy when they get bigger.

Alessa

Ok... im starting this weekend then... i'll keep you guys posted and add pics as soon as the tree starts growing! thanks!

Red1313

good luck!
I miss my tree, my boyfriend got it for me for valatines day last year. Unfortunatly it wasn't a "leafy" one and I left it to my mom's care this summer and she thought it was dead and didn't water it period... it really was dead when I got home a month later. sigh... maybe I'll have to try another one some time.