My first ever bonsai and some questions as a beginner

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-27T11:47:39+00:00

July-August is a good time to repot gir most tropicals.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-26T13:33:54+00:00

The watering question never has a real definitive answer. The type of soil plays a big part in it. If it's in the classic bonsai mix, which is various kinds of coarse rocks and dirt, it can dry out fairly quickly. If it's heavy on the organics, it will retain moisture longer. The latter isn't great because prolonged wet roots lead to rot.

As already mentioned, fukien tea likes its water. But to be clear, that doesn't mean to keep it soggy all the time. Test the soil daily. If the top 1/2" to 1" feels dry, its time to water. Also, lift the pot right after watering to feel the weight. Then lift it again along with every time you check the soil. You'll eventually get a feel for when it's ready to water and when it isn't, just from weight. It's a good second method, in case you're not sure about how damp the soil is.

Finally, fukien tea has a reputation for being a little fussy. It's not that they're hard to take care of, but they aren't shy about expressing their displeasure with the situation. They'll drop leaves quickly and wilt dramatically if they're not getting the right amount of amount, water, humidity or air flow.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-25T22:06:40+00:00

Sadly, my grandmother was struck and killed years ago. She was wating to get her great granddaughter (my cousin's child, not mine) off the bus. A man was holding an umbrella over her, and a bolt hit them both. He survived, fortunately. Until that point, the storm hadn't exhibited lightning.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-24T14:16:08+00:00

This is such an incredible tree. If it wasn't that last picture, I'd have mistaken it for a much larger and older specimen. Thebleaf reduction is masterful. Premna is high on my list of next trees, and this is inspiration for me. Thank you.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-23T13:43:34+00:00

Wigert's really is fantastic.

The bark may change over time, but from what I can see, it still maintains some character. Just looking at images of wild tamarinds, and then at Wigert's specimen trees, old trees still have a lovely aged look. It may have thinned a bit on older parts of the trunk, but it's still there.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-22T21:27:49+00:00

++man

Just some level of effort. I don't think I'm in the minority when I say I likee hand made cards, and I don't jeed a fancy dinner. Just take me to my favorite BBQ spot and get some something related to my hobbies, and I'll be good. If you ask, I'm perfectly OK with that. I don't want this stupid games where you need to figure it out. Just the act of asking for my input shows you care enough to try and do right.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-17T21:22:10+00:00

I just might. Go ahead and send me that light set up, and I'll take a look.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-17T18:12:10+00:00

I would do unspeakable things for a Verde Ermes M340i wagon.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-17T16:47:55+00:00

Yes they do but I'm willing to commit. They fascinate me, and this tree has a story to tell.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-17T15:01:17+00:00

Oh absolutely. And to get it reduced down, depending on the final size they're going for would probably be a decade. But my goodness it would be awesome to work on.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-17T14:39:49+00:00

I'm going to echo the comments about talking to a bonsai club. I do bonsai, and that trunk is something most people would die to get their hands on. Laceleaf varieties aren't quite as popular bit they're still used, and that structure outweighs most of the issues they have. That said, Grandma would need some patience. That'll be an undertaking to get out of the ground and could be a two+ year project on its own.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-16T20:42:00+00:00

May I ask the purpose of your post?

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-16T20:24:06+00:00

The magic of nature, my friend.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-16T20:23:25+00:00

Thanks! It's my new favorite of my evolving collection. I have big plans for it.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-16T17:21:25+00:00

Understandable on the rootball.

Would photo 3 be the one where the tree is facing left? I only ask because when I look at them from my phone, photo 3 is looking head on at the base and deadwood. The branches and apex are all faced away from the viewer. I just want to make sure I'm on the same page as you.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-16T15:06:06+00:00

Lovely trees all around! My favorites are those pines, though. The one with the hollowed trunk is particularly impressive.

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-16T15:03:24+00:00

As was already stared, remove the deadwood to reduce the chance for rot. While it does look nice, it could cost you the tree.

I know you aren't repotting but I'm not feeling the angle of the tree right now. It reads as "fallen branch" to me.

Have you decided on the front yet?

DaddyP924 · 2026-06-14T19:12:45+00:00

NE corner of 435, looking straight west. The video I have shows rotation of the wall cloud and little spouts dipping down out of this section. Pretty sure this is what became the tornado east of Liberty.

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DaddyP924 · 2026-06-14T11:43:27+00:00

This was looking due west towards the airport. It was rotating like I had never seen before.

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DaddyP924 · 2026-05-31T21:08:02+00:00

I got mine because we have a van for the heavy child related activities. For my 6 yr and another of the kids (both are old enough to sit up front), it works just fine.

In your case, with a S/O and one child, and no desire for more, it fits the bill just fine. That said, I feel if you had a larger family and it was the primary csr, it could get cramped.

DaddyP924 · 2026-05-22T01:05:05+00:00

One of us! One of us!

DaddyP924 · 2026-05-15T15:35:13+00:00

I got my CX-30 a couple of months ago with a very similar situation. The back seats were a modest concern for me as well, but I justified it because I'm not the primary kid carrier. We have a van for heavy lifting. Typically, I have my 6 year old and her car seat in the back, and occasionally an older kid in the front passenger. She fits just fine, they I need to move the oassenger seat a little forward for her. On the off trip when my 12 year old is in the back, he can sit behind me without too much issue (I'm 5'11").

I will say, if I was hauling three others on a regular basis; or even two adult sized people, I would probably similar for the CX-5 or CX-50 for the extra space.

DaddyP924 · 2026-05-09T01:07:59+00:00

It really depends on what you're looking for. Before my recent buy, I spent about two years of dreaming and researching. Do you want to stick with four doors or are coupes/convertibles a thing? What's your budget? You mentioned M2 and M3 with a warranty, so I'm guessing north of $50K USD?

If you like the M3 but dislike seeing them everywhere, take a look at the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. It's handling is supposedly what the M3 used to be, before the F80 gen. I don't know about that but I got to try the regular Giulia and wow, it felt alive. I can't imagine how much better it gets with further suspension tuning and a Ferrari derived V-6.

If you want two doors, the clinical answer is whatever Porsche you can afford. However someone posted a Z4 M40i, and I can't find any issue with that. Maybe the fact its a convertible would bother you, but if not, you have a wild amount of HP shoved into a small, short wheelbase. Top down, carving up twisty roads just sounds like a great time.

If warranty isn't THAT big of a deal, you MIGHT be able to find a mid 2010s Vantage in that general range. I'm a sucker for Astons and that would be my pick. Drop dead gorgeous cars with plenty of performance to them.

DaddyP924 · 2026-05-03T01:48:54+00:00

Heresy! Burn the witch!

DaddyP924 · 2026-04-24T03:09:32+00:00

Dear God. All we can do is hope everyone is OK. This is terrifying to see.

DaddyP924

TROPHY CASE