If you are ready to grow your very first bonsai tree it is important to make a decision which stage of bonsai tree development you want to start with. You can grow bonsai from ground layerings, cuttings, seeds or from bonsai gardening shop. If you are just starting out you should probably stick with developing your own bonsai from cuttings.

The sooner phase of bonsai tree development cycle you begin with the harder it will be to keep the bonsai tree alive. Consider that if you start out with the seed you will have to create perfect conditions for the bonsai tree to live through. Beginning with a cuttings will be thus less difficult because the tree has already passed the most crucial stage of its own life-cycle.

But let's have a look at each and every technique in much more depth. It doesn't necessarily mean you can't have a beautiful bonsai even though you start out from a seed.

1.) Growing bonsai out of cuttings

If you are a bonsai novice this is certainly probably the fastest way to go unless you want to buy a ready bonsai from bonsai gardening shop. Good thing about this method is that the most important stage of growing bonsai has ended. Additionally it is easier to prune the bonsai tree because the cuttings by now reveal how the tree really wants to develop.

However for many people waiting period for the tree to grow out of cuttings to its full beauty will be too long and they decide to obtain a ready bonsai instead. It might take up to 3 years to get your first bonsai.

2.) Growing bonsai from layering

An additional method similar to the first one is to start growing bonsai from ground or air layerings. This method requires shorter time to see your bonsai grow to its full potential. In this stage it is possible to already see the tree composition so cuttings unwanted branches is going to be a fairly easy job.

3.) Bonsai tree from seed

In a similar way like becoming a parent and experiencing your kid grow from the very fist second it is conceived growing bonsai tree from seed can be a similar experience in certain manner. Quite a few experienced bonsai tree designers pick this option as it is the most gratifying for them.

Do not forget that it may take up to 4 years to have your bonsai in the same shape like when purchased from a shop. And if you're a novice your bonsai may not survive unless you set up good conditions from the start.

Regardless of which option you select you'll have loads of fun watching your little tree develop and mature.