The word “bonsai” means “growing in a pot.” The art of bonsai involves the careful training of a tree or shrub so that it will grow into an attractive and esthetic miniature replica of its life-size counterpart. Bonsai artists have been growing trees for centuries, using techniques passed from one generation to another. It’s said that when you plant your first bonsai tree, you plant a lifetime of enjoyment!
Soil
The soil you choose should be loose, well-drained, and free of bugs and pests. You can find bonsai soil at most nurseries or garden centers. It’s also possible to make your own “soil” by mixing together different types of potting soils or even sand!
The key is that it needs to have good drainage and nutrients so that the plant can absorb water easily, but not so much that it stays too wet for too long (which could cause root rot).
Soil should also be light in texture so that air can circulate through it easily. This helps prevent diseases from developing on your tree’s roots when they grow into the soil. Finally, you want your bonsai soil somewhere between room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit/21 degrees Celsius) down into colder temperatures closer to 55 degrees Fahrenheit/13 degrees Celsius when the dormant season begins (usual wintertime).
Watering
Watering is important because it keeps your bonsai tree healthy and happy. The amount of water you need to give depends on the species; some are more thirsty than others. Watering once a week is fine for most trees, but if you have a tropical or desert-climate type, be careful not to overdo it! If the pot feels dry or has no drainage holes, then you should check out our article on how to plant your own bonsai tree.
For watering instructions, see below:
- Use a watering can with an open spout that allows water to flow freely into the soil without being too forceful (you don’t want to disturb the roots).
- Position yourself near enough so that when you pour the water into your hand holding onto the base of your tree’s trunk/rootball, some will splash back up onto its leaves and branches (this way they stay fresh). This step should take about 10 seconds if done correctly!
Potting
There are many things to consider when choosing the right bonsai pot. First, it’s important to make sure that the pot is made of high-quality material and has a proper drainage system. The size of your tree will determine what kind of pot you should use:
- If your tree is small (less than 6 inches in height), use an oval or square-shaped pot that’s about 3” wide by 5” long.
- If your tree is between 6 and 12 inches in height, use an oval or rectangular-shaped container that measures 4-6″ wide by 6-8″ deep.
- For trees over 12 inches tall, go with either a wider version of the previous two sizes or choose one made specifically for large specimens (anything over 16″).
Wiring the trunk and branches
Once you’ve wired your bonsai, it’s time to shape it. The best way to do this is with a wire brush. You can also use sandpaper, but be careful not to damage the bark or leave any scratches or gouges in the wood. The wire brush will remove any dirt from between the wires that may have been leftover from wiring your tree.
When shaping a tree, there are two general approaches: you can choose an artistic style for your tree and let its natural form guide you as far as possible, or you can create an exact replica of a specific landscape such as a mountain scene (this is called penjing). If you’re new at this kind of thing and don’t know where to start, we recommend starting with penjing-style bonsai trees since they tend toward simple shapes and require less pruning than other styles of bonsai. If you’d rather go out on your own and experiment with other styles like forest gardens (kokedama) or headless trees (shohin), feel free!
Trimming the roots and branches
Trimming the roots and branches is an important part of maintaining your bonsai tree. You can trim your plant’s roots with a bonsai tool, which looks like a small pair of scissors with very dull blades. The best time to trim the roots is in fall or winter when your plant is dormant and its growth has slowed down greatly.
Trimming the branches is also important because it helps keep the overall shape of your tree balanced, especially if it’s growing out of proportion compared to its pot size. You can use either a pair of scissors or another type of cutting instrument (like pruning shears) for this purpose as well; just make sure you’re careful not to damage any buds on new growth that could turn into flowers or fruit in future years!
Pruning
Pruning is a crucial part of bonsai cultivation. It allows you to shape and maintain your tree and control its growth, making it look as pleasing as possible. The ideal time for pruning is late winter or early spring when the trees are dormant but not yet showing new buds. This will prevent the loss of leaves once they grow back in the springtime, which can happen if you prune too late into summer when their energy resources are focused on producing new growth.
There are two basic types of pruning: branch cutting and root chopping (also called root pruning). Branch cutting involves cutting off unwanted branches at their base near ground level; this results in stubs that can be covered with moss or soil as natural camouflage overtime should they become unsightly looking due to age or weathering effects on metal surfaces like pipes or other materials used within bonsai culture worldwide today! Root chopping involves removing sections from below ground level so that only one main stem remains connected up top via its crown area; this method helps promote healthy roots while also allowing access between roots inside pots with holes drilled through them so that nutrients can flow freely through channels before reaching specific locations where needed most throughout all seasons!
Planting your own bonsai tree takes time, effort, and patience.
Planting your own bonsai tree takes time, effort, and patience. For example, it can take several years for a tree seedling to grow into a mature bonsai specimen. In addition, you have to be patient because it will take some time before your newly planted tree produces flowers or fruit.
Finally, planting your own bonsai tree requires effort in the form of pruning and watering on a regular basis:
To start with, there are two ways to go about growing your own bonsai trees: from seed or from cuttings (which is faster). If you decide to go the cutting route then look for healthy branches with buds on them that are not yet open; remove these branches from their host plant by using clean pruning shears; pot up these sprigs in separate containers filled with a damp seed-starting mix or potting soil; place these pots indoors so that they can receive plenty of light without overheating; water them regularly until they root themselves into new pots.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this guide and are ready to plant your own bonsai tree! Remember, there are many different kinds of bonsai trees and you should choose the kind that best fits your needs and personality. If you want an even more comprehensive guide, check out these resources for some great advice about how to get started!
