Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit

Introduction

I have always been fascinated by bonsai ever since I saw the very first bonsai tree when I was just 8 years old. I still remember the cascading branches and the uniquely-designed trunk. I was amazed at how these masters and growers were able to create a miniature version of regular trees! I was also captivated by how these trees were styled to create different designs.

Back then, I decided to make my own bonsai tree. But back then I was not ready for an actual tree just yet. I wanted to practice and perfect my own strategies first before I finally test it on a real tree.

I purchased a bonsai starter kit to help me out. This is a complete bonsai kit that contained everything that I needed to grow bonsai from seeds to plant markers. The kit even contained four different seeds that I can grow on my own! I was so happy and can’t wait to try the kit out.

I am happy to say that my bonsai is still alive and well and is due to be re-potted anytime soon. I am growing Norway spruce and  Black Poul which I plan to shape after these have become stronger. With my bonsai starter kit, I was able to get to know my bonsai trees better. I plan to grow other lovely trees right after I make sure that these beautiful trees get the best care.

I have five top bonsai starter kits in the market. These have gathered good reviews, top ratings and more. If you are looking for a bonsai kit then one of these will surely make the cut.

Bonsai Overview

“Bonsai” usually calls to mind an image of an artfully shaped little tree in a pretty box with some stones. But Bonsai is much more than just a decorative tree that adds an Asian accent to a room. The name bonsai is Japanese and simply means planting or growing in a tray. In practice, bonsai is much more. Bonsai gardening, to its practitioners, is an art. Its purpose is cultivating life and the space around it which can actually include a wide range of plants, trees and stones. Bonsai trees and their care grew out of a combination of Chinese penjing (the art of landscaping) and Japanese suiseki (the study of stones as objects of beauty). Originating in China, Bonsai was exported to Japan where it was perfected and given the form by which the rest of the world knows it today.

Top 3 Choices

1) Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit

Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit

Get the complete kit that will grow four bonsai trees directly from seeds when you use Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit. This kit looks so great that it can be presented as a gift! This is everything you need to grow a Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine, Black Poul, Norway Spruce and Flame Tree. You also get biodegradable growing pots, expanding soil discs, bamboo plant markers, bonsai clipper and a comprehensive bonsai growing instructional kit. Planters’ Choice is known as the best choice among new growers because their seeds are stored in seed-safe vials to ensure that these will germinate well. The seeds in this kit are guaranteed to grow even if you don’t have a green thumb or this is your first time to grow bonsai as long as you follow all the instructions. The Planters’ Choice Bonsai starter kit comes with a satisfaction guarantee in case you are not completely satisfied with your purchase. This starter kit could be the bonsai kit you have been looking for.

2) Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit

Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit

Try a bonsai starter kit that has all you need to grow delicate bonsai trees for the first time. The Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit is a 43-piece bonsai kit contains 8 different tree seeds that will let you master caring and growing bonsai. You get biodegradable bonsai pots, bonsai soil discs, moisture-proof pots, bonsai seeds in moisture-proof pots, plant markers, bonsai trays, a pair of pruning shears, a pair of stainless steel shaping tweezers and an instruction booklet. You will learn how to plant and care for a bonsai and at the same time enjoy growing different trees. You can plant this any time of the year with no stratification needed. The manual will help guide you in a comprehensive manner. And the Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit is covered by a satisfaction guarantee in case you are not completely satisfied with this kit. This could be the bonsai starting kit you have been searching for.

3) Tinyroots Bonsai Starter Took Kit in Bamboo Box

Tinyroots Bonsai Starter Took Kit in Bamboo Box

New bonsai growers like you will love the Tinyroots Bonsai Tree Starter Tool Kit. This is a bonsai starter kit placed in a lovely bamboo box. This is called the “Anti-Intimidation” kit because this contains all the things you need to grow bonsai even if this is your first time. You will get a pair of traditional butterfly bonsai shears which is ideally used to prune bonsai. You will also get a bottle of MicroTotal Micronutrient Supplement a supplement with 8 essential nutrients that bonsai plants need. You also get a bottle of Neptune’s Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer for a complete fertilization program. And aside from bonsai nutrients, you also get aluminum wires, a traditional figurine, and a lovely bamboo storage box. The Tinyroots Bonsai Starter Took Kit in Bamboo Box could be the right bonsai starter kit for you.

Best Bonsai Start Kit

Who It’s For / Who Should Buy These

Bonsai starter kits are for people who would like to grow bonsai trees from scratch. These kits are for people who want to use a complete set of items needed for growing bonsai. It’s for people new to bonsai growing and those who are just starting to learn how to work with different bonsai principles like feeding, re-potting, watering, pruning, and wiring. Bonsai starter kits are also for anyone who wants to learn how to grow bonsai without intimidation. These kits come with simplified complete instructions on how to grow and care for different bonsai without getting intimidated by your skills and learning. All-in-all, a bonsai starter kit is for anyone who wants to learn how to grow bonsai minus the stress and worries.

Beginners are often intimidated by the long history and the complicated process involved in getting started and finding a balance between the art, theory and actual practice of bonsai gardening. While anyone can begin to practice the art of bonsai, it does take work, daily attention and thoughtfulness that requires a concerted effort by the gardener, especially a beginner. So while intimidation is unnecessary, focus is essential. A bonsai is a potted miniature tree that is made to look like a fully grown outdoor tree after being the subject of various arrangements and discipline. The full desired aesthetic can only be attained with an evenly applied attentiveness to visual appearance and horticultural health and wellness.

The bonsai gardener is always trying to improve the aesthetic and to personalize it to effectively express some element of himself. The personal aspect is evident in the form of the tree and the arrangement in which it is presented. But for the beginner, there are many other concerns as well. They must not only plant their tree and shape it accordingly.

A bonsai gardener has to approach the tree from a holistic approach, paying close attention to its needs and reactions. In order to grow a tree into a certain shape in a more shallow pot and with great emphasis on its appearance, the health of the tree must be robust and all of its environmental conditions optimal. Time has to be put into the bonsai before it is ever even planted. A type of bonsai tree that fits the gardener’s climate, time, space and light conditions is the kind that will suit them the best.

Research is required to find the best breed of tree that will suit the physical conditions and still be able to conform to the bonsai gardener’s ideal image of the tree that will represent their moods and awareness.

Buyer’s Guide

  • What kind of tree do you wish to grow into bonsai?

What type of tree would you like to grow? Most bonsai starter kits come with seeds while some don’t. You will be able to find kits that may carry the seed or seeds that you wish to grow. Simply check out the product information and you will find what’s inside these kits.

  • What type of fertilizer for your bonsai trees?

Most starter kits come with seeds and some form of fertilizer. While some kits may provide information on the type of fertilizer that they include, some may not offer this at all. So as they say, when in doubt; you may opt to use an organic fertilizer product instead of using the fertilizer pack found inside the kit.

  • Would you want to give this as a gift?

Would you want to give this kit as a gift? Make your bonsai starter kit gift more presentable by choosing kits that come in a lovely gift box. Most starter kits come only in regular boxes and only a few come in luxurious gift box packaging.

  • Check for a complete instructional guide

It’s tough to be new to bonsai growing so you need a complete guide to help you out. Check out reviews about the kit’s bonsai growing guide. It has to have comprehensive coverage to be able to provide good information for people who are new to bonsai. It has to have information pertaining to feeding, watering, re-potting, pruning and so on.

Review of Top 3 Bonsai Starter Kits

1) Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit

Description

Beginner bonsai growers need a complete kit that will improve your growing skills and confidence. A complete set that comes with four easy to use seeds is in the Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit. This kit is complete and at the same time very presentable, it can be a gift for anyone who loves bonsai. This contains everything you need to grow a Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine, Black Poul, Norway Spruce and Flame Tree. In this set you get biodegradable growing pots, expanding soil discs, bamboo plant markers, bonsai clipper and a comprehensive instructional kit. Planters’ Choice has tree seeds that are stored in seed-safe vials to ensure that these germinate well. The seeds are guaranteed to grow even if you are doing this hobby first time to grow bonsai as long as you follow all the instructions. The Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit comes with a satisfaction guarantee in case you are not completely satisfied with your purchase. This could be the bonsai kit you need to start your bonsai hobby.

Product Information

  • With 4 bonsai tree seeds
  • Seeds are stored in seed-safe vials for improved germination
  • With a comprehensive growing guide
  • With bamboo plant markers
  • With expanding soil discs
  • With bonsai clippers
  • Includes seeds from Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine, Black Poul, Norway Spruce and Flame Tree
  • Bonsai DIY kit
  • No stratification needed for seeds
  • Can be grown indoors or outdoors
  • With 100% satisfaction guarantee

Features and Benefits

  • This bonsai starter kit has special seed-safe vials to house seeds

Anything can happen to your seeds in transit. These need a good container to preserve its viability. This kit has seeds inside seed safe vials which are containers that will not be affected by light or moisture because of these trigger germination.

  • This bonsai starter kit has seeds that don’t require stratification.

No need to spend time working on your seeds so that these will germinate in time and there is no need to wait too long too. The seeds that come with this guide are easy to grow and germinate and won’t need additional chemicals or methods to grow.

  • This bonsai starter kit can be grown indoors or outdoors

This starter kit can be grown in any environment, indoors or outdoors. But of course, you need to consider the natural growing environment of the trees that you want to grow. Some trees require full sun, outdoor humidity or partial shade to grow. You must, therefore, learn all you can about the plant or tree that you want to grow.

  • This bonsai starter kit is ideal for beginners and those who have never grown bonsai before.

The best thing about this starter kit is that it will teach you all about the basic aspects of growing bonsai. This is the fact that you have never grown any kind of bonsai before. All the tools you need are here and the seeds are easy to germinate and will grow into healthy and forgiving trees.

Conclusion

The Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit is a complete bonsai starter kit that will be great for people who have no experience with growing bonsai. This kit looks so great that it can be presented as a gift. This contains everything you need to grow bonsai as well as seeds from a Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine, Black Poul, Norway Spruce and Flame Tree. This contains basic things to grow and cultivate bonsai like biodegradable growing pots, expanding soil discs, bamboo plant markers, bonsai clipper and a comprehensive bonsai growing instructional kit. A unique thing about Planters’ Choice is that their seeds are stored in seed-safe vials to ensure that these will germinate. The seeds in this kit are guaranteed to grow as long as you follow the detailed instructions that come with this set. The Planters’ Choice Bonsai starter kit has a satisfaction guarantee in case you are not completely satisfied with your purchase. This starter kit has a few flaws but still could be the bonsai kit you have been looking for.

2) Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit

Description

Use a bonsai starter kit that has all you need to grow perfect bonsai trees even if you have never cultivated a bonsai before with the Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit. This is a 43-piece bonsai kit with 8 different tree seeds that will let you master the art of caring and growing bonsai. Each set has biodegradable bonsai pots, bonsai soil discs, moisture-proof pots, bonsai seeds in moisture-proof pots, plant markers, bonsai trays, a pair of pruning shears, a pair of stainless steel shaping tweezers and an instruction booklet. You will be able to plant and care for bonsai and at the same time enjoy growing different trees as well. You will be able to plant seeds minus any stratification which can complicate seed germination. This comes with a manual that will help guide you from growing to pruning and wiring bonsai. The Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit is covered by a satisfaction guarantee in case you are not completely satisfied with this product. This could be the bonsai starting kit you have been looking for.

Product Information

  • 43-piece starter kit
  • Double the number of seeds and supplies compared to other companies
  • With biodegradable bonsai pots
  • With bonsai soil discs
  • With 8 bonsai seed varieties
  • With moisture-proof vials
  • With plant markers
  • With a pair of pruning shears
  • With a pair of stainless steel shaping tweezers and instruction booklet
  • With PDF instructions
  • Easy to plant and grow seeds
  • No seed stratification needed
  • Seeds are non-GMO
  • Seeds stored in moisture-proof vials
  • Seeds included are from Delonix regala, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Pinus aristata, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus religiosa, Ulmus religiosa and Enterolobium cyclocarpum.
  • With a money back guarantee

Features and Benefits

  • This bonsai starter kit contains viable and non-GMO seeds

All the seeds that come with this kit are safe and viable. You only need to follow instructions to germinate seeds and you are on your way to grow new trees.

  • This bonsai starter kit has all the equipment you need

All the equipment you need to grow a variety of bonsai trees is available in one kit. You don’t have to purchase more materials or equipment and certainly no need to buy seeds which can end up poor quality seeds.

  • This bonsai starter kit will be perfect even for people who have not grown bonsai before

This bonsai kit will work even for people like you who have never grown bonsai before. You will never have to worry about not having a green thumb or forgetting about materials because everything you need and more are found here.

  • This bonsai starter kit has twice the number of seed varieties than other products

There is no doubt that this seed kit has more seeds than other popular kits. With eight different kinds of trees, you will become a pro at growing bonsai in no time.

  • This bonsai starter kit comes with a complete, comprehensive guide

Another great thing about this kit is that it comes with a comprehensive guide which will help you grow and cultivate bonsai from scratch. It provides top tips on bonsai caring and shaping as well so basically, you are ready to grow different bonsai any time.

Conclusion

The Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit is a 43-piece bonsai kit with 8 different tree seeds that will let you learn and master the art of caring and growing bonsai. This set will give you biodegradable bonsai pots, bonsai soil discs, moisture-proof pots, bonsai seeds in moisture-proof pots, plant markers, bonsai trays, a pair of pruning shears, a pair of stainless steel shaping tweezers plus a comprehensive instruction booklet. These seeds are fertile and can be grown any time of the year with no stratification needed. The comprehensive manual that comes with this set will guide you in everything there is to know about bonsai. The Ashbrook Outdoors Bonsai Starter Kit is covered by a satisfaction guarantee. There may be a few disadvantages of using this bonsai starter kit but it could be the one you have been looking for.

3) Tinyroots Bonsai Starter Took Kit in Bamboo Box

Tinyroots Bonsai Starter Took Kit in Bamboo Box

Description

New bonsai growers like you will love the Tinyroots Bonsai Tree Starter Tool Kit. This is a bonsai starter kit placed in a lovely bamboo box. This is called the “Anti-Intimidation” kit because this contains all the things you need to grow bonsai even if this is your first time. You will get a pair of traditional butterfly bonsai shears which is ideally used to prune bonsai. You will also get a bottle of MicroTotal Micronutrient Supplement a supplement with 8 essential nutrients that bonsai plants need. You also get a bottle of Neptune’s Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer for a complete fertilization program. And aside from bonsai nutrients, you also get aluminum wires, a traditional figurine, and a lovely bamboo storage box. The Tinyroots Bonsai Starter Took Kit in Bamboo Box may be the bonsai starter kit that’s right for you.

Product Information

  • With 101 Bonsai Tips Book
  • Comes with butterfly shears
  • With MicroTotal Micronutrient Supplement
  • With fertilizer, aluminum wire
  • With Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer (2-3-1)
  • Comes with mudman figurine
  • Stored in a bamboo box
  • Can be presented as a gift

Features and Benefits

  • This bonsai starter kit comes with a handy butterfly shears

You will be able to grow your own bonsai and shape it according to the style you want with the easy to use handy butterfly shears that come with this kit. This type of shears is the perfect trimming tool that will help you shape and trim your trees. And since it true to Japanese tradition, you can learn the art of creating different bonsai designs in no time.

  • This bonsai starter kit comes with a comprehensive tips book

You will appreciate the comprehensive tips book that comes with this kit. You will learn different techniques to bonsai growing as well as tips on how to trim, prune and wire your trees.

  • This bonsai starter kit comes with supplements and fertilizer

Only a few bonsai kits come with supplements and fertilizer and the ones that come with this kit are even branded fertilizer brands. These will provide nutrients that your trees need to grow stronger and healthier. But make sure to read manufacturer’s instructions on how to use fertilizer before using one on your bonsai.

  • This bonsai starter kit is stored inside a lovely bamboo storage box

The bamboo storage box makes this a great gift idea. You can give this as a housewarming present or a thank you gift. This is perfect for anyone who would like to learn how to grow bonsai perfectly.

Conclusion

The Tinyroots Bonsai Tree Starter Tool Kit. This is a bonsai starter kit that comes in a lovely bamboo box. This is called the “Anti-Intimidation” kit because this has all the things you need to grow delicate bonsai.  You will get a pair of traditional butterfly bonsai shears which is used specifically to prune bonsai. Aside from tree maintenance materials, you will also get a bottle of MicroTotal Micronutrient Supplement and a bottle of Neptune’s Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer for a complete fertilization program. You will also user aluminum wires, a traditional figurine, and a lovely bamboo storage box. The Tinyroots Bonsai Starter Took Kit in Bamboo Box may be right bonsai starter kit for you.

4) JM Bamboo Bonsai Tree Starter Kit

Description

This is a different bonsai tree starting kit because instead of using seeds, this comes with a living and breathing 4-year old Petite Japanese, Juniper Bonsai Tree. You will be able to practice as soon as you get your package. The plant comes with a ceramic pot, figurine, training wires, decorative pebbles potting mix and things that you plant needs like training wire, decorative pebbles, potting mix, drainage holes cover and an instructional booklet. The JM Bamboo Tree Starter Kit could be the bonsai starter kit you have been waiting for.

Product Information

  • Comes with a 4-year old tree for bonsai making
  • With ceramic pot and training wire
  • With decorative pebbles and stones
  • Comes with potting mix and correct pots

Features and Benefits

  • This bonsai starter kit has an actual live plant to use

Unlike other bonsai kits that come only with seeds, you get to start with an actual live plant. This is exciting in such a way that you can already start on making bonsai as soon as your order arrives.

  • This bonsai starter kit comes with correct ceramic pots

The pots that come with this kit have adequate drainage holes and just the right size for growing a good bonsai tree. You will be able to confidently re-pot your tree without worries when you use pots that are standard or recommended to the type of tree you get.

  • This bonsai starter kit is easy to use

This is one of the easiest starter bonsai kits to use because it comes complete with everything you need. There is no need to purchase more tools or supplies because what you need to grow this type of bonsai is found here.

  • This bonsai starter kit lets you learn how to care for bonsai fast

You will be able to learn how to care for a bonsai plant when you use this kit. Caring for bonsai requires the right tools, skills, and patience. The right tools and materials are provided to you. It’s up to you to improve your skills and your talent to grow different types of bonsai trees.

Conclusion

The JM Bamboo Bonsai Tree Starter Kit is different because instead of using seeds, this comes with a living 4-year old Petite Japanese, Juniper Bonsai Tree. You will be able to practice as soon as soon as it arrives home. Your order also comes with a ceramic pot, figurine, training wires, decorative pebbles potting mix and everything your bonsai tree needs such as training wire, decorative pebbles, potting mix, drainage holes cover and instructional manual. The JM Bamboo Bonsai Tree Starter Kit has received a few complaints from users online bus still this may be the bonsai starter kit for you.

5) Garden Republic Bonsai Tree Seed Starter Kit

Description

Practice growing a bonsai tree with a starter kit that contains everything you need like the Garden Republic Bonsai Plant Growing Kit. This kit has 4 types of seeds, potting soil, recycled bamboo posts, pruning shears, scissor tool, plant markers, and instructions. All of these are in a special wooden gift box. The seeds here are non-GMO and are all grown in the USA. Included in this kit are the Jacaranda mimosifolia, Brazilian Rosewood, Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine, Pinus aristat and the Delonix regla Flame Tree. You won’t make a mistake in using the Garden Republic bonsai starter kit because seeds here will grow well and are free from diseases. This could be a gift as well because of its unique storage box. This is covered by a 100% no questions asked refund.

Product Information

  • Comes with 4 types of seeds
  • Seeds inside airtight packages
  • With bonsai potting soil mix
  • With plant markers
  • With free detailed eBook
  • Seeds are non-GMO and grown in the US
  • Covered by a money back guarantee

Features and Benefits

  • This bonsai starter kit comes with more seed varieties

This kit definitely lets you cultivate a variety of seeds so you can have experience on how to care for different bonsai trees. All the seeds here are easy to grow and manage so you won’t really have to worry about growing bonsai for the first time.

  • This bonsai starter kit comes with all the basic things to use

You have everything you need to grow bonsai; you have tools, pots, soil, and seeds. You don’t need to purchase additional equipment. And since the seeds are easy to grow, you can start cultivating your own bonsai garden at any time.

  • This bonsai starter kit is easy to use

The kit is pretty easy to use and you don’t have to have special skills to do so. But in any bonsai tree growing, you need to have the patience to care for your plants and patience to perfect your skills.

  • This bonsai starter kit has a comprehensive instruction booklet

The booklet that comes with this guide is complete with all the instructions you need to grow your plants. You can use these to grow the seeds you have in the kit and for future reference as well. This would make a good starting guide to growing more bonsai trees in the future.

Conclusion

The Garden Republic Bonsai Plant Growing Kit will let you practice growing bonsai. This kit has 4 types of seeds as well as everything that the seeds need to grow like potting soil, recycled bamboo posts, pruning shears, scissor tool, plant markers, and instructions. All of these are encased in a special wooden gift box. The seeds here are non-GMO and are all grown in the USA. You won’t make a mistake in using the Garden Republic bonsai starter kit because seeds here will grow well even if you have never grown bonsai before. There are a few flaws with this starter kit but still, it remains as one of the best starter kits to use.

Reviews / Testimonials

According to online users and social media, the Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit is the best bonsai starter kit. There are many reasons why this is so but for one it is regarded as the best-looking and therefore it may be presented as a gift! This contains everything you need to grow a Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine, Black Poul, Norway Spruce and Flame Tree. These qualities have made it a popular among people who would like to grow bonsai for the first time. Planters’ Choice is known as the best choice among new growers because their seeds are stored in seed-safe vials to ensure that these will germinate well. The seeds in this kit are guaranteed to grow even if you don’t have a green thumb or this is your first time to grow bonsai as long as you follow all the instructions. Planters’ Choice Bonsai starter kit comes with a satisfaction guarantee in case you are not completely satisfied with the product you can get your money back. This starter kit may have a few flaws but still, it remains a good kit to try as you learn how to grow bonsai perfectly.

Alternative Bonsai Starter Kits

1) Nature’s Blossom Bonsai Garden Seed Starter Kit

Nature’s Blossom Bonsai Garden Seed Starter Kit

Nature’s Blossom Bonsai Garden Seed Starter Kit is a bonsai growing kit that lets you learn how to grow 4 different types of miniature trees. This is a complete gardening set which includes soil, planting pots, plant labels, and a complete growing guide. This set is everything you need to grow bonsai trees like the Jacaranda mimosifolia, Pinus aristata, Delonix regla and the Picea mariana. These seeds are guaranteed to have high germination rates, 100% organic, non-GMO and contain no additives. This kit makes a great gift and gives you a good starting point at bonsai growing if you want to pursue this as a hobby or pastime. This kit is covered with a satisfaction guarantee; you get your money back if you are not satisfied with the results. Nature’s Blossom Bonsai Garden Seed Starte3r Kit could be the right bonsai starting kit for you.

2) Plant Theatre Bonsai Trio Kit

Plant Theatre Bonsai Trio Kit

This bonsai kit contains all the things that you will need to grow a basic bonsai tree. The Plant Theater Bonsai Kit contains three distinctive seeds like the Silver Birch, Red Maple, and the Mountain Pine. You also get growing pots, peat blocks, plant markers and sealable propagator bags. You will get a sowing and growing tips book with this bonsai growing kit. You will be able to grow these tree lovely bonsai trees when you follow the instructions closely. This could make a wonderful gift or a good first-time bonsai kit for anyone who would like to pursue bonsai growing.

3) Japanese Kingsville Boxwood Make Your Own Bonsai Tree

Japanese Kingsville Boxwood Make Your Own Bonsai Tree

This kit includes everything a beginner could need:

  • Glazed ceramic imported container
  • Japanese Kingsville Boxwood Bonsai Tree
  • Annealed training wire
  • Multi-colored textured rock
  • Decorative pebbles for the soil
  • Ceramic miniature figurine
  • Humidity/drip tray
  • Traditional bonsai shears
  • Slow release fertilizer pellets
  • Book: 101 Essential Tips on Bonsai

4) Juniper Procumbens Make Your Own Bonsai Tree

Juniper Procumbens Make Your Own Bonsai Tree

This starter kit gets the beginner going on their own juniper:

  • Glazed ceramic imported container
  • Juniper Procumbens Nana (3 years old)
  • Annealed copper training wire
  • Bonsai tree soil (conifer mix)
  • Fiberglass drainage hole covers
  • Multi-colored textured rock
  • Separate typewritten instructions for potting, training and maintenance
  • Ceramic miniature figurine
  • humidity/drip tray
  • Plastic plant marker

5) Shimpaku Juniper Make Your Own Bonsai Tree

Shimpaku Juniper Make Your Own Bonsai Tree

Another juniper kit to get the beginner started, includes:

  • Glazed ceramic imported container
  • Shimpaku Juniper Bonsai Tree
  • Annealed training wire
  • Multi-colored textured rock
  • Decorative pebbles for the soil
  • Ceramic miniature figurine
  • Humidity/drip tray
  • Traditional bonsai shears
  • Slow release fertilizer pellets
  • Book: 101 Essential Tips on Bonsai

6) Chinzan Azalea Make Your Own Bonsai Kit

Chinzan Azalea Make Your Own Bonsai Tree

This is for getting started with a more flowery shrub-type bonsai and includes:

  • Glazed ceramic imported container
  • Chinzan Azalea Bonsai Tree
  • Annealed training wire
  • Multi-colored textured rock
  • Decorative pebbles for the soil
  • Ceramic miniature figurine
  • Humidity/drip tray
  • Traditional bonsai shears
  • Slow release fertilizer pellets
  • Book: 101 Essential Tips on Bonsai

Alternative Bonsai Starter Kits Comparison Table

Books, Videos and References

For easily accessible research, books and videos allow the user to pause and refer back to sections while choosing a plant, while potting and for any questions. Here are some of the most helpful reference books and videos for beginners.

Bonsai Video Instructional Guide VHS format

This instructional guide from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s experts helps beginners from selection through shaping and pruning with exhibitions and helpful details. Easy to use and refer to repeatedly.

Bonsai Basics by Christian Pessey and Remy Samson

This book is aimed right at beginners. It has elementary and easy to follow instructions for everything the beginner knows plus plainly stated explanations of the tradition and theory on which bonsai is based. It contains over 200 pictures and additional instructional drawings.

Indoor Bonsai for Beginners – Selection, Care and Training by Werner M. Busch

This book is perfect for beginners because it starts with selection, which can be the most important decision a gardener just starting out makes. It fully discusses soil and soil selection too plus many other health and shaping basics.

101 Essential Tips on Bonsai by Harry Tomlinson

This book is like a compilation of the answers to all of the questions beginners and even intermediate bonsai enthusiasts have. It is broken down into quick to read and grasp bullet points and over 100 color photographs.

Bonsai Workshop – Styling and Training by Herb L. Gustafson

This book is a thorough through and through guide for beginners to intermediate bonsai gardeners. It gives clear instruction for creating, caring and displaying a bonsai tree.

How to Create Tree Sculpture – Wire Bonsai Sculpture Book

For beginners who want to jump right into training and shaping after they have learned about and repotted their tree, this book is a fully illustrated step-by-step guide that teaches basic styles, the tools needed and exactly how to get that shape in the type of tree. It is a very clear manual for starting to use wire right from the beginning through the final product of the molded tree.

How to Create Tree Sculpture

Once the basics are down and the tree is selected, the beginner bonsai gardener has to start investing time and openness. This means after the book learning about potting and the type of tree, the general water and light needs and soil, the gardener must get to know his own tree. This takes attentiveness to the tree’s reaction to the actual application of light, the amount of water required and the effect of the temperature. The soil can also be a trial and error effort as the gardener finds the exact mix of elements that makes their tree thrive. And patience is another important trait for the bonsai gardener to practice as they must wait to see the effects of alterations or changes, and wait for the tree to be healthy enough to trim and shape into the expression they desire. Risks have to be assumed as well, as the gardener adds or subtracts water or minerals, or makes root or branch adjustments that can possibly change the shape or progression of their tree.

In all, Bonsai is an art, a practice which has to be undertaken with a great deal of openness and a willingness to learn. First, the gardener must learn about all of the physical details that will make their tree thrive and grow into the shapes they desire. Second, the bonsai gardener must embrace the mindset of bonsai and the character traits it requires to be successful and fulfilling as well as achieving the aesthetic the art requires.

A starter kit is a great way to get the tree growing in the right direction and help the bonsai gardener get right into both the physical and metaphysical aspects of the art of bonsai.

Conclusion

Based on this review, the Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit is the best bonsai growing kit. There are many reasons why it ranks over other products but the best has to be because of the results. Many users found this starter kit to be easy to use and seeds easy to grow.

The kit looks so great that it can be presented as a gift which is another plus for many users. This kit contains everything you need to grow a Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine, Black Poul, Norway Spruce and Flame Tree making this a good starter growing kit for first-time bonsai growers.

This bonsai planting kit also contains all the things that you can ever need to grow bonsai. Many users remarked that they did not have to spend so much money on bonsai growing tools as well. You get biodegradable growing pots, expanding soil discs, bamboo plant markers, bonsai clipper and a comprehensive bonsai growing instructional kit.

Another reason why Planters’ Choice is the best choice among new growers is that it ships seeds in seed-safe vials to ensure that these will germinate well. The seeds are guaranteed to grow as long as you follow all the instructions.

The Planters’ Choice Bonsai starter kit comes with a satisfaction guarantee in case you are not completely satisfied with the product. You can get your money back with no questions asked. There are a few flaws as well with using Planters’ Choice but still, this starter kit could be the bonsai kit you may have been searching for.