They are small potted plants that are kept small by the process of stunting their growth. This is done by restricting the root environment, and pruning the leaves and roots as time progresses. Most bonsai artists shape the trunk and branches by using wire and other methods. You can start a bonsai tree from a seed, or an existing tree. The choices can be overwhelming for someone wanting to get into the art of bonsai.
The answer is YES! Any species of tree can be a bonsai tree! Though there are certain species that seem to perform better as a bonsai. You can use flowering and fruiting shrubs as well as houseplants.
Almost any tree or shrub can be turned into a bonsai. The key is to prune the roots and the foliage so the plant remains or is pruned to be dwarfed. Specifically, bonsai is created from perennial woody-stemmed tree or shrub species that produces true branches and can be cultivated to remain small through pot confinement with crown and root pruning.
I admit that my azalea did not respond well to having its roots severely cut back and crammed into that shallow pot and promptly died! Ancient tradition required you to return to nature to find your potential bonsai, but nowadays, we can just head to the local nursery or greenhouse for a bonsai-worthy plant. Have patience, it can take 4 to 6 months to create a pleasing appearance. To avoid breaking a branch, clip the wire to remove it rather than trying to unwrap it from the plant.
Caring for Bonsai. The shape of your bonsai depends on the material you are using. Some plants such as jade are too soft to wire into shape and will instead need to be pruned appropriately.
After deciding on the look you want to achieve, prune branches starting from the base of the tree to expose the trunk. The root mass may need to be reduced to fit into the new container. If the roots are drastically cut back, the top growth will need to be cut way back as well. When the roots are newly cut, the plant will need to be kept out of the sun while it recovers. Branches and pliable trunks can be wrapped with wire to train them into the appropriate shape.
Hard to believe such a striking plant is growing from such a tiny rootball. While bonsai cherry trees can be grown indoors, they may suffer from lack of light and grow best when grown outdoors in the summer months.
The rough, ragged bark of cedar trees has made them a popular choice among bonsai enthusiasts. Cedar trees are evergreen conifers that grow short needle clusters along their branches, providing an opportunity for very dramatic bonsai styles. Impressive drama aside, cedars are not ideal for beginners. They require specialized care and expertise to grow properly as a bonsai and are best-suited for experienced growers. There are four cedar species frequently grown as bonsai: cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libania , Cyprus cedar Cedrus brevifolia , Himalayan cedar Cedrus deodara , and Atlas cedar Cedrus atlantica.
Ginseng ficus is considered to be an excellent species for beginner bonsai enthusiasts because it is a very hardy and forgiving tree. These broadleaf evergreen trees are characterized by unique-looking aerial roots and oval-shaped dark green leaves. Ginseng ficus makes a low-maintenance bonsai tree, and it doesn't require as much light as other popular bonsai varieties. It grows well indoors as a houseplant since it thrives in warm climates and bright, indirect light.
The beautiful, umbrella-like canopy of the weeping fig makes it a popular choice for bonsai. Its twisted surface roots are another alluring feature that lends well to bonsai styling. Besides its appearance, Ficus benjamina is a hardy, resilient tree making it perfect for bonsai training.
It adapts well to growing indoors and is often grown as a houseplant year-round. Dwarf jade plant is a softwooded semi-evergreen shrubs that makes an excellent bonsai tree for beginners. Dwarf jades look very similar to the more common jade variety Crassula ovata , however, the smaller foliage of the dwarf jade makes it the preferable choice for bonsai growing.
Dwarf jade bonsai trees grow well indoors but need direct sunlight for most of the day. They can also be successfully grown outside but cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.
The thick, knotted bark and striking, fruit-bearing flowers of the pomegranate tree have made it a popular type of bonsai tree. 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. 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. 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.
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.
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