Brussel's Hinoki Cypress Outdoor Bonsai Tree

-Of course it doesn't come looking like a mature, trained bonsai tree. It's a 39 dollar tree!! It won't be trained for that cost!!!!! A fully trained tree takes years and much care to create the illusion of an old, natural tree. I recommend getting a book and reading up a little before buying. For the price, this tree is a bargain!!

-As far as I can tell, the styrofoam peanuts are the only way to really protect the tree in transit. Yes, they're a pain to unpack (took 10 minutes) but it's worth protecting the tree. However, if you noticed, they use corn-starch based foam and they dissolve in water. They're not environmentally unfriendly. They're not petro-carbon based polymer. They're perfectly safe and if you don't want to throw them away, pour them in a bucket of water and pour the water on your lawn. It may even have some fertilizing properties.


good healthy plant; strong; yet remember it's still a bonsai   March 3, 2004
needs lots of care. FORGET WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT WATERING FROM THE TOP! The soil is packed too tightly. You must soak the entire pot in a container of water; at least three-quarters of the way up the side of the pot. Also, don't believe that your tree can survive temps down to 20 degrees. I live in central New York State. There be cold winters here! I almost lost my tree to frost bite from a sudden colder than normal snap. If you must bring the tree inside, make sure it is thoroughly watered often - at least every other day. I also almost lost my tree to extreme dryness when I had to keep him inside for over a week. Even if you can leave your tree outside during the winter, IT STILL MUST BE WATERED EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. DON'T LET IT DRY OUT. DRYNESS IS A BONSAI WORSE ENEMY! However, this is a strong tree. It has even survived the winter of 2003-04!


An outstanding tree and a great buy!   December 27, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This tree came in perfect condition. No, it has not been fully "bonsai-ed" yet and is still a little rangy. But I gave it as a gift to someone interested in learning how to shape a bonsai, and she is totally thrilled. The tree was much larger and more mature than I expected. And I bought it in a "gold box" transaction, so the cost was around $30 - incredible price, including free shipping. I'd recommend anyone interested in Bonsai buy thru Amazon!

p.s. I must concur with the over-abundance of environmental UNFRIENDLY peanuts that encased the tree. Wouldn't there be some other way to safely ship? I had a heck of a time getting the tree out of the box, and the peanuts into the trash!


as advertised   December 24, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a nice tree. Yes it does come packed in a thousand styro peanuts, but it is for the safety of the tree. I, too, was fooled into thinking this was an indoor bonsai, but only because it was an impulse buy, and I lamely failed to read the description. For those considering a buy, it's an OUTDOOR tree, it's 12-14" high, and it comes well packaged.


FALSE ADVERTISING.   December 21, 2003
 1 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is not an indoor plant, let alone a desk plant, even though my recollection is that it was advertised that way. It also does not look like the cute little manicured plant in the picture. Its branches go every which way, and many are brown. And as the other reviewer says, it comes packaged in a million styrofoam peanuts, which take a half hour to get out and another half hour to get into the trash. This one is going back to my friends at Amazon along with a request that they pay for the shipping.