www.bonsaiseedsshoppe.com Bonsai plants are the stunning result of an ancient practice. Bonsais are highly attractive, so many people proudly display them in their houses. However, indoor bonsai trees require some extra maintenance. This is largely due to the fact that they don’t get the full range of benefits that sunlight and normal weather conditions provide. They might appear to be hardy. But certain types of bonsai are quite picky in their water and light requirements.
It is widely known that the secret of keeping your bonsai both healthy and miniature is to prune not only its branches but the trunk and roots as well. Pruning is a bit scary to newcomers to the hobby of caring for bonsai trees, as pruning roots damages a plant, restricting its ability to take up water and nutrients while pruning branches must be done carefully to ensure that you end up with your desired shape.
The time when your bonsai will need its roots trimmed is usually between one and five years after you bought it. This time frame is only a guide for caring for bonsai, as a number of factors effect the amount of time a tree takes to become rootbound in its pot; different species of tree have different levels of development and the variables such as the size of the pot, the development of the rootball and the age of the tree all have an influence on the growth of the roots.
When you take the tree out of the pot to inspect it each year, usually in the spring, you will be able to see if the roots need pruning. If you find that the roots form a circular ball around the edge of the pot, it’s time to trim or prune the roots. If the roots of the tree are still contained within the soil, the tree can be returned to the pot and pruning can be left for another year.
There is a tool specially designed to help you expose the roots. This is called a “root hook” but it doesn’t have to be this specific tool. You could try either chopsticks, screwdrivers, or a crochet needle as what you are trying to do is to gently work in between the roots to loosen the soil surrounding them.
While you have got the roots exposed, this is an good time to inspect the roots for early signs of decay and rot. It is vital when caring for bonsai trees, that we remove these dead roots as they will cause trouble in the future if we do not get rid of them.
You need to know how much root to cut off and how to select the right roots to be ‘cut back’ to a degree to keep them healthy and small enough for the pot.
Look for the long large roots that dominate the pot and trim them back. In particular, look at the downward growing roots. These need to be removed as they will eventually begin to ‘lift’ the tree out of the pot.
What we are trying to achieve here is to make way for the smaller feeder roots that will continue to sustain the growth of the tree while keeping the root system small enough to survive in the small pot.
You want the root system to spread laterally, from the trunk base or nebari rather than downwards, like anchors.
It is best to use a sharp knife or shears when cutting the roots and try to cut them with a downward slant. When you do this, there is less chance of water gathering in the exposed part of the newly cut root which in turn lessens the chance of infection setting in.
It is important when caring for bonsai trees that you do not remove more than 30% of the roots in any one year. This is important as you don’t want to reduce the root mass to the stage where it can’t support the tree so, generally aim to only remove about 1/3 of it.
Although there is a lot of information available on caring for bonsai trees, the pruning element still seemed to be rather daunting to me. It was difficult to have the confidence to do actually cut the roots for the first time.
I found that the best thing to do was to find a person experienced in caring for bonsai trees and watch them before I attempted to do it myself. Once I had seen it done, I had the knowledge on what to trim and what to leave and I could get on with the task of pruning my bonsai, confident that I was doing the right thing for my tree.
It is important to get the proper knowledge so that you don’t end up killing your tree. To find out more on caring for bonsai trees bonsai tree care
As a newcomer to caring for bonsai trees, I was keen to start making it grow the way I wanted, but maybe I was being a little impatient. Bonsai are not like house plants, they take years to form into beautiful works of art. I am a newcomer to bonsai and are just learning the basics of keeping my tree alive. What I really needed to know about pruning at this time was how to keep my tree ‘under control’ and keep it miniature and in the original shape by removing any excessive new growth.
To keep the growth balanced and in shape, pruning is necessary and this is without doubt one of the most enjoyable and satisfying aspects of the hobby. Do not be afraid of pruning – it is an essential part of caring for bonsai, helping to create miniature trees, rather than overgrown bushes.
Branches help to thicken the trunk and while there are usually too many branches on the Bonsai’s that are commercially sold, it pays to remember that you can not put anything back once you’ve cut it off! When removing branches, if unsure whether the branch should be removed completely, prune back and leave some buds that could grow back if desired, so that your options are left open. So don’t go crazy, my advise would be: if you’re not sure, leave it be.
It is said that ‘as you cut for the roots, you cut for the branches.’ That is to say, when you are pruning the branches of your Bonsai tree, you are going for a balance of the foliage and root systems. There is a close relationship between new shoots and new roots – when a tree’s shoots are extending, so are the roots. This is an important fact to remember when caring for bonsai trees.
This is another reason why it is best to prune at this time, before there is excess foliage that would place too much demand on a smaller root system.
Pruning branches must be done carefully and thoughtfully to ensure that you end up with your desired shape. When you are branch pruning, you are removing the thicker branches that clutter the style of the Bonsai tree. These may be ‘sticking out’ at all angles and detracting from the basic design of the tree.
The types of branches to prune in particular are crossing branches, which are the ones that cross the trunk or each other.
To remove these thicker branches it is a good idea to use a pair of concave cutters. These specially designed cutters allow you to remove the heavy branches without leaving ugly scars.
Trimming is the pruning of the lighter branches and foliage butterfly shears’ are usually used for this.
Pinching is simply removing any new growth such as buds and foliage before it extends so that it is placed more evenly amongst the branches of the tree. It encourages growth nearer to the trunk and lower branches by not letting the leaves of the higher branches ‘take over’. If you omit this stage when caring for bonsai trees, the lower branches and foliage become smaller and weaker and won’t grow as well.
Bonsai trees tend to be broad at the trunk base and taper towards an apex. It’s important to ‘pinch’ the leaves and buds to remove the ones that you don’t want as this will stop the tree from wasting unnecessary energy growing foliage that is not required.
You can do this using your thumb and forefinger or on very delicate areas you can use a pair of tweezers to remove small buds from within shoots.
With a little knowledge, over time, I will be able to trim and pinch my tree to train it to grow into an interesting, aesthetically pleasing shape that will impress my family and friends with my knowledge of caring for bonsai trees. In the meanwhile, I will be looking at different trees to develop an idea of what mine might eventually look like.
If you would like to know the step by step secrets the Bonsai masters use when caring for bonsai trees bonsai trees care.
Coniferous trees can be used to make lovely bonsai specimens, and among the most popular of conifers for bonsai is the juniper. The hugely popular juniper tree has over 50 varieties that can be found all over the world. Juniper are also one of the easiest bonsai trees to take care of, hence their popularity, particularly among novice bonsai growers. The juniper bonsai tree can be grown both indoors and outdoors, nonetheless, poor humidity, lack of decent light, and lack of a dormant period will ultimately kill them. A Juniper bonsai tree will tolerate short periods of being inside but if you really want it to thrive then keep it outside.
Juniper trees have two distinctive types of foliage that they display at different stages of their life. Young juniper trees have foliage that is like needles, and when they mature the foliage is more scale-like. Foliage will range in color from blue-greens to light-greens, even showing silver or gold hues on occassion.
A traditional juniper for bonsai is at times referred to as a Chinese Juniper. Another very popular species for bonsai is the Needle Juniper. The Needle Juniper gets it name from it’s very sharply pointed needles.
Watering Your Juniper
With most bonsai trees it would not be a good idea to let them dry out between waterings – not true with the juniper, it likes to dry out. Test the soil everyday to determine when it is time to water your juniper tree. If the soil in the pot looks and feels dry on the surface it is time to water it again. Put your finger into the soil to a depth of about one half to one inch. If the soil feels dry then you have to water your bonsai. Never allow your bonsai to go completely dry or it may suffer damage and die. Set your bonsai in the sink or in a container of water, practically up to the rim, for 15-30 minutes or until all the air bubbles stop rising and the soil is saturated. After watering using this suggestion you want to make certain that you allow it to drain completely because junipers are vulnerable to root rot if the roots sit in water. If you can’t soak your plants using this method then water thoroughly from the top, wait a few minutes, and then water again. You may need to do this a few times until the soil has been thoroughly soaked. A complete water cycle will go from the soil being completely soaked to being sort of dry.
A frequent spraying of your juniper bonsai’s foliage will help keep them free of dust and help them to breathe. This is particularly important for trees that have recently been repotted. Your bonsai is at risk of becoming dehydratred until the roots have recovered from the repotting and can bring water to the whole tree. A good spraying will also cut excess transpiration from the juniper’s foliage.
Make Sure Your Juniper Gets the Right Amount of Sunlight
Outdoors are where most Juniper bonsai trees are typically grown. A juniper bonsai tree will tolerate full sun, but the ideal circumstance would be to allow it to get low strength morning sunlight with afternoon shade. Alternatively, filtered or shaded sunlight all day would be fine.
Humidity
Almost all trees and plants love humid growing conditions. You can use a humidity tray beneath your potted juniper bonsai to maintain a higher level of humidity. Place your bonsai pot on top of the stones in the tray. After you’ve given your bonsai a good watering from the top the tray can also serve as a collection area for excess water. Again, a good spraying should be done in between waterings.
Fertilizing
Use a high nitrogen fertilizer in the spring and fertilize every three weeks, then use a more balanced fertilizer during the summer months, and then reduce the nitrogen for fall fertilizing. A diluted, half strength fertilizer will keep your roots from being damaged if you are using a chemical fertilizer.
Mike Andrews is a gardener and author and has been a devoted enthusiast of the art of bonsai for many years. Read his additional articles relating to the Juniper bonsai tree on his website at www.myjapanesebonsai.com. Please visit and sign up for his FREE 7-part mini-course on how to grow and train miniature bonsai trees. Peace.
Outdoor bonsai trees are usually easier to care for than those that like to be kept indoors. They will naturally fit into a small area of your backyard garden. They can be kept in a container like indoor trees or placed right into the ground. If you want to grow one of these trees, there are many things you need to know. This article will give you a few tips to get you started.
Water
You need to give your tree water on a frequent basis. You can tell if it needs water by feeling the top inch of the soil. If it’s dry, then you should provide some water. It’s best to do this in the morning rather than the afternoon or at night. This way, your tree will be less likely to be affected by diseases or slugs. During the winter, you should only water when the temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter
Speaking of winter, outdoor bonsai trees usually need to be dormant during this season. This is important to ensure that your tree stays healthy. You should try to find a location that provides protection from strong winds. It’s fine to expose the tree to snow and rain. While the tree is dormant during the winter season, you will need to give it some water every week or two.
Maintenance
Outdoor bonsai trees need to be pruned periodically. You should buy sharp shears or a special trimmer to get rid of this excess growth. Make sure that you cut away this growth just above the leaf.
These are a few tips for caring for outdoor bonsai trees. There are many more things you need to learn about bonsai tree care. So, click here now to learn everything you need to know about growing bonsai trees.
Bonsai which is an interesting technique of growing the adult trees in a miniature form was originated in Japan a long time ago. In fact when you see a banyan tree that looks like a 50 year old one with all its long branches, shoots and cylindrical roots but at the same time the height is just 4 to 5 feet then this becomes very unusual and exciting.
This is the reason why many people take keen interest in decorating the most exposed corner of their house with a Bonsai tree. But there are few things that are essential when it comes to taking proper care of a Bonsai tree. The most important elements are water, light and fertilizer.
Watering the Bonsai Tree
Water is the main component that a tree uses to prepare its food. A bonsai tree might die within its tub if you do not water it for continuous 48 hours. But then again excess water can act like poison to a bonsai tree. Now this is a fact that you will need to identify the right time to water your bonsai tree.
You can do this by judging the soil. Dig the upper surface of the soil and look at the inner part. If it is moist enough then you do not need to water it anymore. If it is dry then do not delay in watering them.
Fertilizing the Bonsai Tree
The soil that surrounds the roots of the bonsai tree contains very little nutritional value. Moreover the slightest bit of the minerals and other nutritional particles simply wash away when you put water everyday. But they need regular supply of food in order to survive and the bonsai trees just like other normal trees collect their food from the soil.
This is the reason why fertilizing the soil on a regular basis is very important. The most important elements required for its survival are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. You should apply the fertilizers which are rich in these 3 mineral contents. In fact the type of fertilizer will also depend on the species of the bonsai tree.
Keeping the Bonsai in Light
The rays of the sun are the basic necessity for any plant. There are many people who keep their bonsai plants at one corner of the room as a part of decoration and completely forget about taking them out regularly in the sun. This is the reason why the bonsai trees often become weak and gradually die.
So always place your bonsai tree in the sun-light for several hours in a day. But scorching heat of the sun and high temperature is harmful for the bonsai. Hence it is always advisable to keep them under some kind of shade which will shield the bonsai tree from the stark light but benefit them equally.
Do you love plants but you do not like to do some gardening outdoors? Do you prefer to have plants in pots or trays to be displayed inside the comfort of your homes? How about opting to put your green thumb at work by taking care of bonsai trees?
Bonsai trees are small or miniature trees that are placed in pots or trays. According to the World Book, the bonsai word means “tray planted.” It originated among the Japanese and Chinese aristocrats a long time ago and is currently a popular hobby among plant enthusiasts worldwide. You can find several kinds of bonsai trees like the typical ones which are the formal upright trees or those that are bended and curved artistically for aesthetic purposes. Not all trees are suited to be grown into bonsai trees. The popular ones include evergreens, pines, fruit trees like cherry and plum just to name a few.
Caring and growing bonsai trees are difficult and it often takes years of practice for some to master the art of growing them. The trees have to be properly pruned to keep it small and healthy. It entails a lot of patience, time and skills for that matter. Before deciding on a particular bonsai tree, plan on where you want to put it. Some types can be grown outdoors and some indoors. If you prefer to have it indoors, choose those kinds that are well suited for the indoors.
Bonsai trees require special attention and care for it to thrive. Bear in mind that we have constrained the tree’s growth into a pot or tray. Since bonsai trees are planted in an area with a limited amount of soil, you need to check the frequency with which it needs to be watered. We have to keep the soil moist and damp to ensure that it has enough supply of water to nourish it. You can check the dampness of the soil by placing your finger about several centimeters deep into the soil to feel if it is dry or you could use a water meter if you have one. If it is necessary to water it, give it enough water and ensure that it drains through the bottom of the holes in the pot or tray.
For its daily dose of sunlight, place your bonsai tree outdoors especially if it requires some direct sunlight. To ensure soil nutrients regularly schedule fertilization for your bonsai plants.
These are just some of the basic things you need to do to properly take care of your bonsai plants. Before buying any bonsai always ask and research for more information to ensure that your bonsai will live for more years to come.
There are various species suitable to use for indoor bonsai trees. Some of these include Ficus, Serissa, Boxwood, and Gardenia. If you want to grow your own miniature tree indoors, you will need to know a few things beforehand. This article will give you a few tips on growing indoor bonsai trees.
Light
Indoor trees usually require between four and six hours of light each day. It’s best to put them near a window that faces south. This will allow them to receive morning sun and shade in the afternoon. If a southern facing window isn’t an option, you can put them on a window fill that faces west or east.
Windows facing in either of these three directions are best. However, if you only have a window that faces north, you can put your tree there. You will need to use a grow light in this situation though.
Humidity
Indoor bonsai trees will suffer if you don’t provide them with enough humidity. The heating system in your home will reduce the amount of humidity available. You should put your tree in a small tray filled with water and gravel. There will be plenty of moisture available as the water evaporates. You can also mist the leaves with water a little bit.
Water
These trees usually don’t need to be watered everyday. Water requirements depend on the type of pot you’re using, the specific species you’re growing, and the type of soil in the pot. However, since they trees are in small pots, they will probably dry out very quickly. You should monitor this frequently by sticking your finger in the soil to see how moist it is. If the tree is receiving a lot of sun, it will require more water.
These are a few tips on caring for indoor bonsai trees. There are many more things that you need to learn about growing bonsai trees. So, click here now to learn everything you need to know about bonsai tree care.