How to care for bonsai
Bonsai care is intriguing. Something about being able to contain what should be a full-sized tree in a pot must appeal to our inner need to be in control. The ancient art of cultivating bonsai plants was begun in China and Japan by Buddhist monks. The name is from two words, ‘bon’ and ‘sai.’ The first means “pot” or “tray” and the second means either “plant” or “cultivate.” Either way, you end up with a plant in a pot. Unlike our American-style container gardening, bonsai are intended for outdoor use.
Some people take up the hobby in order to cultivate some peace in their lives. Others discover that growing bonsai is an exacting art and create stress rather than relaxation.
Following are some tips on how to care for bonsai. Master these and you and your plants will flourish.
The commitment
Bonsai plants can live hundred of years and remain under one meter in height. This stunted growth is achieved by pruning the branches and roots and by depriving the plants of what they need to grow. Bonsai care is not just a temporary hobby. It is a legacy you leave to your grandchildren.
Even if you’re a seasoned gardener, you will need some special tools for this project. You'll need: narrow and wide cutters, concave pliers, tweezers, a Bonsai brush, wire cutters, a root rake, small shovels, a brass or steel trowel, a small saw, a knife, and a fine mist watering can with a long neck
Selection of Plants
A wide variety of plants is available to meet every taste and skill level. Research your options before committing to a specific plant. Looks are important, but check out the hardiness and level of difficulty before your first purchase.
Some of the more common bonsia plants:
- Azalea – most common
- Jade – evergreen succulent
- Japanese Maple – relatively easy
- Bougainvillea – distinct features
- Chinese Elm – indoors or out
- Bald Cypress – good for beginners
- Dwarf Juniper – “Karate Kid”
Watering—the most important skill
Plants should be watered daily, preferably in the morning. Avoid using a hose that has been left in the sun or a nozzle with high pressure. Water thoroughly to get nutrients and fresh oxygen to the plants and to wash salts from the soil. Daily watering is not enough to accomplish this. You should immerse in a container of water weekly until container is drenched. Different types of trees have various watering requirements, so check with the nursery.
Give it a rest
Plants in their natural surroundings will go through a period of dormancy. It is important to provide a vacation for your potted plants as well. Depending on your climate, this may be accomplished by simply leaving it outside in the winter. Placing it inside in a cool room, in a greenhouse, or in some type of protected structure can all achieve the same goal. Be sure to water occasionally when the soil gets extremely dry.
Soil and pots
As with watering, different species have different requirements. Most soils should contain a mixture of a sand or “grit” and hummus. The percentages will vary.
When working with plants, never attempt too much at one time. Pruning and potting are traumatic events. The plant needs a time of recuperation after each major session. The ideal time for repotting is spring.
Selecting pots is less a practical consideration and is more a matter of taste and artistic presentation. Certain rules do apply. Unglazed, rustic pots in earth tones are preferred. Flowering plants may bend the rules and be placed in brightly colored pots. Old plants should be in old pots, while young ones are placed in new.
Symmetry is very important. The pot should echo the shape and size of the tree. For an authentic look, never center the tree in the pot. A sturdy, chunky tree (masculine) should be in a sturdy pot, while a delicate, curving tree (feminine) deserves a more dainty container.
The artist within
Now we have come to the most intriguing part—the designing process. Bonsai artistry is reportedly a skill that can be learned. Study shapes you admire before taking out the shears.
Some of the basic shapes are upright, slanting, and cascading. Shape can convey symbolism as well. A straight solid trunk represents a single tree growing in a field. The windswept look recreates a tree clinging to a windy crag.
Pruning
In order to maintain the desired shape and size, pruning of the branches is essential. During the growing season, the plant may be "finger pruned" to discourage unwanted growth. For major reshaping, cutting tools are used. Old wood is pruned during the autumn. Pruning in one area will redirect growth in the desired direction.
Root pruning must match the branch pruning. Aim for a symmetrical balance above and below the soil. Pruning is traumatic, so it should be done in late fall or early spring. At these times minimal growth is required of the plant. A shallow root system is the goal for these plants.
The bottom line
As you can see, learning to care for bonsai is a task not to be undertaken lightly. But doing so will make you part of a tradition passed down for millennia. And the satisfaction of watching your artwork grow and flourish is priceless.
