Caring For A Bonsai Tree

Bonsai Translation:
"Planted in a tray" or "Tray cultivation"

Choosing a reasonably hardy species is always a good start, some species are notoriously tempremental so a little research goes a long way. Many Bonsai these days are given as a gift, if this is the case, don't worry, many Bonsai are readily available from a wde range of outlets, and as such, the species for sale are normally of a hardy variety.

The aim when growing a Bonsai tree is to recreate a well balanced miniature version of a full sized tree. It should reflect all the characteristics of a tree that has matured naturally over time. When caring for a Bonsai tree, you are looking after a piece of living art.

FUKIEN TEA (Carmona microphylla)

When caring for a bonsai tree, location is one of the most important factors to consider. Bonsai trees need decent natural light if they are to flourish, so choosing a good spot is vital.

Many Bonsai trees will do just as well indoors as outside, depending on the species. If you live in a temperate climate most Bonsais will fair very well outside, if not, you would be better off choosing a well lit location inside.

When choosing your location make sure the site is bright but not exposed to direct sunlight for great periods of time, this also applies to outdoor Bonsai trees.

Again, as with all Bonsai care, a little research into your species will help you determine an appropriate spot.

CRAB APPLE (Malus halliana)

Watering is another important part of caring for a bonsai tree. Maintaining just the right amount of moisture in the root ball of your tree is paramount for your tree to remain healthy.

Too much water can cause the roots to rot and weaken your Bonsai, yellowing leaves are a common symptom of this.

Too little water is one of the quickest ways to kill a Bonsai tree, so never let the soil and rootball dry out completely.

The best way to water your tree is wait until the soil is starting to dry out before watering your Bonsai again.

Bonsai care also requires a regular feeding pattern, especially during the growth season. Good Bonsai fertilizers are readily available, liquid fertilizers are popular due to the ease in which they are administered. When using fertilizers be sure to read and adhere to the instructions given.

CHINESE WISTERIA (Wisteria sinensis)

Trimming your Bonsai can seem like quite a daunting dask, but following a few simple rules will ensure that your Bonsai remains healthy and keeps its desired shape.

When looking at your Bonsai tree, you will notice that it has a natural silhouette, as a general rule of thumb, any new shoots that grow outside of this silhouette should be pruned. The tendency of any plant is to grow outward from the tips and shed old leaves from the inside, the aim of growing any Bonsai tree is to reverse this process. Prune new shoots and leaves, paying particular attention to upwards or downward growth. Pruning is an essential part of caring for a bonsai tree and if done correctly, will keep your Bonsai compact and in the desired shape.

Training Your Bonsai

The art of making a Bonsai tree look aged has alot to do with training. All Bonsai can be trained to almost any shape you wish. This is done by a process called wiring. In nature, older trees branches generally hang downwards, which is what is desired in most Bonsai trees. Wire your tree to grow to a particular shape to achieve the "aged" look.
All good Bonsai nurseries will stock a good variety of different gauge wire, specifically designed for Bonsai.

CHINESE MAPLE (Acer palmatum)

After a number of years, your Bonsais roots will become cramped and will need repotting to maintain a healthy degree of growth.

Remove all the soil from your Bonsais roots and prune roughly 20% of the root structure, including a few of the thicker ones. Pruning the roots has the same effect as pruning the shoots and will ensure the root ball stays healthy, this will also encourage new growth.

Bonsai potting soil can be bought, but a mixture of good general purpose potting soil mixed with a small amount of coarse grain sand is fine.

Fill the pot a quarter full with your soil, and place the tree on it. At this point some prefer to gently wire the root ball to the pot via the hole in the bottom to aid stability, this is not strictly necessary, but considered good practice by many.
Before putting the remainder of the soil in the pot, some slow release fertiliser pellets placed in the pot are often a good idea.
Finally, fill the remainder of the pot with the soil to cover the roots.

CHINESE ELM (Ulmus parvifolia)

Always Remember

The art of caring for a Bonsai tree is not to force natures will, don't be frustrated if your tree doesn't look exactly as you'd hoped. The beauty of Bonsai care is going with what nature intends with maybe a guiding hand along the way...

CHINESE ELM

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