Common Beginner Mistakes (And How I Made Every Single One)

Let me save you from the mistakes that cost me several trees:

Mistake #1: Improper Watering (80% of Deaths)

The problem: Either drowning your tree (overwatering leading to root rot) or letting it completely dry out.

How I learned: My first bonsai died from overwatering. I watered every day “just to be safe.” The roots rotted, leaves yellowed, and within weeks it was dead.

The solution:

• Check soil moisture daily with finger test
• Only water when needed, not on schedule
• Ensure proper drainage holes
• Use appropriate bonsai soil

Mistake #2: Keeping Outdoor Species Indoors

The problem: Buying a Juniper or Japanese Maple thinking it’s a houseplant.

How I learned: Year three, I brought my Juniper inside for winter “to protect it.” It died slowly over three months despite my best care. Junipers NEED winter dormancy.

The solution:

• Research whether your species is indoor or outdoor BEFORE buying
• Outdoor species must stay outside year-round (with some winter protection)
• If you want indoor bonsai, choose tropical species only

Mistake #3: Insufficient Light

The problem: Placing your bonsai in a decorative corner with low light.

How I learned: Beautiful Chinese Elm, perfect spot on my bookshelf… in a dark corner. It stretched toward the window, lost leaves, and never looked right.

The solution:

• Indoor bonsai need bright windows (5-6 hours indirect light)
• Outdoor bonsai need 6+ hours direct sun
• When stems stretch and leaves pale = needs more light
• Use grow lights if necessary

Mistake #4: Using Regular Potting Soil

The problem: Using hardware store potting mix instead of proper bonsai soil.

How I learned: First tree. Didn’t know better. The dense soil retained too much water, roots couldn’t breathe, tree developed root rot.

The solution:

• ALWAYS use proper bonsai soil mix
• Buy pre-mixed from bonsai nursery
• It’s worth the extra $10-20
• Your tree’s life depends on proper drainage

Mistake #5: Over-Pruning Too Soon

The problem: Getting scissor-happy in month one and removing too much foliage.

How I learned: Beautiful Chinese Elm. Excited about styling. Removed over 50% of foliage to “create the perfect shape.” Tree went into shock, barely recovered.

The solution:

• Never remove more than 30% of foliage at once
• Wait 3-6 months before major pruning on new trees
• Start with maintenance pruning (dead growth, minor shaping)
• Major structural work comes after you understand your tree’s growth patterns

Mistake #6: Forgetting to Fertilize

The problem: Assuming the small amount of soil has enough nutrients.

How I learned: Trees would grow slowly, leaves would pale, overall vigor would decline. Took me embarrassingly long to connect it to lack of feeding.

The solution:

• Small pots = limited nutrients
• Feed weekly during growing season (Spring/Summer)
• Use balanced fertilizer
• Stop or reduce in winter
• Set calendar reminders

Mistake #7: Neglecting Pest Inspection

The problem: Not checking for pests until it’s a major infestation.

How I learned: Spider mites decimated a Ficus because I didn’t notice them until leaves were falling off.

The solution:

• Weekly visual inspection (takes 30 seconds)
• Look under leaves for pests
• Check for webbing, sticky residue, leaf discoloration
• Treat immediately with neem oil or insecticidal soap
• Quarantine new trees for 2 weeks

Mistake #8: Giving Up After First Failure

The biggest mistake of all.

Look, I’m going to be completely honest with you: You’ll probably kill your first bonsai. Maybe your second. I killed three before I figured things out.

Here’s what I learned in 15 years: Every dead tree taught me something crucial. That first overwatered Ficus taught me about soil drainage. The Juniper I tried to keep indoors taught me about dormancy requirements. The Chinese Elm I over-pruned taught me patience.

As a caseworker, I deal with tough situations daily. Bonsai taught me that failure isn’t the opposite of success – it’s part of the path to mastery.

The solution:

• Expect a learning curve
• Don’t invest in expensive trees initially
• Keep notes on what worked and what didn’t
• Join bonsai communities for support and advice
• Remember: “Any good bonsai practitioner’s killed a few trees”

The trees I keep alive today benefit from every mistake I made on the trees I lost. That’s not failure – that’s education.

→ Complete Beginner Mistakes Guide