Striving to be closer to nature, people turn their living space into an indoor jungle with tropical plants that are sometimes huge. But what about bringing a whole tree to your house? Everything is possible with bonsai—the Japanese art of growing small trees in usually shallow trays. Their small size is maintained by repetitive root pruning, and their exquisite shapes are ensured by regular crown cutting.
Nevertheless, growing bonsai trees isn’t just about caring for a small plant. Slightly pruning a tree year after year, you are involved in a lifelong meditative routine highly appreciated by Buddhist monks. Traditionally, its main purpose is to make the plant look exactly like it would in the wild, which differs bonsai from usual dwarf varieties. Here are the general categories of miniature tree styles:
- Informal upright—with its top part above the base of the trunk and offshoots growing out of each bend;
- Formal upright—with a straight trunk and lots of branches;
- Slanting—imitating a tree stretching towards the sun or slightly tilted by the wind;
- Semi-cascading—mimicking a tree on a cliffside;
- Cascading—growing downward with the help of special pruning and care and extending below the container.
Where to Start
Choosing a specimen isn’t much different from buying any other houseplant—analyze the growing conditions available in your space. You can either buy an established tree or start one from seed or cutting. The second option lets you shape your masterpiece from the very beginning but is quite challenging for novices, so don’t be ashamed of buying a 4–5-year-old tree. Whichever path you choose, be sure to only select healthy plants.
Almost every tree, deciduous or evergreen, can be turned into bonsai, but there are species more suitable for novices. You can start with an established fukien tea tree, juniper, Chinese elm, Chinese banyan, or Japanese maple. The last one even tolerates some overpruning and inconsistent watering. The willow, fuchsia, ginkgo, or boxwood will suit more experienced gardeners who are patient and brave enough to begin growing a bonsai in a classic way—from cutting.
Make sure to visualize the form of your miniature tree from the very beginning. You will need to prune heavily to define the shape only once and then maintain it year after year. Let nature be your main inspiration—observe the trees growing around you. Bonsai often imitates trees severely altered by weather conditions like wind or sunlight. Apart from the general styles specified above, there are miniature forests, multi-trunk varieties, rock compositions, and trees with stripped bark, so unleash your creativity!
Tools
In any basic bonsai tool kit, you’ll find concave pruners, as they make smooth and safe cuts that will heal up easily. Small scissors are used to cut off individual leaves and tiny branches. Make sure to disinfect your tools before and after pruning and sharpen them regularly. Flexible aluminum or copper wire and raffia are used to secure shoots, creating necessary waves and curves.
Care
It’s time to learn how to make your bonsai thrive!
- Soil. Opt for a commercial potting mix formulated specially for bonsai species. It should be loose, airy and also retain moisture well.
- Watering. Depending on the amount and type of soil, your tree may need up to daily watering. Bonsai roots tend to start rotting easily, so make sure to avoid overwatering. Therefore, add some water only once the container isn’t heavy and the substrate is light-colored and dry. Slight drooping of the leaves also signals that your bonsai needs a drink. Make sure to reduce watering if your plant goes dormant in winter.
- Feeding. Grown in shallow trays with little soil, bonsai trees deplete nutrients quickly. To help your miniature tree thrive, provide it with a regular supply of necessary elements by using a special fertilizer formulated for bonsai. Mind you, slow-release pellets are the most long-lasting.
- Pruning. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased parts and perform formative pruning of the roots and crown at least once every 2–3 years. Mind you, this shocks and weakens the plant, so only leave hollow bumps, treat the cuts, and don’t do much pruning at a time. Don’t cut both roots and branches during one year.
- Pest and disease control. Your miniature tree is susceptible to all the problems its full-size variety is, so make sure to regularly examine and perform preventive treatment necessary for the specimen.
Remember, growing a bonsai tree is an endless process of creating a work of art, so be patient and imaginative. Good luck!