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is a Japanese gardening art form that has been passed down for centuries.
Translated as potted tree, bonsai trees are the attempt to represent larger
natural tree forms in a small scale. To achieve this effect, growers employ
careful potting and care techniques as well as skilled pruning. Read more
bonsai history here. |
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Choosing
Plants
Traditionally, outdoor plants are used for bonsai, but you can bonsai just
about anything with the right characteristics, preferably something woody
enough to be trained. Species like Schefflera
and Jade
can do quite well indoors, while others like the Shogun
and the Zen
Reflections Juniper Bonsai prefer more sun. To keep things simple, you
get pre-trained plants, or if you're feeling adventurous, you can start
your own. |
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| Deluxe
Windswept Bonsai |
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Care
Depending on your specific plants and growing styles, caring for your bonsai
can be simple or demand gardening precision. No matter what, you’ll
need to pay careful attention to your plants’ food, water and container
needs – that’s in addition to any artistic shaping you plan to
do. The quickest way to kill your bonsai is lack of water - because many
bonsai plants are in small containers, their soil can dry out quickly, so
be sure to check on your plants often. Read more on caring for your bonsai
here.
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More
Info
If you’re serious about bonsai, it’s always good to have a handy
reference guide (like the Bonsai
Survival Manual or Creating
Bonsai Landscapes) to get you started. Books like these can offer helpful
advice as well as inspiring photos to help you get started.
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Happy
Growing!
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Creating
Bonsai Landscapes |
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Practiced for
centuries in China and Japan, bonsai is the reproduction of natural tree
forms in miniature. Bonsai trees are living miniature trees which increase
in beauty and value as they mature over the years.
How often
should I water my bonsai tree?
Unlike a houseplant, bonsai trees use a "free draining" type of soil
because their roots cannot tolerate "wet feet". In addition, they are
grown in significantly less soil and, therefore require more watering.
Factors such as tree location, temperature, lighting conditions, quantity
of soil used, and the changing seasons will determine the frequency of
watering. You can get to know when your tree needs to be watered by
observing the foliage, testing the soil with your index finger just below
the surface, or just by the weight of the pot. (The drier the tree, the
lighter it will feel.) To take the guesswork out of watering, we recommend
an inexpensive moisture meter which works very much like a thermometer.
Insert it into the soil and the movement of the needle will tell you if it
is time to water.
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