Getting Started with Bonsai

Bonsai is an enjoyable hobby and form of art. However, unlike most other art forms bonsai is unique in that one’s canvas is alive and changing. Aside from the art side of things one needs to develop some knowledge of arboriculture. Along with knowing how to make the tree look appealing one also needs to keep it alive. This article will serve as an overview of bonsai basics to help beginners get started with the hobby of bonsai.

Selecting a bonsai tree

From a high level one can classify bonsai trees into two groups; indoor and outdoor. Outdoor bonsai should never be kept indoors for more than a few days as the lack of light and temperature difference will cause it to weaken and it may die. Therefore, if one wants an outdoor bonsai they should make sure they have a suitable outdoor location for it. Outdoor bonsai typically tend to be evergreens and conifers. One of the most popular bonsai trees is the Juniper which is an outdoor tree.

Indoor bonsai can survive indoors, but even they will grow best when kept outside. They tend to have lower light requirements than outdoor bonsai, but still do best outdoors like an tree. If one has a very sunny spot in their home or office that receives a good amount of indirect sunlight from the East or West they should be able to grow an indoor bonsai without any problems. Indoor bonsai are typically tropical trees like ficus, hawaiian umbrella, and succulents like jade.

Can I grow outdoor bonsai inside with grow lights?

One can try to supplement light requirements using grow lights if one wants to grow outdoor bonsai inside. However, most trees that grow in colder climates naturally still need a wintering period. Unless one can simulate that every season the tree will eventually die.

Getting started

The main items one will need are a tree, a pot to put it in, bonsai soil, sharp shears, and a root rake. Anything beyond those items are optional, but will make certain tasks easier to accomplish.

Selecting a pot

If one plans on growing their bonsai outdoors in areas with cold winters they should invest in a stoneware pot. They are fired to a very high temperature when they are made which allows them to better resist cracking in extreme temperatures. Most people will use mica or plastic pots when they are training their bonsai and switch them to ceramic stoneware when they plan on displaying them. Shallower yet wider pots tend to promote growth of thicker trunks. If one wants to train their bonsai into a cascading effect they would want to use a deeper pot.

One always needs a pair of sharp shears for doing any kind of pruning on their bonsai. It is also recommended that one pair for pruning branches and another pair for pruning roots as the soil and grit on roots may dull the shears. One will always want branch pruning shears at their sharpest.

The root rake is used for combing out the roots of the bonsai prior to placing it in the pot. It allows one to gently break apart the root ball so that they can work fresh soil between the roots when they place the bonsai in the pot.

Lastly, the soil selection is very important. Bonsai are unnaturally forced to grow in a relatively confined space so the soil has special requirements. The soil must be free draining yet retain moisture. It must also hold nutrients and resist compaction. Once one has their basic supplies they are ready to begin.

Placing the bonsai in the pot

Start off by covering the drainage holes in the bonsai pot with drain hole covers. This will stop the soil from washing out. Most people will also hook wire through the drain holes at this point so that they can twist them down on the roots later to keep the newly planted tree stable. The proper technique for this is not covered here. Next, start to rake out the roots using the root rake or a chopstick. This should untangle the roots and free them from the compacted soil. After, form a small mound of bonsai soil in the center and place the tree on top of it. Gently twist the tree back and forth and try to work the soil between the roots. After, clamp down the root ball with wire and fill the remainder of the pot with soil. At this point one should avoid moving the bonsai in order to allow the roots to heal.

Once the bonsai is in the pot

Once one has successfully potted their bonsai they should familiarize themselves with the requirements of that tree and do their best to keep it alive and healthy before styling it. A healthy tree always looks best. One should primarily concern them self with keeping the tree alive. Once they have fulfilled that requirement they can start learning about styling it. Most beginners have difficulty when it comes to watering so reading in this area is recommended. I wish you the best of luck in continuing your bonsai hobby.

Bonsai trees have often been thought to have originated from Japan. However, records of more than 2,000 years old show that bonsai trees have been growing in China, not only as part of landscapes, but also in shallow containers. Approximately 1,500 years ago, Bonsai trees were first grown individually after being collected from mountainous regions. Bonsai trees can be seen on many ancient Chinese line drawings. It was several centuries later that the Japanese began to grow and train the trees in pots. The Chinese and Japanese styles of Bonsai are very different. The Chinese styles are more freeform and mainly trained by pruning, and the Japanese styles are particularly groomed and shaped, making them appear more natural.

The translation of bonsai growing is “plant in a tray”. It is a satisfying hobby which combines both horticulture and art. Bonsai trees are typically described as “living sculptures”. As with any pot plant, it is essential that the plant is kept healthy and in excellent condition. It does require a certain amount of artistic imagination to prune and shape bonsai trees. The origin, species and general health are dependent upon the timescale to create an impressive bonsai. It will take longer to grow a bonsai tree from a seed or a cutting.

You can become to appreciate bonsai trees very quickly. They can become a very important part of your life. It is essential not to be afraid to experiment with pruning and shaping. Patience is something which is necessary by each individual when creating bonsai trees, as it is a process which should not be hurried. A good Bonsai can be trained in a very short time, providing that the suitable material is selected firstly.

Something which is fundamental to all plant life is watering. The tree will certainly die of thirst in as little as 48 hours, if it is left in a dry bonsai container. It is essential however, that the tree is not over watered. This is how many bonsai trees die, as newcomers to bonsai growing panic and over water the plant. It is important to water thoroughly, but only when a bonsai needs it. You can test as to whether the bonsai needs water by scratching the surface to expose the soil immediately below. If the soil just under the surface is wet, then do not water it. If the soil is only just damp, then you can water it. And if it is dry under the surface, then it should most certainly be watered.

Bonsai soil contains little or no nutritional value to a bonsai tree. Your bonsai depends entirely upon you for its nutritional requirements. There are a wide variety of plant foods available for your bonsai. However, it is essential that the plant food contains the three basic nutrients of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K).

It is essential for the survival of the plant that it receives sufficient daylight or good artificial light. However, it is essential to understand the difference between sunshine and sunlight in order deliver the correct bonsai tree care. Direct sunlight can be harmful for many species of bonsai, especially through a glass window. It is also essential to remember that whether your bonsai tree is inside or out, it will benefit from a certain degree of shade from the hot summer sun.

One of the most important aspects of your bonsai is the age. Not the actual age of your bonsai, but what age your bonsai appears to be. As far as aesthetics are concerned, it is important that your bonsai appears far more aged than it actually is. If you are able to create the appearance of a 500 year-old pine with a 5 year old bonsai, then you are surely well regarded and envied by the majority of your peers.

When you attempt to age your bonsai you want it to have certain characteristics, such as: tight, fine foliage; bark with fractures; branches that are open with angular bends; and a domed (as opposed to pointed) crown. Starting with a bonsai plant that already has some or all of these attributes–like old yamadori–is the quickest way, but they have their drawbacks as well. You will have to perform heavy cutting and carving to hide the removal of the heavier branches and diminish the size. This is incredibly difficult to do well, and if done incorrectly, can never be rectified. The fact that new branches grown and trained by the bonsai artist always appear more juvenile, thus complicating the matter further.

There are some techniques you can use to advance to apparent age of our bonsai, though. Some do take more time than others to have an effect.

First you must make sure that you understand what is being referred to when describing the appearance of age in bonsai. These can be broken down into five main characteristics:

1. A domed crown

2. The poise of the branches

3. Angular branch ramification

4. Distinct, separated foliage ‘clouds’

5. Mature bark texture

THE BONSAI CROWN

When you look at trees that are hundreds of years old you should notice that they all carry a common trait: a domed crown. In order to create a domed crown for your bonsai you will need to dispose of the concept of “wiring a new leader”. The leader should have been grown and shaped while the trunk was being developed. Once the trunk is finished all thoughts of the leader are abandoned. The apex of your bonsai should now be thought of as an apical, central branch. It should be constructed the same as any other branch, however, the limb supporting the apical branch structure will approach from below instead of from a side.

BONSAI BRANCH POISE

The principles of branch positioning are relatively easy to follow, but often it is compromised in the beginning as you rush for a finished image. The old broadleaved branches are generally horizontal and old conifer branches tend to sweep downward–in the simplified world of bonsai. You must remember that arching branches will not convey the impression of age. Most artist do not realize this until years later when the branches have set and are to thick to change. The key to bonsai branch poise is the get the branches correct at the outset.

ANGULAR BRANCH RAMIFICATION

Some bonsai have fine ramification and some bonsai have really fine ramification. A broom style bonsai could have millions of well-packed, miniature shoots, look well-developed and mature, but never appear ancient. It just is not that kind of image. So, ramification by itself will not give the bonsai a look of age, but the way the branches ramify does. Dramatic taper, sharp angles, switch-backs, these are all indicative of bonsai age. Restricting short foliage bearing shoots to the periferal areas, lacking thin laterals growing from the inner portion of the limbs, and short distances between the ends and forks also contribute. Old trees do not have branches forming a triangular framework, nor do they have pointed apices. These branches should be cut back at the earliest opportunity. Every time you prune or wire your bonsai you should consider these points. No matter what age or stage of development your bonsai is in, there are always opportunities to improve.

FOLIAGE CLOUDS

Foliage on a mature bonsai can become one solid mass without proper attendance. As trees reach an older age, the foliage masses will become more isolated and sparse. The individual “clouds” will start to fragment, seeming to consist of multiple smaller clouds. Take the time to study your well developed and more established bonsai. Do you think removing one or two branches, or even thinning out the clouds to fragment them will improve both the image and apparent age of your bonsai?

BARK TEXTURE

The most precious feature of any bonsai is undeniably mature textured bark. Without it, few bonsai can appear mature. There are some exceptions such as acers. taxus, fagus, etc., because the bark stays smooth throughout the tree’s life. Most species, however, will create a characteristic mature bark as they mature, getting a plated or fissured texture. Some, like pseudocydonia and platanus have bark that flakes in patches revealing shades of pink, buff, and green. Betula and most prunus species all their bark to peel, displaying many colorful layers.

Whether the occasion is a birthday, secretaries day, mothers day, fathers day or the holidays (Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa) bonsai trees make great gifts. Bonsai trees are a perfect gift for any loved one born with or without a green thumb. If you know someone special who loves and takes delight in caring for plants then bonsai trees may indeed be the perfect gift. Here are the items you will need if you decide to give a bonsai tree as a gift.

The first thing you will need to buy is a bonsai tree. Before buying a bonsai tree you need to determine whether your recipient will require an indoor or outdoor bonsai tree. Does the recipient live in a warm area year round like New Mexico or New Orleans or do they live in an area where the seasons change like New York or North Dakota. Next you will need to determine which bonsai tree species to buy. There are many types of bonsai trees like the Japanese maple, elm, ficus, maple, and juniper. Some bonsai tree species are more difficult to grow than others so you will need to make sure that you choose the appropriate species for the person who will be receiving the bonsai tree.

The second thing you will need to bonsai pot. Today there are various styles, colors, shapes and size to choose from so you can easily find a bonsai pot for the bonsai tree that is perfect for anyone. When selecting the bonsai pot, you will need to the correct size for the bonsai tree to ensure the tree fits inside the pot.

The third thing you will need to buy is bonsai soil. Unlike other types of plants, bonsai trees require a certain type of soil to grow. Some soils are already mixed with fertilizer to make your life easier. However, when buying bonsai soil you need to make sure that you not only buy enough soil to fill the pot but you will need to include extra soil as well.

The fourth thing you will need to buy is bonsai fertilizer. Bonsai trees require fertilizer for growth and nutrition. There are many kinds to choose from starting with organic and non organic types. Regardless of which fertilizer you choose, you will need to understand what nitrogen level your bonsai tree requires. To be safe buy extra fertilizer and package it with your bonsai gift.

The fifth thing you will need to buy is wire and tools. These items are essential especially for the novice in bonsai growing. Bonsai tool kits are available and they come with the standard tools such as the bending jack, concave cutter, scissors and wire cutters. The wire is also essential since wire is used to form the bonsai tree.

The last thing you will need to buy is a watering pot or can. Like most plant life, bonsai trees need frequent watering. Including a watering pot is a must since it is a subtle reminder that the bonsai tree requires water.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall, when it comes to bonsai trees, anytime can be a good time to buy a bonsai gift. When giving a bonsai tree as a gift make sure you include a pot, soil, bonsai fertilizer, wire tools, and a watering pot. By including these items your bonsai gift will be the perfect gift!