Types of Bonsai Trees
Generally speaking, there are two types of bonsai, tropical or temperate. Tropical Bonsai trees are native to the warm, tropical climates of the earth. Temperate bonsai are trees that are native to climates which have four seasons. Tropical bonsai, such as Scheflera, Ficus, or Bougainvillea can not adapt to freezing temperature and must be protected against frost. Temperate bonsai like Junipers, Maples, and Elm can survive lower temperatures, but because of the shallow root system, need some protection from the cold.
Making a Choice
There are hundreds of species of trees that you can train to become a bonsai, but an easy one for beginners is the tropical type, such as the Ficus Benjamina Bonsai shown on the left. They grow fast, can be kept indoors, and are easy to wire and trim. If growing your bonsai outdoors it will depend largely on where you live and your normal weather patterns, so selecting a plant which grows naturally in your area is a good idea. When picking a bonsai tree you should look them up by type, browse them by picture and choose one that appeals to you aesthetically. The most important thing to remember is to begin with a healthy speciman.
If you desire to grow your bonsai mainly indoors, choose a plant which tolerates low light and also purchase the necessary items to keep your bonsai happy under indoor conditions, such as grow lights, misters, and humidity trays. You may purchase an already established bonsai or you can purchase "bonsai stock" also known as "pre-bonsai" or even purchase a plant from a nursery or local home center and trim, pot and train it into a bonsai.Go to the next page to view examples of the many styles of bonsai. It will help you decide which style you would like to achieve.