Indoor Bonsai Care

To be quite candid, there is no such thing as an indoor bonsai tree. A bonsai tree is merely a miniature version of a tree. Trees exist outdoors, therefore, indoor bonsai trees are not a type of tree as such.

However, it is possible to administer indoor bonsai care under strict conditions. The best type of tree that's appropriate for the indoors is the tropical or subtropical tree. Tropicals can deal better with the diminished light and humidity of the indoors and they need little or no dormancy period.

The thing with bonsais kept inside, is that they still need the things that take place naturally in out-of-door surroundings. That is to say, they require decent light, air circulation, water supply and humidity to breathe and grow. When you keep a bonsai indoors, you need to go to great lengths to see that these demands are fulfilled.

Putting your bonsai tree on a window sill won't provide it with the amount of light it needs for the quantity of time it needs it. You'd be surprised to know just how much a windowpane blocks the light. And, generally, the window is only subjected to an adequate amount of sunshine for short periods of the day, depending on the way that it faces.

That being said, you'll need to keep on moving your bonsai tree around to follow the light or you'll need to install an artificial source of light using fluorescent lighting.

You'll also have to find an area in your home that has good quality air circulation. A lot of houses are air conditioned,and therefore, cold in the summertime, and heated and thus, warm in wintertime. Too cold and the tree won't survive as it needs warmth. Too hot and the tree will dry out and even be scorched if too close to air vents.

Humidity is often a big element that isn't taken into consideration when administering indoor bonsai care. Trees, in particular, tropical trees require humidity to survive. If there isn't enough humidity the tree will dry out and die.

Consequently humidity needs to be produced artificially as well. This can be done by placing your bonsai tree on a humidity tray to let the evaporation from the tray of water create a more humid environment for the indoor bonsai tree.

Naturally, watering the tree is still extremely important, as it is for the outdoors. But, once more, a rigid regimen will be called for. Not enough water and humidity and the tree becomes prone to dehydration. Not enough air circulation and the tree isn't able to breathe properly.

These are only a few of the important indoor bonsai care issues that need to be considered. This is only for tropical trees! The matter of dormancy if you endeavor to keep a temperate tree indoors needs an additional chapter of its own.

This is only a brief overview of indoor bonsai care? I urge you, however, to become proficient at caring for a bonsai tree outdoors, where it will thrive best, ahead of undertaking the more intense challenge of indoor bonsai care.