The Beauty of Bonsai Styles • Hacker News Board

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#31

Post by eudamoniac » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 4:12 PM UTC

badc0ffee wrote: post #5

I find bonsai fascinating, even if I would never be willing to put in the time and care required to do it myself. I had the pleasure of seeing the bonsai collection in the Gardens at HCP (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific) in Victoria, BC, Canada recently. They have many different species of trees, and something like 60 individual trees in total. Well worth seeing, and the cafe just outside the entrance is nice too.

I would just like to note, that you don't have to "put in" hardly any time or care. Maybe three hours per year? You just have to be very patient. Amateur bonsai is pretty easy, it just takes forever.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#32

Post by lightedman » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 4:15 PM UTC

Don't forget to include your suiseki.

I have several, extremely hard to find ones, high-silica volcanic ejecta found in silica-poor environments (like basalt) that are very prized by bonsai artists. I've had offers of tens of thousands of dollars for an organic-looking rock.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#33

Post by naet » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC

jamiecurle wrote: post #16

As well as a software person I'm an arborist as a side hustle. I love bonsai and I have started a few off myself in my garden (technically this makes them 'niwaki' - in garden, rather than 'bonsai' - in a pot. I went with scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, Wych Elm - Ulnus glabra and Quercus robur - english oak) as they're all native to where I live. But I am somewhat conflicted because as awesome as they look, all that a…

I think it's a mixed bag. In some ways you are manipulating the tree in a way that could be harmful (trimming, putting in small pots, wiring etc). But in other ways you end up providing much more care and attention to your bonsai than you would for another tree.

As a beginner you probably will accidentally kill some trees though.

I don't really have space to grow 5 Cyprus and Juniper trees, and my landlord probably wouldn't appreciate it... but I can care for a dozen bonsai.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#34

Post by famahar » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 5:18 PM UTC

Interesting seeing this thread. I just bought a bonsai yesterday at a market in Tokyo. They were selling it for only 1000 yen. It's only after I bought it that I realized that it takes a lot of attention and care to keep these alive. The seller said this it was 10 years old. Felt the sudden immense pressure to keep it living. It has been a nice week of tending to it in the mornings though. No longer use the phone in the mornings. It's strait to the balcony to check up on the bonsai. Much better for the mind.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#35

Post by naet » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 5:32 PM UTC

Malcolmlisk wrote: post #3

My colleagues gave me a bonsai when I left the company. I loved it and it was georgeous. When I switched to my actual house, the bonsai felt it and started to dry out. I could not stop it, and even transplanting it to better soil and placing him in another room. It never went up. Right now I don't know if its alive anymore, and makes me very sad.

Try putting it outside for a while if you can. Most bonsai are meant to live outside really.

Sometimes a very dead looking tree can spring back to life if given the right conditions. But other times a tree can enter a death spiral that seems hard to stop.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#36

Post by madcaptenor » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 6:23 PM UTC

bwiggs wrote: post #26

Longwood Gardens ( https://longwoodgardens.org/ ) is one of the most incredible public gardens in the US, and maybe the world. If you are in the Philadelphia/West Chester/Kennet Square area, do not miss the opportunity to check them out! The Conservatory (and the new West Conservatory) is stunning. Checkout their summer concert and fireworks series for something family friendly. The Chimes Tower District reminds me o…

Seconded. They also have an excellent pipe organ; I'd recommend checking their web site to see when someone will be playing it.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#37

Post by dpflug » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 6:29 PM UTC

doubledamio wrote: post #12

Growing bonsai is still on my hobby wishlist, but I haven’t been able to provide the stability it requires due to work : even keeping regular plants alive for a few years was impossible. Has anyone here started from scratch? I would appreciate it if someone could share their experience and point me to some relevant online content.

You might check out bonchi. Using bonsai techniques with chili plants can get you pleasant results quickly.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#38

Post by motoroco » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 6:54 PM UTC

if you live in the PNW and would like to see some world class bonsai in person, the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way is a great destination. this time of year is also good for visiting the neighboring rhododendron and azalea garden

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#39

Post by porknubbins » Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 3:40 AM UTC

jamiecurle wrote: post #16

As well as a software person I'm an arborist as a side hustle. I love bonsai and I have started a few off myself in my garden (technically this makes them 'niwaki' - in garden, rather than 'bonsai' - in a pot. I went with scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, Wych Elm - Ulnus glabra and Quercus robur - english oak) as they're all native to where I live. But I am somewhat conflicted because as awesome as they look, all that a…

I feel the same way. I really enjoyed bonsai when I lived in a small rental, and now that I can plant actual trees it just seems so much more exciting to watch something big and healthy that has a real presence compared to a small tree on life support in a tray.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#40

Post by brewtide » Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 3:41 PM UTC

jamiecurle wrote: post #16

As well as a software person I'm an arborist as a side hustle. I love bonsai and I have started a few off myself in my garden (technically this makes them 'niwaki' - in garden, rather than 'bonsai' - in a pot. I went with scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, Wych Elm - Ulnus glabra and Quercus robur - english oak) as they're all native to where I live. But I am somewhat conflicted because as awesome as they look, all that a…

I've long wanted to 'get into bonsai' and had mentioned this 'bonsai retirement plan' to my middle-school aged kids (who are also very intrigued by bonsai...) -- Nice to see that my assumed 'silly' concept is likely not the worst 'investment' concept and shared by others! (With all of the real world benefits of learning and appreciation of time all wrapped up together!)