Bonsai Trees Gardening Secrets

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 9 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #1,814 in DIY, #34,736 overall

How To Grow A Bonsai Tree, Bonsai Garden and Care for Your Bonsai

Bonsai trees gardening and care is a fascinating hobby for millions of people around the world. Bonsai tree gardening and practices originates from Japan and bonsai literally means "tree in a pot" in Japanese.

Bonsai is made small and miniature by special pruning of the roots and branches of the bonsai tree. Bonsai refers to a set of methods and techniques in growing, shaping and caring for a tree with the intention of forming it into a miniaturized tree that bears a natural image of an ancient tree.

Putting a tree in a pot does not automatically make it a bonsai. Creating a bonsai involves continually and sytematically pruning and shaping of suitable species of shrubs to get a desired look.

These are the basic of growing a bonsai tree: 

You start to grow a bonsai tree with a young tree or shrub. Recommended and suitable species of trees include Ironwood, Bottlebrush, Silky Oak, She Oak and Fig. Some bonsai trees are only suitable for certain climates.

You need to consider the following when choosing a tree:

=> Look for a tree with many branches,

=> The tree should have a wide trunk,

=> The leaves of the tree shoud be naturally small,

=> Make sure the plant is healthy,

=> The lowest branches should start close to the ground,

=> To add the illusion of age to the tree, try to find a plant with radiating roots present, and

=> You should have your bonsai equipment available, bonsai pots, wiring, scissors and all.

Shallow pots are good for bonsai trees unless the tree you choose has a thick trunk. The wider the trunk the deeper the pot should be. There should be drainage holes at the bottom of the pot to allow the water to flow out.

It is recommended that you plant your tree in a large flower pot or the ground for a while until it matures. This will help the tree to grow faster and make its roots stronger. You should prune the tree continously to increase the mass of the branches.

When the tree has matured enough it is ready to be styled into a bonsai.

You need to cover the drainage holes of the pot with insect screening or thin fabric to prevent the soil from clogging up these holes when you water the plant. The bonzai is not an indoor plant so you need to pot with outdoor potting mixture. The tree will not be as strong once it has been potted, so style the tree before you remove it from its location.

When you unpot the plant from its initial location, get a stick and loosen the soil from around the roots. Scrape up to a third to a half of the old soil away. Using a pair of scissors, trim the roots that are exposed outside of the existing soil. You can now place the tree in the pot, filling the rest of the pot with your potting mixture.

After decorating the top of the potting mixture with small pebbles, moss or fine bark, you are now ready to style the plant. You can shape the trunk of the tree by using wire. Wind a thin piece of wire around the trunk of the tree and to the branches you wish to shape. Bend the tree gently allowing the wire to hold it in place. The wire can be removed from the tree when the branches do not spring back if the wire is released. With continuous pruning and trimming, your artistic talents will show as the tree matures. You have now created a Bonsai.

Be sure the roots of the bonsai tree are never over-watered. To keep your bonsai as healthy as possible, always use special bonsai soil, which is designed to dry out easier than standard houseplant soil. Even so, remember that because there is so little soil, bonsai trees require frequent small watering. Bonzai must also be fed nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash in the spring and fall. When looking for good fertilizer, try to find one that has chelated iron in it. In addition, it is wise to rotate fertilizer brands since there is a difference in the trace elements.

Last minute suggestions:

They enjoy humidity. For this reason, it is recommended that the bonsai be put in a shallow tray with water. That way, the water can evaporate from the tray, resulting in added humidity to the air surrounding the tree. Then, you should use a flat rock or pebbles in the tray under the pot, giving the bonsai tree something to sit on, up out of the water. Bonsai trees also require sunlight, except when they have just undergone pruning or repotting. If the tree cannot get direct sun from a south, east, or west window, place it outside for several hours each day or select a bonsai tree that can grow in less sunlight.

Growing your own bonsai tree and garden is a very rewarding experience. It helps take away the stress and instills calmness, relaxation and form.

Go ahead start growing your own bonsai tree and remember that practice makes perfect. You can also download Bonsai Gardening Secrets to learn so much more about Bonsai trees gardening and care.

My Personal Recommendation 

These 2 are the Best Bonsai Tree Gardening and Care Books I have read.

Bonsai Gardening Secrets





Discover the Step by Step Secrets the Bonsai Masters Use to Create Stunning Bonsai Trees - With Very Little Work


Bonsai Gardening Secrets" is an easy to understand quick-start guide that'll show you how to create stunningly beautiful Bonsai trees
quickly
...even if you're new at it.


In fact, you'll be amazed at how simple it is to create authentic Bonsai in no time flat... even if you're not a "master gardener".


The reason you'll be off to such a fast start...and getting quick results... is that the book is written in nothing but Plain English





Bonsai Care Secrets



There is now an amazing new e-book called, "Bonsai Care Secrets.  It covers nearly everything you need to know about Bonsai Tree Care .  Packed with easy to read material, and over 50 detailed color photos to help you see, choose and select the best Bonsai for your level of gardening...whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, this e-book will greatly enhance your knowledge for growing successful Bonsai plants.


Imagine being able to look up with ease some of the most useful information about your Bonsai plants.  Learn how to identify, select, plant, grow, cure diseases, fertilize, prune, revive, wire and train all your Bonsai plants.. Wouldn't that be great?

Origins of The Bonsai Tree and Practices 

Contrary to popular belief, Bonsai gardening, practice and techniques originated from China over a 1,000 years ago and not in Japan. It was later developed by the Japanese and made into an art form.

This particular style of growing trees has become popular in many parts of the world, being both a spiritual and artistic form.

Bonsai, pronounced as "bone-sigh" is a Japanese word meaning "tray-planted" or "tree in a pot", which refers to dwarf trees or to the art of training and growing the miniaturized trees in containers. By simply placing a tree in a tiny pot does not make it a bonsai tree. Instead, the overall artistic effect is of great significance in growing bonsai trees. Bonsai are dwarfed through pruning the roots and branches, wiring the trunk and branches, and using other techniques to make the tree take on the look of a mature tree.

More Bonsai Tree Growing and Caring Resources 

Bonsai Mastery Secrets
Learn Bonsai Techniques
Bonsai Growing
How to grow beautiful bonsai trees like an expert.
What You Need To Know About Bonsai Gardening
Everything you need to know to start growing your own Bonsai Tree.

More Bonsai 

The goal of a bonsai tree is to achieve the desired shape while balancing the above ground growth as well as the root growth. Shaping should begin while the tree is very young, continuing as it matures. Using copper wire on the trunk and branches, the shape of the tree is controlled. However, it is crucial that the any wire used be cut prior to it digging into the tree, resulting in scarring. The entire tree must be kept proportional in size, to include the leaves, needles, flowers, and/or fruit, as well as the container in which it grows. Bonsai can be obtained in a variety of sizes such as miniature, small, medium, and average. The miniature bonsai grow to just two inches in height, maturing around five years. The small bonsai grows between two and six inches, requiring about seven years to train, the medium size grow from six to twelve inches, and the average bonsai reaches upwards of two feet tall, maturing in about three years.

Beautiful Bonsai Pics 

Y by Josh :)

Y

Bonsai by lia Dalmas

Bonsai

Bonsai by lia Dalmas

Bonsai

bangkok by mimolag

bangkok

bonsai by twicepix

bonsai

bonsai by twicepix

bonsai

bonsai by twicepix

bonsai

beautiful aurora borealis with the snow by Torley

beautiful aurora bor...

Flower Show, Beijing by Ivan Walsh

Flower Show, Beijing

Flower Show, Beijing by Ivan Walsh

Flower Show, Beijing

automatically generated by Flickr

Bonsai Stuff on eBay 

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

Bonsai Seeds and Cuttings 

You can grow bonsai from seeds or cuttings. When growing from seeds, you would find it very rewarding, starting with nothing and turning it into a magnificent piece of art. Using cuttings can take some time to mature but is also rewarding. With cuttings, there are two types for growing bonsai trees - hardwood and softwood (semi-ripe). Hardwood cuttings are usually taken at the end of the current year's growing season but with a growth beginning the following season. Softwood cuttings are usually taken in the summer from the current year's growth but in this case, they should be left alone until new growth appears at which time the trees can be placed in individual pots.

Books on Bonsai Growing and Gardening on Amazon 

Bonsai (101 Essential Tips)

Amazon Price: $5.00 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

The Secret Techniques of Bonsai: A Guide to Starting, Raising, and Shaping Bonsai

Amazon Price: $20.88 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

The Complete Book of Bonsai

Amazon Price: $28.01 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Bonsai School: The Complete Course in Care, Training & Maintenance

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Bonsai Gardening Tools 

Here are some of the tool you will need for your bonsai gardening.

Hori-Hori Japanese Digging Tool Stainless Steel

Amazon Price: $35.95 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

14-pc Bonsai Tool Set Carbon Steel

Amazon Price: $86.99 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Bonsai Tool 10-piece Set

Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

More Bonsai Gardening Tools for You 

Click on any image for more selection

Bonsai Tree Tool Kit - Joebonsai Apprentice Kit - Long Handle 4 Piece Set

Bonsai Tree Tool Kit - Joebonsai Apprentice Kit - Long Handle 4 Piece Set

This is a great four-piece bonsai tool kit featuri more...0 points

Dallas Bonsai Garden's Japanese 4 Piece Student's Tool Set

Dallas Bonsai Garden's Japanese 4 Piece Student's Tool Set

A Japanese 4 piece student's Tool Set. This set wa more...0 points

Bonsai Tool Basic Set

Bonsai Tool Basic Set

This listing is for 2 pieces of high quality bonsa more...0 points

Heavy Duty Bonsai Tool Roll 10-pocket Bag

Heavy Duty Bonsai Tool Roll 10-pocket Bag

This is a heavy duty bonsai tool roll made of 600 more...0 points

Bonsai Tree Tool Kit - Joebonsai Deluxe Apprentice Kit W/canvas Tool Wrap -Long Handle

Bonsai Tree Tool Kit - Joebonsai Deluxe Apprentice Kit W/canvas Tool Wrap -Long Handle

A great seven-piece Bonsai tool kit including roll more...0 points

Dallas Bonsai Garden's Novice Tool Kit - Plus - 9 Piece Japanese Bonsai Tools

Dallas Bonsai Garden's Novice Tool Kit - Plus - 9 Piece Japanese Bonsai Tools

Our very popular Novice Tool Kit plus +++ 3 items. more...0 points

Oval Bonsai Pots with Trays | Three Pack - By joebonsai

Oval Bonsai Pots with Trays | Three Pack - By joebonsai

This is a three-pack of 6-inch Oval, classic deep- more...0 points

Bonsai Tree Care Kit from Joebonsai

Bonsai Tree Care Kit from Joebonsai

Everything you need to care for your Bonsai. Here' more...0 points

Bonsai Wire, 3.5mm, 150 gm

Bonsai Wire, 3.5mm, 150 gm

Our aluminum wire has copper color anodized coatin more...0 points

Bonsai Tree Tool - Moisture Meter - By joebonsai

Bonsai Tree Tool - Moisture Meter - By joebonsai

The single biggest challenge of any Bonsai enthusi more...0 points

Dallas Bonsai Garden's Mini Leaf Pruner

Dallas Bonsai Garden's Mini Leaf Pruner

A great utility leaf pruner. The overall length is more...0 points

Saboten 1218 Pruning Shears

Saboten 1218 Pruning Shears

The heavy gauge, high carbon steel blades are coat more...0 points

Bonsai Tree Turntable 10 Inch -

Bonsai Tree Turntable 10 Inch - "Mighty Mini"

This is a 10-inch diameter Bonsai turntable. Great more...0 points

Bonsai Tree Aluminum Training Wire Three Size Pack From Joebonsai

Bonsai Tree Aluminum Training Wire Three Size Pack From Joebonsai

You don't have to buy a whole roll of wire if you more...0 points

Bonsai Tree Tool - Concave Cutter Bonsai Tool - By joebonsai

Bonsai Tree Tool - Concave Cutter Bonsai Tool - By joebonsai

This is a Professional Grade Bonsai Concave Cutter more...0 points

DVD's - Featuring Bonsai Trees 

Thriving Bonsai

Thriving Bonsai

The Bonsai Almanac Video Series is unlike any othe more...0 points

Vids on Bonsai Gardening 

YouTube thumbnail
How to Grow Bonsai Trees : How...

Runtime: 4:42 | 226037 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
bonsai black pine grafting

Runtime: 3:24 | 68980 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Lindsay Farr's World of Bonsai...

Runtime: 10:32 | 19055 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Ro-Bonsai.ro part 2.mpg

Runtime: 6:56 | views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Inspiration for Creating Beaut...

Runtime: 9:33 | 301 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Bonsai Tree Demonstration

Runtime: 10:00 | 30141 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
How to Grow Bonsai Trees : How...

Runtime: 3:35 | 115440 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
How to Grow Bonsai Trees : How...

Runtime: 3:40 | 117608 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Bonsai Saburo Kato

Runtime: 10:09 | 8440 views | Comments

automatically generated by YouTube"

Bonsai Gardening Buzz 

How to Choose Nursery Bonsai Trees | The Gardeners Way
How to Choose Nursery Bonsai Trees Purchasing a bonsai from a nursery is easier to maintain than those you extract from the earth. When you shop for bonsai the first thing you want to do is consider the main branches, shape, ...
Halfbakery: Bonsai Christmas Tree
Of course a bonsai Christmas tree won't be very large, but it can always be set on a plain table (with all the presents underneath). Decorate carefully! Those small branches are fragile! And note that because the tree is small, ...
Bonsai The Imagination Tree: Great Gift ideas!
I have grown bonsai ever since. My interest in growing trees and shrubs made me decide to get my diploma in Horticulture. Unfortunately I had to leave all my bonsai behind when I moved to Australia in 2001, but the passion for them came ...
Bonsai Forest For All Seasons
The Bonsai Forest offers you a miniature tree grove for your indoor enjoyment.

like this lens? have something to share or just want to drop me a note? do it here... 

submit

by Rajays

I started growing my own bonsai tree as a hobby 5 years ago. I am now very good at it and have a garden full of bonsais.
(more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!