The Brooklyn Botanic Garden just  released its newest Region Guide -  Growing Bonsai Indoors.  This is a comprehensive introduction to tropical, subtropical bonsai growing indoors year-round.

Growing Bonsai Indoors featuring the basics of indoor bonsai care, portraits of 24 great trees for growing indoors and essential pruning techniques plus more. The handy guide is tailored to the needs of first-time bonsai owners and explains step-by-step how to make bonsai flourish inside the average home. Readers will also find a thorough overview of the most common bonsai styles along with advice on styling from renowned experts.

This book would make a great gift and you could also add a starter Bonsai kit.

Starter Kit Make Your Own Bonsai Tree Make your own Bonsai Tree. Everything you need to create your own bonsai tree. Kit includes the following: 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

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Are you running out of gift ideas? Do you want to give the usual home appliance to friends and family? Just imagine receiving something fresh, unique, and far from the usual blender you usually get at weddings and anniversaries. It’s almost certain that you’re gift will truly be appreciated and not be recycled.

A bonsai tree not only has an aesthetic appeal but also exudes a symbolic and enchanting appearance. This gift idea is something fresh, both figuratively and literally speaking.  Its artistic and miniature arrangement makes it a classy gift to give and receive. The time and age aspect possessed by a bonsai tree also makes it unique.

It is an excellent wedding gift for newly weds especially for those who were together for years before getting married. The bonsai tree is a great symbol to represent the number of years that it took the couple to prepare and decide to bind their souls as the perfect match just like it took the bonsai tree years to be pruned and shaped to get to its majestic form.

The bonsai tree is also a great gift for those who have celebrated many magnificent and memorable years together. It can be an anniversary gift that equals the journey that the couple has gone through the years. It can be a reminder of wonderful memories they had and the challenges that they had overcome as their marriage flourished through the years. The couple can also look at it as a symbol of the good years to come. Ultimately, it a great wedding anniversary present because the age of the bonsai tree can equal the number of years the married couple has been together. It is this element that makes it a thoughtful and romantic gift.

There are a many bonsai trees sold as gifts that you can order on the market. These are usually for indoors and table top bonsai trees. You can choose from a variety of single trees or a combination of three to seven trees in one container to make your mini tropical forest garden. When choosing this as a gift, consider the knowledge of the person to whom you are giving the bonsai tree. If he is a bonsai collector you probably don’t need to give him some bonsai tree care tips or a bonsai tool kit. However, if he is clueless about bonsai trees, you may need to think of a bonsai tree that is easier to manage.

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A bonsai kit is a perfect gift for any loved one born with a green thumb. You can either make your own bonsai kit or purchase one from any gardening shop.

Tips for Making and Designing Bonsai Kits
Here’s a list of what your bonsai kit should include:

Bonsai Tree – Before giving away your bonsai kit, do try to determine whether your recipient would wish to have an indoor or outdoor bonsai tree. Secondly, determine which bonsai tree specie you believe your recipient would have the greatest affinity to. As some bonsai tree species are more difficult to grow than others, make sure that you choose the appropriate specie if you’re giving a bonsai kit to a child.

You can make things more interesting however by attaching a note to your bonsai kit about any of the various legends and superstitions associated with bonsai trees.

Pot – You can either design one by yourself or purchase one from the store. As there are various styles, colors, and shapes to choose from, you’re sure to find something that will fit your recipient’s taste without hurting your pockets too much. Make sure of course that you consider the size of your bonsai tree when shopping for a pot.

Soil – Unlike other types of plants, bonsai trees will only grow when a certain type of soil is used. As such, make sure that you not only fill the pot with the specific type of soil for bonsai trees but include one extra package of soil as well in the bonsai kit.

Decorative Supplies – Bonsai trees, pots, and gardens can be decorated in numerous ways. Make sure that you include a bunch of decorative supplies in your bonsai kit to allow your recipient to have more fun with growing their bonsai trees.

Training Wire – This is a must for any novice in bonsai growing. Make sure that you provide an ample supply of them as they’re liable to get it wrong the first few times.

Fertilizer – Again, bonsai trees are unique in the sense that they require occasional fertilizing. Make sure that you provide your recipient with at least a year’s supply of this so they won’t have to make frequent trips to the grocery or gardening shop.

Watering Pot – Bonsai plants need frequent watering so it’s essential that you include a watering pot in your bonsai kit as well. If the budget allows, include a humidity tray as well so they have options to choose from for watering their bonsai plants.

Lastly, place them all inside a gift box together with a detailed instruction sheet. Voila! You’ve just built a complete bonsai kit.

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