Growing and enjoying lush green trees are the luxuries that not many can afford these days as people are increasingly dwelling in apartments. Apartments also do not provide enough scope for people to indulge in their hobby gardening. However, there are many who have found an alternative — Bonsai. It’s the art of growing trees in containers that originated in China around 1,000 years ago, and later was developed by Japanese. In many houses today, around the world, one can find bonsai trees giving the soothing green touch to the living room setting. In addition to trees, plants and also shrubs can be developed into a bonsai.

Bonsai is often considered a piece of art, and to grow bonsai trees, one requires expertise and patience. The miniature form of the tree takes around five years to develop. It’s usually developed from a seed or cutting. A comprehensive research is required on how to develop a tree, the kind of soil one should use, watering process, environmental requirements, and other requirements. A number of books, written by experts, are available in the market on Bonsai techniques. Also, one can find comprehensive information online. It’s also a good idea to consult a Bonsai expert before buying the container to grow 6 inches to 3 ft tall tree.

One should consider the geographical location and accordingly select the tree species. The selection of the container is as important as selecting the plant that one wants to develop into bonsai tree.  The size and style of the tree depends on the container, and also it should be aesthetically appealing. The selected tree should be pruned to give it the desired shape, and the some of the branches should be wired. Before, transferring the tree to the bonsai pot, a lot of the roots should be cut. It’s important to understand the soil make-up before covering the root with it.

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There happens to be an amazing choice of plants and trees from which to choose which you can train to be a bonsai. One of the first and easiest ways to see whether a plant or tree could possibly be well suited for bonsai is to check if it has a woody stem. If it does it may work for making your bonsai plant.

Exactly where are you growing your bonsai plant? If you live in a temperate climate and will be growing your bonsai outside you will probably choose from a winter-hardy species, and if you are growing your plant indoors or are in a warm climate year-round you could possibly choose a tropical or sub-tropical species.

Take a look at the following list of plants and trees that I regard to be good selections for the novice bonsai gardener. These plants are very commonly used and ought to be reasonably easy to find:

The Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum) is a deciduous tree that has green foliage in the spring which turn a lovely rich red over the summer and a dazzling red in the autumn. This tree doesn’t require a great amount of upkeep beyond what is required for most bonsai plants. Grow it in full summer sunlight but shield it from excessive cold and severe frost in the winter. As with all bonsai, watering your plant adequately is important. This maple favors small, frequent watering, and make sure you never let the soil dry out entirely.

One more favorite is the Chinese Juniper (Juniperus Chinensis). This coniferous juniper with dark green needle-shaped foliage is hardy and easy to work with. Put it in full sun during summer months but shield the needles from intense cold and frost in the winter. This is a plant that should be kept in moist soil all year round. Don’t overdo it and let it sit in water, and never let the soil dry out totally.

The Chinese Elm (Ulmus Parvifolia) is one of the best trees of all for the beginner bonsai grower. This tree is relatively slow growing and very forgiving of bad cutting and pruning. The glossy, leathery leaves are sometimes still present midway through winter. For the best results make sure you keep the plant inside an area that’s sheltered from the wind, but that’s still pleasant and sunny. Over the winter you can keep it in a cool room that has good light. The Chinese elm, like the Chinese juniper, likes it best if the soil is consistently moist, but only during the summer and fall months. Cut back at the end of fall after which you can keep the soil only barely moist after the tree has dropped all of it’s leaves.

The Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina) is a very familiar houseplant, very regularly seen in offices as well as homes because it is comparatively low-maintenance. Commonly sold as a common houseplant it can be successfully modified and trained as an indoor bonsai plant. Due to the fact this plant is accustomed to living in a very warm environment it should only be grown indoors. You should definitely keep the soil moist during the warm summer months. You can actually cut back in winter but never let the soil dry out completely.

These five examples barely scratch the surface of the huge number of options for your bonsai plant. All of these trees and plants on the list should be easy to find at your nearby nursery or garden center.

Getting started in bonsai is easy. A good, practical, step-by-step guide to bonsai gardening is essential to a beginner’s success. And I’m not talking about a picture-book that is better suited for the coffee table. I have a link on my website to what I consider to be the best practical guide, dollar for dollar, that you can find. Don’t wait to get started in this fascinating hobby. Check out this really great book and get started today!

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About the Author:
Bonsai gardening is a hobby that is fascinating, affordable, and easy to get involved in. Bonsai can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and can last a lifetime. Click this link to learn more about selecting a good first bonsai plant, and sign up for your FREE 7-part introductory mini-course on how to grow miniature bonsai trees. Or, to get started growing your own bonsai trees right away check out the highly regarded “how-to” bonsai book “Beautiful Bonsai Secrets”.
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• Grow an Indoor Bonsai Tree – Part I (0)

People that are not yet completely familiar with the art and horticulture of bonsai suppose that bonsai trees and plants must be grown indoors. This belief may be because all bonsai trees and plants are planted in small pots rather than planted in the garden, or perhaps they saw their first bonsai at an indoor garden show.

Sometimes this misunderstanding can result in the early on and untimely death of the beginning bonsai artist’s first tree, which may deter him/her from making another attempt at growing a bonsai. So be sure that you understand that some plants and trees are emphatically classified as an indoor bonsai tree, while others are more suited to be grown outdoors.

The trees and plants that are generally considered to be indoor bonsai are those that are native to tropical and subtropical climates, and they are being grown as bonsai in a more temperate climate. If you want your indoor bonsai trees and plants to thrive then you must be sure to keep them in a warm and humid environment, similar to that environment where they come from. Providing the appropriate levels of humidity is usually the largest challenge for the indoor bonsai gardener. One easy way to keep the humidity levels up for your indoor bonsai is to spray it frequently with a mister.

Indoor bonsai trees do not have the same growth patterns as bonsai trees that are grown outdoors because they are not subjected to the same seasonal light and temperature changes. As an illustration, a hardy deciduous outdoor bonsai will go through the cycle of new growth in spring, fullness of growth during summer, loss of leaves in the fall, and then a dormant spell of rest during the winter. Because they are generally native to topical and subtropical regions which don’t experience dramatic seasonal changes, indoor bonsai trees are usually “evergreen”, meaning that they are green all year. Under certain conditions an outdoor bonsai plant can stay green year-round rather than lose it’s leaves in the fall and go dormant during the winter.

The methods of pruning and training indoor bonsai is much the same as with outdoor bonsai, with the exception being the timing of the training and pruning. Pruning, cutting, grafting and other training methods are usually only done during preiods of growth and dormancy on outdoor bonsai plants. Indoor bonsai often have a continuous growing period, although they tend to be more active in the spring and summer.

You are better off shopping for a suitable plant to make into an indoor bonsai tree at a nursery or garden center than to purchase one at a supermarket. There is a wide variety of plant and tree types to choose from to create an indoor bonsai. You can even take some ordinary house plants and train them to become bonsai. In Part II of my article on Indoor Bonsai, I will report how to choose the best plant material for your bonsai, and also offer a list of 4-5 plants and trees that are greatly suitable as indoor bonsai, as well as highly suitable for the beginner bonsai enthusiast.

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About the Author:
Mike Andrews is a gardener and author and has been a devoted enthusiast of the art of bonsai for many years. Read all of his additional articles on bonsai trees, including those relating to the indoor bonsai tree on his website at www.myjapanesebonsai.com. Please visit and sign up for his FREE 7-part mini-course on how to grow and train miniature bonsai trees.
Peace.
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Coniferous trees can be used to make lovely bonsai specimens, and among the most popular of conifers for bonsai is the juniper. The hugely popular juniper tree has over 50 varieties that can be found all over the world. Juniper are also one of the easiest bonsai trees to take care of, hence their popularity, particularly among novice bonsai growers. The juniper bonsai tree can be grown both indoors and outdoors, nonetheless, poor humidity, lack of decent light, and lack of a dormant period will ultimately kill them. A Juniper bonsai tree will tolerate short periods of being inside but if you really want it to thrive then keep it outside.

Juniper trees have two distinctive types of foliage that they display at different stages of their life. Young juniper trees have foliage that is like needles, and when they mature the foliage is more scale-like. Foliage will range in color from blue-greens to light-greens, even showing silver or gold hues on occassion.

A traditional juniper for bonsai is at times referred to as a Chinese Juniper. Another very popular species for bonsai is the Needle Juniper. The Needle Juniper gets it name from it’s very sharply pointed needles.

Watering Your Juniper

With most bonsai trees it would not be a good idea to let them dry out between waterings – not true with the juniper, it likes to dry out. Test the soil everyday to determine when it is time to water your juniper tree. If the soil in the pot looks and feels dry on the surface it is time to water it again. Put your finger into the soil to a depth of about one half to one inch. If the soil feels dry then you have to water your bonsai. Never allow your bonsai to go completely dry or it may suffer damage and die. Set your bonsai in the sink or in a container of water, practically up to the rim, for 15-30 minutes or until all the air bubbles stop rising and the soil is saturated. After watering using this suggestion you want to make certain that you allow it to drain completely because junipers are vulnerable to root rot if the roots sit in water. If you can’t soak your plants using this method then water thoroughly from the top, wait a few minutes, and then water again. You may need to do this a few times until the soil has been thoroughly soaked. A complete water cycle will go from the soil being completely soaked to being sort of dry.

A frequent spraying of your juniper bonsai’s foliage will help keep them free of dust and help them to breathe. This is particularly important for trees that have recently been repotted. Your bonsai is at risk of becoming dehydratred until the roots have recovered from the repotting and can bring water to the whole tree. A good spraying will also cut excess transpiration from the juniper’s foliage.

Make Sure Your Juniper Gets the Right Amount of Sunlight

Outdoors are where most Juniper bonsai trees are typically grown. A juniper bonsai tree will tolerate full sun, but the ideal circumstance would be to allow it to get low strength morning sunlight with afternoon shade. Alternatively, filtered or shaded sunlight all day would be fine.

Humidity

Almost all trees and plants love humid growing conditions. You can use a humidity tray beneath your potted juniper bonsai to maintain a higher level of humidity. Place your bonsai pot on top of the stones in the tray. After you’ve given your bonsai a good watering from the top the tray can also serve as a collection area for excess water. Again, a good spraying should be done in between waterings.

Fertilizing

Use a high nitrogen fertilizer in the spring and fertilize every three weeks, then use a more balanced fertilizer during the summer months, and then reduce the nitrogen for fall fertilizing. A diluted, half strength fertilizer will keep your roots from being damaged if you are using a chemical fertilizer.

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About the Author:
Mike Andrews is a gardener and author and has been a devoted enthusiast of the art of bonsai for many years. Read his additional articles relating to the Juniper bonsai tree on his website at www.myjapanesebonsai.com. Please visit and sign up for his FREE 7-part mini-course on how to grow and train miniature bonsai trees. Peace.
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• Welcome to Your Bonsai Dreams! (0)

Bonsai trees are beautiful and they can make wonderful ornaments. Special care and precision tools are required to ensure that your bonsai stays healthy and well maintained. Beginners or new comers to the bonsai hobby will not need a wide range of tools, only the basics. As your skill and talent increase you might need to add a few tools to your kit. Always remember to buy quality tools that will last rather than inexpensive tools.

The main categories of the bonsai tools required are pruning and cutting tools, potting, a good pair of scissors and the wiring tools. Each category is explained in greater detail below:

Wiring Tools

To bend and shape the bonsai you will need wire and a number of tools. Wire cutters are essential to cut wires that are used to secure the bonsai to the ground and direct roots. Pliers are used to bend thicker wires and maneuver the branches that are secured. Long nosed pliers will be needed to bend wire that is hard to reach such as in crevices.

Pruning and Maintenance Tools

Just like roses or bushes, bonsai require regular pruning and cutting to ensure they remain in shape and in good condition. A pruning saw, branch cutters, secateurs and knob cutters will be required to maintain the bonsai. Wound treatment oil or sealant can be purchased from your local nursery or bonsai specialist dealer as the oil will help speed up the repair process of cut or damaged branches.

Scissors

On of the main tools and most probably the most used tool is a sharp, sturdy pair of scissors. Scissors have many uses in the bonsai hobby from cutting leaves and roots to opening bags and trimming young stems. Never drop scissors as it damages them and the scissors will never be the same again.

Potting Tools

Potting tools are needed when potting a bonsai as well as later on when the bonsai roots are pruned and cut. Wire mesh can be used to stop water and valuable soil such as compost from falling out of the container. A soil scoop and hand spade are needed to place sand over the roots and to dig. Older bonsai trees will require repotting due to a number of reasons such as a new container or the outgrowing of a container. Repotting will only take place every 2 to 3 years.

These tools are important as they can make the task of maintaining a bonsai easier as well as make the trees look beautiful. Many nurseries or bonsai specialists will have beginner kits or bonsai care kits available for sale. If you are able to buy a kit it is recommended as all the necessary tools and materials will be together and this will be easier than having to purchase all the bonsai tools separately.

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About the Author:
Popea Ionut is an avid bonsai grower and has a passion for indoor bonsai care. You can find out more about growing great bonsai trees that will impress your friends and family at www.FukienTea.Net
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Some gardeners confuse the concept of dwarfing with the practice of bonsai tree growing. Dwarfing is when a tree is genetically breed over time and over generations to reflect a specific attribute. For example, dogs might be breed over time so that they are faster for racing. A similar concept happens with dwarfing except the tree is breed to be smaller over successive generations. Bonsai tree growing on the other hand is when the bonsai is genetically the same as any other tree and is not breed to be smaller. Instead, by controlling its environment the owners can restrict its size and control its shape.

This is done through the techniques of wiring, pruning, clamping, defoliation, root reduction, grafting and by other means. These techniques take years to master and learning them is said to produce a calming effect on your life. In fact many spiritual and holy men from East Asian countries practice bonsai tree growing as it is said to be similar to meditative practice. This may be because whilst your everyday life is fast and busy, growing bonsai trees is said to be a slow, time consuming process so this helps to contrast and put things in perspective. Also the rewards from watching your tree grow over the years can be very powerful.

When you’re growing a bonsai tree you can start out by choosing a seedling. You can get this from a local gardening store along with a pot, soil and a few other tools to start yourself off. You can also take a cutting from an existing tree, which will slowly grow into its own separate tree. Both of these methods require quite a bit of time for a beginner and so new owner might instead want to pick a young, small premade bonsai that is ready to be styled for the future.

Most people would think of bonsai trees as indoor plants and that most of their time is spent on the windowsill. Actually, Bonsai trees are usually grown outdoors although there are some species that require inside care. This perception of the trees as normally indoors is probably because during exhibitions and competitions the trees are normally displayed indoors. However, in practice most bonsais are grown outdoors as long as the species is suited to the climate in which they are growing.

There are many differences between bonsai tree species and so great care must be taken when choosing the correct plant for your climate. But because of misinformation, bonsai trees are often badly cared for and unfortunately sometimes end up dieing. However, by following the correct instruction and techniques, bonsai tree care doesn’t have to be difficult and can be a very rewarding experience to be had over years of your life.

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About the Author:
Tim Green has been looking after bonsai trees for many years and loves helping others do the same. For more information on bonsai tree care visit his website at www.bonsaitreecarecenter.com
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