Tools and Supplies « Bonsai Dreams

Make Your Own Bonsai Soil

Bonsai soil is really important in growing bonsai. If you don’t have the suitable kind of soil, your tree will at the best grow slowly. So what is the right kind of soil? Ask 10 bonsaists, and you’ll likely get 10 different answers. Soil mixes will be variable, based on the type of tree. It is for and the climate you are growing in but there are a few basic guidelines in making bonsai soil.

Bonsai soil must be free draining. It must not take a lot of water. You really like to see the water pour strait through the pot, not collect on the surface, sit there awhile and then slowly sink in. Water should start coming out of the bottom of the pot right after you start pouring it into the pot.

Why is draining so crucial? A slow draining soil holds moisture. Moisture leads to soil breakdown, icky stuff growing in the soil, and eventually to rotting roots and dead trees.

Next to free drainage properties, the particle form and size is the next most important aspect. Larger particle size helps with the drainage and aeration (getting air – oxygen – to the roots). Also, smaller particles tend to sink down to the bottom of the pot and clog up the drainage holes. This is why most sources propose sifting out the smaller particles from your soil.

So what kind of stuff is large, sharp and free draining? And where can you get it to make a soil mix out of it? Some good ingredients are small size gravel, or large size sand, Baked clay products like terra-green or turface, chicken grit, turkey grit etc, decomposed granite, lava rock or pumice. Continue reading Make Your Own bonsai Soil

3 Steps to Shaping Bonsai Trees

There are 3 steps to shaping a bonsai tree. How to make a bonsai tree is easy. Before shaping a bonsai tree, decide what the best attitude is for the tree. Match the potential of a tree to the style that fits it best.

Nursery plants are often overgrown and need much pruning. You can control bonsai growth and form by pruning and removing excess foilage and ugly limbs. Remove all crossed brances until the tree takes on the form you selected.

1) Bonsai Tree Pruning

Bonsai nursery plants are often overgrown and need much pruning. You need to make all cuts above a bud, a side branch or main fork of the tree.

Leave stubs flush with the stem.

Avoid cutting back too far – you may weaken the main branches. Continue reading 3 Steps to Shaping bonsai Trees

Bonsai Tools and Supplies You Need

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Growing bonsai is a rewarding hobby that is accessible to all. You hardly need any room at all and youíve probably got most of the tools already lying around the house and garden. The only ëspecialistí equipment you may need to go and by will be a pair of chopsticks (yes, you read that right), a bonsai pot and of course the tree or plant that you intend to turn into your bonsai masterpiece.

You will need a small pair of sharp scissors as well as a larger pair. You will need wire to shape your branches and fine wire cutters. A small set of garden shears and a large set of garden shears just about completes the set however as you throw yourself more and more into bonsai (once youíve got the bug there will be no stopping you) you will probably want to consider purchasing slightly more specialist bonsai tools including miniature bonsai rakes and root combs. Donít panic though, the price tag size matches the tool size and most are very affordable.

Where can I get bonsai supplies?

Bonsai is becoming increasingly popular around the world and no matter where you live there is a good chance that you arenít too far away from a bonsai shop. Many garden centres and nurseries now also stock the tools you need and if youíre still struggling or if you like to shop from the comfort of your own home the Internet is literally awash with suppliers of everything you could need from compost to rakes with everything in between.

My best word of advice here is to find out exactly what you want and then shop around. Visit your local stores and have a look on the Internet. Always try to build up a relationship with whomever you are buying from in case you ever need that vital piece of advice that can mean the difference between a small, brown conifer and a beautiful bonsai masterpiece.

As well as the essential tools and specific bonsai equipment and compost you can buy decorative figurines, ornate pots and just about any other addition you could possibly imagine. The Internet provides you with the worldís largest marketplace for any items you may want so you arenít at all restricted to the items you can buy at your local plant store so whether your needs are for manufactured, good quality and affordable equipment to hand thrown pots you will have no problem finding what you are looking for.

Growing bonsai is a rewarding hobby that is accessible to all. You hardly need any room at all and you have probably got most of the tools already lying around the house and garden.

The only specialist equipment you may need to go and buy will be a pair of chopsticks (yes, really!), a bonsai pot and of course the tree or plant that you intend to turn into your bonsai masterpiece.

Other Tools You Will Need

However, as you throw yourself more and more into bonsai (once you have got the bug, there will be no stopping you) you will probably want to consider purchasing slightly more specialist bonsai tools, including miniature bonsai rakes and root combs.

Do not panic, though. The price tag size matches the tool size. Most are very affordable. Continue reading bonsai Tools and Supplies You Will Need

Bonsai Dreams