Bonsai is an art that has been studied
and refined for centuries
Growing
and cultivating trees
How
do you grow your own Bonsai tree? The first step is to figure out which tree
species suits your needs, climate, and circumstance. Whether you prefer to keep
your tree indoors, or outdoors will have a big impact on your selection.
Growing Bonsai indoors limits your options to subtropical trees that can
survive indoors. Whereas growing your Bonsai outdoors gives you more options to
choose from. Most non-tropical trees are perfectly fitted to grow outdoors, as
long as they are protected from intense sunlight or freezing temperatures.
Choosing an indigenous tree for your area is the safest bet. Once you've
identified the best tree species for you, there are several possible
cultivation techniques. To get started you need to acquire seeds or pre-bonsai,
rough material to be pruned and wired. This short Bonsai orientation will help
you select an indoor Bonsai, or outdoor tree that best meets your
criteria.
Now
that we've selected the best tree species for you, let's take a look at how you
can actually get one! The easiest thing to do is to buy a ready-made Bonsai
tree from an online store. You can choose from a wide variety of tree species
that come in many shapes and sizes, but they come with a hefty price tag,
especially the older ones. A more economical approach is to purchase pre-bonsai
or nursery stock, which is a great way to achieve quick results! An even
cheaper approach is to collect trees from your natural surroundings, but it can
be quite tricky, and you must ask for permission from the landowner before
uprooting any trees... And if those options don’t sound appealing to you, we’ve
created our very own Bonsai starter kits to create your own
Bonsai tree, for you to follow along, and learn all the fundamentals of Bonsai.
A
less expensive and very slow method is to cultivate your own tree using seeds or
cuttings. It will normally take around 3-5 years before a young tree can be
styled, so you might want to do this as a side project, and buy a pre-bonsai to
get started with styling techniques sooner.
Shaping
and styling techniques
Now
that you've bought or cultivated a tree, let's get started with shaping and
styling it. This is the creative and fun part of growing Bonsai, but it's also
the most challenging part. Although it takes decades to master and refine
techniques like pruning and wiring to keep trees miniaturized, some basics can
be learned quite easily. We'll start with the basics of pruning and wiring, but
make sure to read the "styling" section for more detailed
information.
Bonsai is not a race, nor
is it a destination. It is a never-ending journey.
Let's
begin with the single most important technique to Bonsai, pruning. Pruning is a
crucial practice used to shape trees and keep them miniature. The goal is to
create a Bonsai that accurately replicates a miniature version of a full-scale
tree in its natural environment. The best time to prune your tree is during
Spring, Although there are some differences depending on the type of tree you
have. Make sure to buy a good pair of concave cutters when pruning thick
branches. They create a more hollow wound that heals much better than those
made by standard cutters. Though I can’t tell you which branches to prune
without actually seeing your tree, it's very helpful to look at some Bonsai progressions examples. Some
instances in which a branch should be removed include:
- When there
are two branches at the same height on the tree trunk, cut one, and keep
the other.
- If you have
a branch with unnatural twists and turns.
- If you
notice disproportionately thick branches at the top of the tree.
Another
important technique to shape Bonsai trees is wiring. By carefully wrapping
anodized aluminum, or annealed copper, around branches you can bend and shape
them to your will, at least to a certain extent. Wiring can be applied
year-round, but make sure to remove the wire promptly before it starts digging
into branches that grow thicker. Make sure to read the wiring page in the
styling section for more detailed instructions.
Care
and maintenance
Maintenance
and care is a crucial part of growing a Bonsai tree. Although every tree
species has its specific care guidelines, I'll discuss some of the basics
beginning with watering. Be sure to identify your Bonsai for specific
instructions.
How
much and with what frequency you should water a Bonsai depends on a wide range
of factors, such as; tree species, pot size, soil-mixture, and climate. Because
Bonsai are usually planted in such small pots, they tend to dry up fairly
quickly, so it's important to water your Bonsai regularly. However,
over-watering can result in root-rot, which is one of the leading causes of
death for most Bonsai. Choosing the right soil mixture for your Bonsai and
re-potting regularly is crucial to keep your tree healthy. Most Bonsai need to
be repotted every 2 years to make sure the trees don’t become pot-bound, which
makes it harder to soak up and store water. An important rule for watering is
to keep a close eye on your tree and soil and water when necessary, rather than
watering once a day, or on a schedule. Water your Bonsai thoroughly to make
sure the soil absorbs water properly.
Besides
watering and repotting, fertilization is another important thing to keep in
mind. Small pots with little space limit water and nutrient retention.
Fertilizing regularly in the tree's growing season is key to make sure your
tree stays healthy and thrives. Again, the amount and frequency with which you
fertilize your Bonsai depends on the tree species you have. Which brand and/or
type of fertilizer you choose won't have a major effect on your plant. You can
use solid or liquid fertilizer as long as you make sure to apply smaller
quantities than normal plants require.
Placing
an outdoor tree inside, or vice versa is a sure way to kill your Bonsai. Before
purchasing or cultivating you should decide where to place your tree.
Sub-tropical trees will do perfectly fine indoors, though they generally need a
lot of light and relatively high humidity. They can only be grown outdoors if
you live somewhere with a warm enough climate. If you're more interested in an
outdoor tree, it's best to choose one that is native to your environment.
Please note, even trees that are indigenous to your area may require some
additional protection from frost during cold winters. Because of their small
and shallow pots, they are more susceptible to frost.
Indoor Bonsai location
a ficus, carmona and Chinese elm.
In most houses the only place where a Bonsai will do well
is right at a South facing window, as lots of light is crucial for the health
of your tree. When placed even just a few feet away from a window the
light intensity will drop significantly, slowing down growth and ultimately
killing your Bonsai.
Indoor Bonsai are usually (sub)tropical tree species, like
the Ficus or Carmona, which means they need a relatively high humidity as
well. Placing the Bonsai on a humidity tray will help. Place indoor trees
somewhere with a constant temperature throughout the day.
Outdoor Bonsai location
a juniper, pine and maple
Depending on where you live, most trees need
to be placed outside year-round. The annual cycle is crucial for the
health of most trees; overprotecting your tree in the winter season for
example will weaken your tree. Make sure to establish what tree species
you have.
As a rule of thumb; place outdoor Bonsai at a bright spot
with lots of light. If your summers are especially hot, providing afternoon
shade will be beneficial for your trees
Watering
The most important part
of taking care of your Bonsai trees is watering. How often a tree needs to be
watered depends on several factors such as; species of the tree, size of the
tree, size of the pot, time of year, soil-mixture, and climate. I can’t tell
you how often you should water Bonsai without knowing what kind of tree you
have. However, understanding a few basic guidelines will help understand and
identify when a tree needs to be watered.
How often
should I water my Bonsai?
As mentioned previously, how often a Bonsai tree needs
to be watered depends on many factors, and providing an exact guide is not
possible. Instead, you need to observe your trees individually. The following
guidelines will teach you what to look out for and how to identify when to
water your Bonsai:
- Water your trees when the soil gets slightly dry
Be sure not to water your tree if the soil is still wet, but don't let the tree dry out either. As a beginner, use your fingers at about one centimeter deep, (0.4") to check the soil moisture. If it's slightly dry, go ahead and water your tree. This will become more obvious as you gain experience. You'll be able to see, rather than feel when your tree needs watering.
- Never water on a routine
Keep a close eye on your trees individually to determine when each one needs watering. Avoid watering all of your trees on a daily routine, until you know exactly what you are doing.
- Use the right soil-mixture
The soil-mixture greatly influences how often trees need to be watered. Most Bonsai trees thrive on a mixture of akadama, pumice, and lava rock in a ratio of ½ to ¼ to ¼. However, if you are not able to water regularly, you can use a mixture that retains more water by using more akadama or even using compost in your potting
Most of the water will flow right out of the pot when
watering this tree. The roots are too compacted so the soil-mass won't be able
to absorb much water. This tree needs to be repotted!
When?
It doesn't matter what time you water a Bonsai. Some
experts do advise not to use cold water when the soil is warm from being in the
sun because it cools the tree too. Although this is something that you should
keep in mind, you should water your tree as soon as the soil gets slightly dry,
no matter what time it is.
How to
water Bonsai trees?
When you've determined that the soil is slightly dry and
the tree needs water, make sure to thoroughly soak the entire root system. Keep
watering until water runs out of the bottom drainage holes, and possibly repeat
the process a few minutes later.
Pour water from above using a watering can with a fine
nozzle to prevent the soil from being washed away. If you keep your Bonsai
indoors, you can place your tree in your kitchen sink and water the tree
thoroughly, before placing it back. The best water you can use is rainwater
because it doesn't contain any added chemicals, but when this is not readily
available there is no problem in using normal tap water.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing regularly during the growing
season is crucial for Bonsai to survive and thrive. Trees are usually able to
extend their root system in search of nutrients, but since Bonsai are confined
to the relatively small pots they are planted in, they need proper
fertilization to replenish the soil's nutritional content.
The basic components of fertilizer
There are three basic elements in any fertilizer; Nitrogen, Phosphorous,
and Potassium (NPK.) Nitrogen increases the growth of the leaves and stems or
the growth above ground. Phosphorus contributes to healthy root growth and the
growth of fruits and flowers. Potassium enhances overall plant health. Growers
often use different ratios of NPK for different trees and at different times of
the year. However, experts are increasingly recommending using the same NPK
ratio throughout the Bonsai growth cycle. Apart from the three macronutrients
(NPK), fertilizers can also include a range of micronutrients like Iron,
Manganese, Boron, Molybdenum, Zinc, and Copper.
When should I apply fertilizer?
Most Bonsai trees should be fertilized during the entire growing season;
early spring through mid-autumn. Older and more mature trees are often
fertilized less frequently, depending on the species, time of year, stage of
development, and health of the tree. Indoor trees can be fertilized all year
round.
Biogold
is an organic fertilizer from Japan, often used for bonsai trees.
Which fertilizer to choose?
It is important to choose the right fertilizer for your Bonsai plants and
apply the right quantities. We recommend using a relatively high Nitrogen
content fertilizer like NPK 10:6:6. in spring, a more balanced fertilizer like
NPK 6:6:6 is more optimal for summertime, and a low Nitrogen fertilizer like
NPK 3:6:6 for autumn. More and more, experts are favoring using a balanced
fertilizer throughout the growing season, and slowly decreasing the amount
applied towards the end of the growing season.
Subtropical tree species are usually kept indoors and don't experience
seasonal changes. They grow year-round and need to be fertilized consistently.
For indoor Bonsai, we recommend a balanced liquid fertilizer. Follow the
guidelines as stated on the product packaging.
There are a few exceptions worth pointing out for using varying ratios of
NPK. Using a high Phosphorous fertilizer like NPK 6:10:6 can help promote the
flowering growth of a Bonsai tree. Using a fertilizer with a slightly lower
Nitrogen content or reducing the amount of fertilizer used can be advantageous
for older or more mature Bonsai.
Bonsai fertilizer is like any other, but buying from an online Bonsai
shop will ensure you find the right NPK values to promote
Bonsai growth. Biogold is a favored fertilizer among Bonsai enthusiasts, but
any fertilizer with the right NPK value is perfectly fine. There is a wide
variety of liquid, solid, synthetic, and organic fertilizers. What type of
fertilizer you use, doesn't matter, but you have to make sure to carefully
follow the application guidelines as stated on the product’s packaging.
How to fertilize your Bonsai
The quantity of fertilizer you use and the frequency in which you apply
it can vary depending on which fertilizer you buy. Follow the instructions
listed on your fertilizer packaging to make sure you feed your Bonsai
correctly. You can choose to slightly reduce the recommended quantity for trees
that are no longer in training to balance their growth, instead of stimulating
it. When using solid fertilizer it helps to use fertilizer covers to make sure
the fertilizer stays in place. Never overfeed your trees, as this will have
serious consequences for their health.
A
step-by-step guide to fertilizing a Bonsai
2. When using a solid and organic fertilizer, we recommend Biogold, Aoki, or Tamahi. But you can select other brands of course!
3. Put the fertilizer in cups/baskets, to make sure it is not washed away while watering or eaten by birds.
4. The cups are placed onto the soil surface.
5. On this size tree and pot, we place three baskets filled with Biogold fertilizer.
6. We can also choose to feed the tree with a liquid fertilizer.
7. This is a Japanese brand of liquid fertilizer, but feel
free to choose another brand.
8. Read the fertilizer instructions to learn how often and in which quantities to apply the Bonsai fertilizer.
9. The liquid fertilizer is applied while watering your
tree.
Potting
To prevent your Bonsai from being pot-bound and ultimately starving to death, It's crucial to repot, or transplant regularly. A tree becomes pot-bound as it uses up the available nutrients in the soil and the roots grow to the shape of the pot. Due to the lack of space and nutrients, the trees stop growing, and if no action is taken, it will surely die. Repotting or transplanting your Bonsai will resupply the tree with the nutrients it needs to grow and flourish.
How often should I repot?
How often you should repot depends on the size of the pot and tree species of your Bonsai. Fast-growing trees need to be repotted every two years, sometimes sooner. Older, more mature trees need to be repotted every three to five years. Repotting is not something that should be routine. Check your Bonsai early in the spring by carefully removing the tree from its pot. If you see the roots circling around the root system, your Bonsai needs to be repotted. If the roots are still contained within soil, leave it and check again the following spring.
When to repot?
The best time to repot a Bonsai is early in the spring, while trees are
still dormant. At this stage trees are not sustaining full-grown foliage, so
the damaging effect of repotting will be minimized. Repotting in early spring
will also ensure that damage done to the root system will be quickly repaired,
as soon as the tree starts growing.
Bonsai soil mixture
Choosing the proper soil mixture is crucial for the health of your trees.
It should allow water to drain enough to prevent the roots from rotting, while
also absorbing enough water to hydrate the tree. Some tree species need special
soil mixtures, but the following mixture is suitable for most trees:
Akadama, pumice, and lava rock in a ratio of 2:1:1. If you know you won't
have time to water your trees regularly, add more Akadama for a more
water-absorbing mixture. If your tree is in a more humid climate, add more lava
rock for a mixture that permits more draining.
Bonsai repotting guide
1. Make sure you have the right tools; a root rake, scissors, wire cutter, and a chopstick.
2. Often Bonsai are anchored to the pot they are planted in; in that case, cut the wire.
3. Carefully remove the tree from its pot using a root rake.
4.Evaluate if repotting is necessary; in this case, it is,
as the roots are circling around the inside of the pot.
5. Using a chopstick, carefully remove the old soil, start on the sides and bottom of the tree. Try to avoid damaging roots in the process. When repotting pines, leave at least half the root mass untouched to protect the mycorrhizal fungus which is essential for the tree’s survival.
6. Using scissors, cut away any roots that have grown too long. Do not prune more than 30% of all roots. The root pruning is important for balancing the growth of your Bonsai.
7. In this case, we repot the tree into the same pot. We
prepare the pot by covering the drainage holes with mesh.
8. The mesh is held in place with wire.
9. We also attach an additional wire, which we will use to stabilize and anchor the tree to the pot later.
10. Add a thin layer of heavy grain soil first, like lava rock, grit, or akadama, which serves as a drainage layer.
11. Next, add another thin layer of Bonsai soil.
12. Place the tree back in its pot. Use the wires
previously attached in step 9 to hold the tree in place.
13. Add Bonsai soil around the tree.
14. Use your chopstick to work the soil around the roots, making sure to fill all the air pockets around the root system.
Using the right soil mixture for your Bonsai
trees is crucial. Soil is important to supply your trees with nutrients, but it
also needs to drain properly, provide enough aeration, and retain water. Most
online Bonsai shops offer ready-mixed soils, but preparing a soil mixture
yourself saves money, and gives control over the exact mixture for your
particular tree species.
The quality of soil used directly affects the health and vigor of your
tree. It’s our experience that unhealthy trees, that lack vigor, are very often
planted in poor, often organic, Bonsai soil. Or worse, planted in normal garden
soil. These types of soil harden easily when it gets dry, which is very harmful
to the growth of Bonsai trees.
Bonsai substrates
The soil requires several qualities for it to be considered a good soil
mix for your bonsai.
- Good water-retention
The soil needs to be able to soak in and retain sufficient quantities of water to supply moisture to the Bonsai between each watering. However, too much water retention will damage your tree.
- Good drainage
Excess water must be able to drain immediately from the pot. Too much water-retention will rot the roots and kill the tree. Soils that don’t drain well enough also lack aeration and are prone to a buildup of salts.
- Good aeration
The particles used in a Bonsai mix should be big enough to allow tiny gaps, or air pockets, between each particle. Other than providing oxygen for the roots, these air pockets also allow for good bacteria and mycorrhizae. This allows the processing of food to happen before being absorbed by the tree’s root-hairs and sent to the leaves for photosynthesis.
A particle-based, well-structured, inorganic soil allows water to drain
quickly and fresh air to continually enter the soil. A compacted organic soil
that lacks structure also lacks aeration and drainage which deteriorates the
overall health of your tree, and without swift action, will eventually cause
root rot and kill your bonsai.
Organic or Inorganic Soils
Soil mixes are described as being either organic or inorganic. Dead plant
matters such as peat, leaf-litter, or bark are described as being organic soil
components. The potential problem with organic soil components is that organic
matter breaks down and reduces drainage over time. Some organic components
deteriorate at varying speeds, so it’s hard to say how quickly organic soil
becomes harmful. If you’re adamant about using an organic soil mix, we
recommend choosing a mixture that uses pine bark. Most potting composts absorb
water very poorly once they are completely dry. This is one of the biggest
problems for cheap indoor Bonsai trees purchased at garden centers. You’d think
you watered the tree but the water runs past the soil into the bottom of the
pot!
Inorganic soil components contain little to no organic matter such as
volcanic lava, calcite, and baked/fired clays. They absorb fewer nutrients and
water than organic soils but are great for drainage and aeration. The limited
absorption capacity also gives us more control over the amount of fertilizer in
the soil.
Soil components
The most common components for Bonsai soil mixtures are Akadama, Pumice,
Lava rock, organic potting compost, and fine gravel also known as grit.
From left to right; organic potting compost,
Akadama, Pumice, and lava rock.
Akadama is hard-baked Japanese clay
specifically produced for Bonsai purposes and available on all online Bonsai
shops. If you purchase Akadama, keep in mind that It needs to be sifted before
use, and after about two years it does start to break down which reduces
aeration. This means that regular repotting is required, or that Akadama should
be used in a mix with well-draining soil components. Akadama is rather
expensive and is therefore sometimes substituted with similar fired/baked clays
that are easily available at any garden center. Even cat-litter can be used as
a substitute.
Pumice is a soft volcanic rock, which can
absorb water and nutrients quite well. When used in a Bonsai soil mix it helps
to retain water and allows the roots to ramify very well.
Lava rock also helps retain water and create a
good structure when part of a Bonsai substrate. Roots can't grow into the Lava
rock.
Organic potting compost is
made up of peat moss, perlite, and sand. On its own, it retains too much water
and doesn't allow for proper aeration and drainage, but as part of a soil
mixture, it can work very well.
Fine gravel / grit helps to create a
well-draining and aerated Bonsai soil. It is also used as a bottom layer in
Bonsai pots to enhance drainage. Most experts have stopped using it, as they
tend to stick with a mixture of Akadama, Pumice, and Lava rock.
we can describe two main mixtures we use for either deciduous or
coniferous trees. Both mixtures consist of Akadama for water retention, Pumice
for good substrate structure, and Lava rock for aeration and drainage.
Note that both mixtures can, and should, be adapted to your circumstances
and/or location. If you know you won’t have enough time to check on your trees
twice a day, then add more Akadama or organic potting compost to your mix for
increased water retention. If you live somewhere with a wet climate, add more
lava rock or grit to enhance the draining qualities of your mixture.
Deciduous tree Bonsai soil
50% Akadama
25% Pumice
25% Lava rock
Coniferous / Pine Bonsai soil
33% Akadama
33% Pumice
33% Lava rock
Mixing
Bonsai substrate, step by step
1. Akadama is a baked clay from Japan, which comes in several sizes. We selected a medium-sized grain in this case.
2.We sift out the dust.
2. Removing the dust will make sure our soil mixture will remain airy and drains well.
4. The next component we use; Pumice. No need to sift.
5. And finally; Lava rock. If your specific product is dusty, sift it as well.
6. In some instances adding organic soil can be advised, especially when water absorption is important.
7. Usually, however, we recommend this mix (consisting of
Akadama, Pumice, and Lava rock).
Like any other living
plant, Bonsai trees can be infected by any kind of pest or disease. However,
when your plants are healthy and cared for properly, the risk of infection is
reduced to a minimum.
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