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Bonsai Tree Care

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Bonsai Tree Care: Introduction

Bonsai is the art of growing aestheitcally pleasing miniture trees, acheived by confining normal trees or shrubs to small containers. Although virtually any plant can be used there are certain well sought after plants which tend to look the most impressive in miniture form.

There are several different ways to cultivate a bonsai tree but the four most common ways are -

  • Growing by seed
  • Cuttings
  • Air Layering
  • Grafting

There are also several different ways of styling your Bonsai including

  • Formal upright
  • Slant
  • Cascade
  • Raft
  • Literati
  • Group or Forest
  • Root over rock
  • Broom
  • Multi Trunk
  • Growing in a rock

There are even different size classifications for Bonsai

  • Mame - tiny bonsai
    • Keshi-tsubu, up to 2.5cm
    • Shito, 2.5-7.5 cm tall.
  • Shohin - small bonsai
    • Gafu, 13cm-20cm
    • Komono, up to 18cm
    • Myabi, 15cm-25cm
  • Kifu - medium bonsai
    • Katade-mochi, up to 40cm
  • Chu/Chuhin - medium to large, 40-60 cm tall
  • Dai/Daiza - large bonsai
    • Omono, up to 120cm
    • Bonju, over 100cm tall

Bonsai Tree Care: Shaping

The shaping process involves a consistent pruning of both leaves and roots. Your pruning must be in tandem with the type of plant according to it's budding behavior and time of dormancy due to seasonal factors; improper pruning can weaken or kill the tree.

Usually copper or aluminum wire is used to bind the trunk and branches in place until the tree eventually strengthens enough to support itself, called lignifying. In some cases this is not possible due to the characteristics of the tree either it is too stiff and/or brittle in which case pruning is the only method recommended for shaping.

With coniferous bonsai (bearing cones, usually evergreen) an aged look is achieved by removing bark from a branch or trunk to mimic natural scarring. Extreme care must be taken not to remove too much to avoid infection and stunted growth. You should never remove a complete ring either as this stops the flow of nutrients to any part of the tree above the ring.

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Bonsai Tree Care: Watering

Watering is probably the most difficult task in bonsai tree care due to the small confines of the pot and the limited root system. The soil must be kept moist at all times and should never be allowed to become bone dry. However too much moisture in the soil can lead to fungal infections as well as root rot. In some cases a tree may appear healthy even though it's root structure is completely dead, so monitoring the moistness of the soil is one of the most important tasks of bonsai tree care.

Some growers will water their bonsai using a fine spray watering can, another technique is to totally submerge the pot in water, either technique is fine as long as you achieve the correct level of soil moistness.

Bonsai Tree Care: Wiring

The best time to wire your bonsai is in spring or fall as the tree is not as stiff as it is in winter due to sap pressure. The technique of wiring is to simply wrap the tree in spirals bending to the desired shape. Another practice is to hang small weights from the branches to mimic an aged sagging look.

The wire should remain no more than one growing season and should be delicately removed in small pieces to reduce damage to the tree.

Extreme care should be taken not to try and bend a branch to far, listen carefully for any sounds which would indicate the branch is being put under too much pressure especially close to the trunk as this is where the branch is at it's most brittlest.

Bonsai Tree Care: Fertilization

As good drainage is crucial for a bonsai tree a loose soil is often used combined with sand or gravel, fired clay pallets or expanded shale combined with peat or bark. There is mixed advice on whether a completely organic fertilizer or a chemical fertilizer is used.

Bonsai Tree Care: Containers

All bonsai pots come with holes at the base to allow for drainage usually with some sort of wire mesh to stop soil from escaping. It is important to match the shape and color of your pot to the desired shape and type of your bonsai to ensure the most effective look.

It is common for a bonsai to start out in a larger growing box to help promote a better root network before relocating to a smaller box which will result in a dense root structure.

Bonsai Tree Care: Location

Because the majority of bonsai tree's are adapted to temperate climates such as (conifers, maples, larch,etc) very few will survive indoors without several hours of sunlight every day. However indoor bonsai growth can be achieved if temperatures are carefully monitored and proper lighting is ensured.

The best types of tree to be grown indoor are the Buddhist pine and the Chinese elm as they will adapt the best to an indoor environment.

Each type of tree requires different amounts of sunlight and temperature so it is crucial that you find out what is most suitable for the type of tree you wish to grow.

Bonsai Tree Care: Repotting

Bonsai are generally repotted and root-pruned around springtime just before they break dormancy. Bonsai are generally repotted every two years while in development, and less often as they become more mature. This prevents them from becoming pot-bound and encourages the growth of new feeder roots, allowing the tree to absorb moisture more efficiently.

Bonsai Tree Care: Step-By-Step Guide to Growing Bonsai

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-- A. Swart

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