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The First Steps to Indoor Bonsai Tree Success

Guest Blogger — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:16:32 +0000

Image by 1967geezer via Flickr

Growing an indoor bonsai tree can be a great hobby full of rewards and relaxation. Or, it can be a frustrating experience that ends up costing a lot of money with nothing to show for it.

What makes the difference? There is a plain and simple answer – knowledge and patience.

Does this mean that the beginner has no hope of being successful? No! It just means that before starting the wonderful journey into the world of bonsai, you must make sure that you have the basic knowledge to maximize your chance for success.

Two of the first steps are choosing a optimal location and choosing the correct species.

Indoor bonsai Tree Location

The first thing you need to consider is where you want to keep your bonsai tree. Since a bonsai is, after nothing more than a miniature tree – the only difference between a bonsai tree and a regular ordinary tree is the size and care – they are best grown outdoors.

This doesn’t mean that you can grow an indoor bonsai tree – just that extreme care is needed on such things as type, location, tools and supplies. Indoor bonsai trees in general should be placed in a sunny area near a window where there is minimal exposure to variations in temperature.

Do not place a bonsai tree on a window sill however, as there is a high chance of temperature variation there. Also avoid areas near heating ducts or vents, as the temperature will vary there.

Indoor bonsai Species

Indoor bonsai trees generally range from 8 to 12 inches in height. There are several species that do well indoors provided there are the correct conditions.

In general you want to choose a tropical or subtropical species, as these are types that generally thrive at a temperature around 65 degrees. Since this is close to the temperature that most people keep their homes and offices, these species do very well indoors.

Some of the most popular types of indoor bonsai trees include: Baby Jade, Chinese Elm, Ficus, and Japanese Maple. The primary factors to look at when choosing a tree are to look at which one or ones thrive in an environment that matches your home, which styles have availability of good quality trees, and of course personal preference.

Choosing a good location and the correct type of tree are among the most crucial elements for indoor bonsai tree success. It is well worth the effort to learn important details before purchasing your indoor bonsai tree.

If you correctly place your tree, and choose a species that adapts well to an indoor environment, you will be well on your way to a successful bonsai experience. bonsai is a hobby and art form you can enjoy for a lifetime!

Kathleen is an Internet Marketer and author of the bonsai Tree" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.indoor-bonsai-tree.net" target="_blank">Indoor bonsai Tree blog. She enjoys learning new things and meeting interesting new people both online and off.
Article Source

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How to Make A Bonsai Tree

Guest Blogger — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:26:15 +0000

Image by OpenEye via Flickr

People are usually fascinated when they see bonsai trees for the first time. Some think that the trees are special dwarf varieties and that is why the trees are so small. But bonsai trees are made from standard varieties of tree.

For those who would like to learn how to make a bonsai tree there are many questions. But take heart, with the right guidance it is possible to acquire all the skills and knowledge necessary to grow beautiful bonsai trees. The techniques needed are similar to those used in general horticulture.

Here are 6 methods to acquire a bonsai tree.

1. Buy a ready-made bonsai. Many stores sell what they describe as ‘bonsai trees’ but you should think twice before buying from a supermarket or garage. These are often not bonsai trees at all.

If you want a good specimen you should go to a specialist nursery. These bonsai trees can be expensive due to transport costs and the length of time taken to grow the tree but it will be well worth the investment.

2. Buy garden centre stock. There is a huge choice of deciduous and coniferous trees available at reasonable prices. There are a few things you should check before buying.

Make sure that the tree is healthy and that it has good potential for a bonsai – examine the surface roots, trunk and branches. For the impatient types it is possible to transform garden stock to the beginnings of a bonsai in a few hours!

3. Grow from cuttings. The advantage to this method is that the tree will look exactly like the parent plant. The right time to take cuttings will depend on the nature of the cutting (softwood, hardwood or root) and you should ensure that you carry out this work in the right season.

4. Grow from seed. This method requires patience – some seeds e.g. hawthorn can take 2 years to germinate! And after germination it will take a long time before the tree is ready to be styled as a bonsai.

5. Collect from the wild. Trees collected from the wild are called yamadori. You will need the permission of the landowner before you take this approach but remember that in some areas it is forbidden to collect trees. Once collected, trees will need to be left for some time before starting as bonsai.

6. Air layering. This is a more advanced technique and requires some skill so may not be ideal for those starting out in bonsai. Air layering is a relatively quick method of growing a bonsai tree as you can use a mature branch as a basis for the new tree.

Some of the bark is cut away and covered in sphagnum moss to encourage the growth of roots. Once these are established the branch is cut away and then forms the trunk of a new bonsai tree.

So these are 6 methods to make a bonsai tree. Decide which one you want to use and then have a go!

Ruth Morgan is the author of Beautiful bonsai Secrets – a step by step guide to growing and developing beautiful bonsai trees. To claim your free preview of Beautiful bonsai Secrets go to www.beautifulbonsaisecrets.com today.
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To Begin Growing Bonsai Trees, Select the Appropriate Pot Size

Bonsai Dreams — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:54:51 +0000

When it comes to selecting a bonsai pot, it’s a matter of choosing a style and setting your future expectations straight. I assume you already grasp that to properly grow beautiful bonsai trees you’ve got to set aside some effort in choosing not just the plant you prefer, but additionally the correct pot it will grow into.

The connection between the plant and its pot is a durable one, that sometimes gets described as an image, the tree, framed by the pot. And this can only be a match you make when you initially plant the bonsai, with no second thoughts. A pot is forever, like diamonds and marriages. Well, like diamonds for sure.

If you would like to cut the plant into a explicit form, opt for a pot of the suitable size. Don’t even try moving your bonsai to a completely different pot as you modify your furnitures. There’s a significant risk of harming your tree and this is not the proper way to think about Bonsai Tree Growing.

Recall how a real size plant grows: ever noticed how its roots travel underground and through concrete slabs and even marble? The identical process applies for a miniature bonsai tree, even if it can not have the strength necessary to break a pot.

Thus reserve some time to have a look around and shop on-line, looking for the pot that matches your budget and is in harmony with your plant, then stick to it. Despite the fact that plastic pots are sturdy and will shield your tree a lot more than a ceramic one, I might avoid them. I feel there is one factor wrong concerning plastic pots, the same way fake flowers do decorate but don’t warm the heart. To me they simply don’t fit.

I am not talking about a physical match, obviously, more a psychological one. Bonsais represent nature, life and also the passionate act of caring for life. Plastic has no such qualities, it’s a rational man made material. To me it is not the kind of material your bonsai’s roots would expect to be protected by.

Now, a lot of people growing bonsai trees do not live in a country where Japanese Maple bonsai Trees feel easily at home. Be sure to assess the climate and do not be shocked if you discover yellow leaves even once watering and fertilizing the plants as you were instructed to do by a manual or the gardener.

The amount of water and minerals required varies with sunlight, moisture and be cautious if you love air conditioners! Your sub-zero confort zone can be deadly for your precious bonsai.

You can select some ready made solutions that would make this task easier, particularly the humidity trays that guarantee the smaller roots a correct growth and sub-sized spray cans that may supply some moisture to the leaves, several times a day, and not harm them with too large water drops. Water ought to never be taken and used, let it rest for an hour at house temperature before spraying.

If you went for a pot built out of a noble material such as wood, water twice. The first for the tree, and the second for the wood pot that’s sure to take possession of its share of that water. The same is true for some pots made of ceramic. Namely, those built with an external polished surface and a rough internal one.

However dispersed water in those pots would be not as significant as wood made pots so don’t over water your bonsai tree. Pots made out of concrete are best suited to urban decoration, however there are some pretty nice concrete pots, which may appeal the creative bonsai gardener with a passion for contrast and minimalism. Again, if you do choose one of them, don’t be concerned by water loss as it would be so small it can not hurt your tree.

Henry Culver is a passionate writer and internet marketer, with interests spanning from gardening to technology to video games. He’s fond of World of Warcraft, the online multiplayer fantasy game. He likes playing in the Arena the most, and Arena Point Calculator is his mandatory first stop every time he needs to compute arena ratings, and plan the arena season matches for his team. The free WoW articles and gold guides found there helped him in more than one arena match.

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Indoor Bansai Care

Bonsai Dreams — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:47:22 +0000

Image by miki via Flickr

Properly caring for your indoor bonsai tree is essential. But by following just a few simple growing instructions, you can grow really beautiful bonsai trees.

Before beginning, make sure the tree you choose is one that will do well indoors. Some trees just need too much light to grow well indoors.

Once you are sure that your bonsai plant can be grown indoors, you are all set. By following these few basic tip, you should have no problem growing healthy indoor bonsai trees.

The First thing you should keep in mind when growing the indoor bonsai Tree is choosing the right growing environment. Your bonsai Tree should be kept in a room that is just the right temperature, not too hot and not too cold. In addition, the room should have a source of natural light. You will want to keep your indoor bonsai Tree in a room with plenty of large windows to allow your tree to receive as much indirect sunlight as possible.

Another important factor to growing the indoor bonsai Tree is using the correct soil. Not only do you want the highest quality soil available, but also you may need to use different types of soil for the various bonsai Trees. The best way to determine which soil is right for the type of indoor bonsai Tree that you intend to grow is to visit a gardening store and ask them. Make sure that you inform them exactly which type of bonsai Tree you need the soil for.

Not applying fertilizer correctly can be devastating to your indoor bonsai Tree. This is a common mistake for beginners. The indoor bonsai Tree needs to be given a water-soluble fertilizer at various times. It is also important that the fertilizer be applied only when the soil is wet. In addition, it is recommended that you use the highest quality fertilizer available.

Watering your indoor bonsai Tree correctly is easily one of the most important elements of growing the tree successfully. If you donít water enough the tree becomes dehydrated and soon dies; watering too much drowns the tree with a similar result. A good rule to follow when watering your indoor bonsai Tree is to wait until the soil begins to dry out but is not completely dry. At this point you want to add enough water that it saturates the soil and seeps out the bottom. Donít water again until the soil begins to dry out.

Pruning the indoor bonsai Tree is also important to successfully growing these trees. There are two different steps to pruning the bonsai Tree. In the spring the branches of the trees should be trimmed, leaving only those branches you wish to keep. Root pruning should be done when the roots have bound up in the pot.

Once you have learned the basics of caring for the indoor bonsai Tree, you will find these to be wonderful plants for your home.Your indoor bonsai tree requires proper care to survive and flourish. But by following a few simple growing procedures, you can grow beautiful bonsai trees. Just keep these few basic tips in mind, and you should have no problem growing healthy bonsai trees indoors.

Growing Environment

The first thing to keep in mind when growing the indoor bonsai tree is choosing the right growing environment. Your bonsai tree should be kept in a room that has plenty of light and just the right temperature, not too hot and not too cold.

The room must have a good source of natural light. You will want to keep your indoor bonsai tree large windows to allow your tree to receive as much indirect sunlight as possible.

The farther north you live, the more likely you will need those windows to face south to get enough light in the winter (or the opposite, in the Southern Hemisphere).

Rich Soil

The best way to determine which soil is right for the type of indoor bonsai Tree that you intend to grow is to visit a gardening store and ask them. Make sure that you inform them exactly which type of bonsai Tree you need the soil for.

Fertilizer

Not applying fertilizer correctly can be devastating to your indoor bonsai tree. This is a common mistake for beginners.

An indoor bonsai tree needs to be given a water-soluble fertilizer at various times. It is also important that the fertilizer be applied only when the soil is wet.

In addition, it is recommended that you use the highest quality fertilizer available, but use it sparingly. Too much fertilizer is much worse than not enough.

Watering

Watering your indoor bonsai tree correctly is easily one of the most important elements of growing the tree successfully. If you do not water enough, the tree becomes dehydrated and soon dies. Watering too much drowns the tree, with a similar result.

A good rule to follow when watering your indoor bonsai tree is to wait until the soil begins to dry out but is not completely dry. Then add just enough water to saturate the soil and seep out the bottom.

Do not water again until the soil begins to dry out.

Pruning

Pruning the indoor bonsai tree is also important to successfully growing these trees. There are two different steps to pruning the bonsai Tree.

In the spring the branches of the trees should be trimmed, leaving only those branches you wish to keep. Root pruning should be done when the roots have bound up in the pot.

Once you have learned the basics of caring for them, you will find bonsai trees to be wonderful plants for your home.

12 Bonsai Basic Styles

Bonsai Dreams — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:48:26 +0000

Image via Wikipedia Zelkova serrata, favored for Broom style.

Bonsai, as a Japanese art form, is more regulated than itís Chinese counterpart, the penjing. bonsai attempts to achieve the ideal tree, while penjing attempts to reproduce nature. This is why perfect styling exists in bonsai if you obey the ërulesí, while penjing leave you free to your creation. As a result these are the basic styles :

Broom (Hokidachi or Hoki-zukuri)

A very harmonious style, this form has branches that develop at a certain height, forming an upside broom. This styling is mainly achieved through a technique called the ìVî cut. The trunk is chopped where you want the branch to start to develop and then a deep V cut is performed on the remaining trunk. This will induce buds to break near the cut. Zelkova serrata are notorious for this styling but maple and other deciduous species can easily be styled that way.

Formal Upright (Chokkan)

A tree styled the ìchokkanî way has a straight trunk tapering graciously from bottom to top. The first and biggest branch is often situated at 1/3 of the desired height of the tree and is on the right or the left. The following branch is situated on the opposite side, while the third is in the back creating the perception depth. As we look at the branch structure from bottom to top, the branches are getting thinner, creating a pyramidal shape.

Informal Upright (Moyogi)

This style is very similar to the previously mentionned style as the same rules of design apply, however, the trunk is not straight but rather forms a sinuous shape while remaining tapered. This style is commonly used with conifers.

Slanting (Shakan)

Once again, this style is the same as the formal upright except that the trunk is leaning on one side. Branches are grown uniformly on the trunk like the formal/informal upright styles but the apex is tilted to the opposite side of the trunk giving a visual balanced effect.

Cascade (Kengai)

This styling requires an inclined trunk that is preferably at a 45 degree angle. The major portion of the foliage is below the pot line and sometimes goes beyond the pot itself. It often represents a tree growing on the side of cliff. A deep pot is used for this style.

Semi-cascade (Han-Kengai)

Similar to the Kengai style, this style also has an inclinated trunk. However, the foliage remains at the height of the pot line. In nature, we can see this style near a waterway, the foliage having grown on the side and leaning towards the water. While the cascade style uses a deeper pot, this style uses a medium depth pot.

Windswept (Fukinagashi)

A ìwindsweptî tree represents a tree that has been growing in a certain shape due to natural elements . Often caused by strong wind, the trunk is always inclinated in a certain direction and all branches have grown on the same side.

Literati (Bunjin)

This styling is often represented in Japanese paintings. It is a tree with a tall and sinuous trunk. The foliage only grows near the summit of the tree. This styling is somewhat an exception to the rigorous rules of bonsai because it does not have specific rules. It represents what the bunjin movement is in Japan: the search for liberty.

Group/Forest (Yose-ue)

This styling often represents a forest or a small cluster of trees. It is supposed to be styled in a way that will clearly represent the growing habits of trees in a group. Many techinques can be used to achieve this styling and many perception techniques are used to create the illusion of a forest, or as Naka would say, ìhaving the quality of the invisible beauty of natureî. To respect the Japanese art form, an odd number of trees is prefered for this styling.

Raft (Ikadabuki)

The same rules of the group planting apply to this style. However, all of the trunks emerge from one common trunk. This technique is often achieved with a branch placed verticaly in the soil. The roots form this branch and the upper part of the vertical branch develop secondary branches that will eventually become the trunks.

Multi-trunk Style (Sokan – Sankan)

This multi-trunk style has different possibilities. The first, which is called ìSokanî, consists of two trunks emerging from the same visible roots (nebari). The styling of the upper part of the tree must respect the same rules as the formal / informal upright styles previously described. Another variance consists of the same but with three trunks emerging from the visible roots. This is called ìSankanî. You can also have more than three trunks but to respect Japanese bonsai, it is prefered to have an odd number of trunks.

Roots Over Rock (Ishitsuki)

This styling has the specific charactreristics of having many visible roots growing over a rock and finding their way to the pot/soil.

Patrick from

http://www.mishobonsai.com

Bonsai, as a Japanese art form, is more regulated than itís Chinese counterpart, the penjing. Bonsai attempts to achieve the ideal tree, while penjing attempts to reproduce nature.

This is why perfect styling exists in bonsai if you obey the rules, while penjing leaves you free to your creation.

As a result these are the basic styles :

Broom (Hokidachi or Hoki-zukuri)

A very harmonious style, this form has branches that develop at a certain height, forming an upside broom. This styling is mainly achieved through a technique called the ìVî cut.

The trunk is chopped where you want the branch to start to develop and then a deep V cut is performed on the remaining trunk. This will induce buds to break near the cut. Zelkova serrata are notorious for this styling but maple and other deciduous species can easily be styled that way.

Formal Upright (Chokkan)

The following branch is situated on the opposite side, while the third is in the back creating the perception depth. As we look at the branch structure from bottom to top, the branches are getting thinner, creating a pyramidal shape.

Informal Upright (Moyogi)

This style is very similar to the previously mentionned style as the same rules of design apply. However, the trunk is not straight but rather forms a sinuous shape while remaining tapered. This style is commonly used with conifers.

Slanting (Shakan)

Cascade (Kengai)

Semicascade (Han-Kengai)

Like the kengai style, this style also has an inclinated trunk. However, the foliage remains at the height of the pot line.

In nature, we can see this style near a waterway, the foliage having grown on the side and leaning towards the water. While the cascade style uses a deeper pot, this style uses a medium depth pot.

Windswept (Fukinagashi)

A windswept tree represents a tree that has been growing in a certain shape due to natural elements. Often caused by strong wind, the trunk is always inclinated in a certain direction and all branches have grown on the same side.

Literati (Bunjin)

This styling is often represented in Japanese paintings. It is a tree with a tall and sinuous trunk. The foliage only grows near the summit of the tree.

This styling is somewhat an exception to the rigorous rules of bonsai because it does not have specific rules. It represents what the bunjin movement is in Japan: the search for liberty.

Group/Forest (Yose-ue)

This styling often represents a forest or a small cluster of trees. It is supposed to be styled in a way that will clearly represent the growing habits of trees in a group.

Many techinques can be used to achieve this styling, and many perception techniques are used to create the illusion of a forest, or as Naka would say, “having the quality of the invisible beauty of nature.”

To respect the Japanese art form, an odd number of trees is prefered for this styling.

Raft (Ikadabuki)

The same rules of the group planting apply to this style. However, all of the trunks emerge from one common trunk. This technique is often achieved with a branch placed verticaly in the soil.

The roots from this branch and the upper part of the vertical branch develop secondary branches that will eventually become the trunks.

Multitrunk Style (Sokan – Sankan)

This multi-trunk style has different possibilities.The first, which is called sokan, consists of two trunks emerging from the same visible roots (nebari). The styling of the upper part of the tree must respect the same rules as the formal/informal upright styles previously described.

Another variance consists of the same but with three trunks emerging from the visible roots. This is called sankan. You can also have more than three trunks, but to respect Japanese bonsai, it is prefered to have an odd number of trunks.

Roots Over Rock (Ishitsuki)

This styling has the specific charactreristics of having many visible roots growing over a rock and finding their way to the pot/soil.

Shohin bonsai – Big Deal About Small Trees (matsubonsai.com)

Bonsai Dreams » Plant Choices

The First Steps to Indoor Bonsai Tree Success

Indoor bonsai Tree Location

Indoor bonsai Species

Related articles by Zemanta

How to Make A Bonsai Tree

To Begin Growing Bonsai Trees, Select the Appropriate Pot Size

Indoor Bansai Care

Growing Environment

Rich Soil

Fertilizer

Watering

Pruning

12 Bonsai Basic Styles

Broom (Hokidachi or Hoki-zukuri)

Formal Upright (Chokkan)

Informal Upright (Moyogi)

Slanting (Shakan)

Cascade (Kengai)

Semicascade (Han-Kengai)

Windswept (Fukinagashi)

Literati (Bunjin)

Group/Forest (Yose-ue)

Raft (Ikadabuki)

Multitrunk Style (Sokan – Sankan)

Roots Over Rock (Ishitsuki)

Patrick from http://www.mishobonsai.com

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