Bonsai Tree
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Acquiring & Caring For Bonsai
   
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Acquiring & Caring For Bonsai
Most bonsai trees sold at garden centers and nurseries are of
excellent quality, but there are a few points to bear in mind
when buying a new plant. #61623; Age and shape of the tree
#61623; General health #61623; Soil should be damp but not
soggy, unless it has just been watered #61623; Leaves should
look bright and healthy, not burnt around the edges or spotty
#61623; If buying a deciduous tree in winter, last year's
growth should be smooth and plump, with no sign of bark
wrinkling #61623; The tree should be steady in its container,
which should have at least one drainage hole #61623; A white
fungus in and around the drainage hole is natural and harmless
General Care
Purchasing A Tree
When buying a tree from a store during the summer, be sure to
give it at least 2 weeks outside, avoiding heavy rain and high
winds before displaying it indoors. If purchasing in winter,
however, do not allow it to be exposed to frost for the rest of
the season, as it will probably have begun to shoot. This is
most important with deciduous trees, and while varieties of
junipers are very hardy it is as well not to take any chances.
Most bonsai are hardy trees and shrubs whose natural habitat is
out in the open. They are not permanent houseplants; and even
semi-tropical trees should be placed outside when weather
permits. During the summer the plant must be able to carry out
the process of photosynthesis, and during winter it is resting
and building up its strength for the coming spring. Too long in
a warm room will persuade it that spring has arrived early and
it will start budding. If this happens more than once, the tree
will simply die of exhaustion.
Sunlight
Sunlight, especially the ultra-violet ray, affects the growth of
trees. Therefore, except in special cases such as immediately
after repotting, extensive trimming, etc, bonsai should be
placed in a sunny location. Bright light will also work well but
the tree should not be placed more than 12" away from the direct
light source. An east, west or southern exposure works best. A
northern exposure will require the use of "grow lights" which
should remain on up to 16 hours each day and the lamp should not
be more than 2 inches from the top of the tree. Incandescent
light is too hot and will not provide the various spectrum of
light that is required to maintain your bonsai tree. If you do
not have a window or light source that provides an east, west or
southern exposure, be sure to select a bonsai tree that does
well in lower lighting conditions.
Watering
Unlike a houseplant, bonsai trees use a "free draining" type of
soil because their roots cannot tolerate "wet feet". In
addition, they are grown in significantly less soil and,
therefore require more watering. Factors such as tree location,
temperature, lighting conditions, quantity of soil used, and the
changing seasons will determine the frequency of watering. You
can get to know when your tree needs to be watered by observing
the foliage, testing the soil with your index finger just below
the surface, or just by the weight of the pot. (The drier the
tree, the lighter it will feel.) To take the guesswork out of
watering, an inexpensive moisture meter which works very much
like a thermometer comes in handy. Insert it into the soil and
the movement of the needle will tell you if it is time to water.
Rainwater is best for watering plants, but tap water that has
stood for a few hours is adequate. In summer, trees should be
watered in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the
midday heat. This will prevent the leaves of the finer bonsai
from burning. In winter, water early to permit any excess to
drain before the night frost. Plunging the pot into a bowl to
soak is ideal for recently potted trees, small collections and
for trees that have dried out. Be sure to drain properly,
however!
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Misting
All trees grow in more humid conditions than our homes, offices
and dormitories. So what can we do to provide this essential
humidity ? Misting the tree is only beneficial for a short time,
so what we recommend is to place the tree on a humidity tray and
add water to the tray. As the water in the tray evaporates it
creates a humid environment around the tree 24 hours a day. When
the water in the tray is gone, add more water. It's a good idea
to separate the pot from the water in the tray by adding some
pebbles to the bottom of the tray. This will prevent any roots
from sitting in the water.
Fertilizing
Because bonsai trees are cultivated in limited amounts of soil,
adequate feed is very important. As a general rule, a small
amount of feed is given in the spring and a larger amount in the
fall. Feed for bonsai should contain three principle
ingredients; nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. It is also a
good idea to use a fertilizer containing "chelated" iron. Water
before fertilizing your tree and then apply at half the strength
recommended by the brand's manufacturer. Rotate the use of
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trace elements and minerals. You could also add Superthrive,
which is a vitamin supplement to the fertilizer mix. You may
find it simpler and easier to use slow release fertilizer
granules (placed over the soil) whose nutrients are released
with each watering.
Repotting
All potted plants will eventually outgrow their containers.
While houseplants need to be "potted-up", that is, placed in
larger and larger containers, the miniaturization of a bonsai
trees is maintained by keeping the roots confined to the small
container. On average, repotting will be necessary every 3-5
years, but the tree should be removed from its container and its
root system inspected once a year. If the roots form a circular
ball around the perimeter of the pot, it is time to trim the
roots and repot.
When repotting remember to: #61623; Use only bonsai soil
#61623; Remove air pockets by working the soil down through the
roots #61623; Do not remove more that 20% of the root system
#61623; Repot during the appropriate repotting season #61623;
Water well and keep out of the sun for a week or two
Trimming & Pruning
The main objective of trimming and pruning is to shape the
bonsai into the desired form and to reduce growth above ground
in order to maintain a balance with root growth.
The process of shaping begins when the tree is very young and is
on-going as it continues its growth. Trimming is accomplished by
using a sharp scissors or shears. This traditional tool is
called butterfly shears or bonsai shears and is used for
removing foliage and light branches. When heavier branches are
removed, we call it pruning and the tool to use is the concave
cutter, for which there is no substitute. The concave cutter
allows you to remove small, medium and even large branches
without leaving any visible scars. Some trees such as the
Juniper should be trimmed by using the thumb and index finger to
remove new growth and to prevent browning and a "sheared"
appearance.
Pests & Diseases
As living trees, bonsai are susceptible to insect attacks and
disease. Preventive and corrective measures include: #61623;
Keeping your bonsai in good health, since insects and bacteria
tend to attack weak trees #61623; Giving your tree ample light,
fresh air and ventilation #61623; Keeping the soil free of
spent blooms and fallen leaves etc. You may also use an
insecticidal soap spray which is not harmful to humans or
animals. This soap derivative, however, may require more than
one application to control the insect population. It's also a
good idea to use this spray weekly to prevent any attacks.
For additional articles, please go to:
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http://www.growitgold.com/resources/bonsaiplants.shtml
Bonsai Books:
http://www.growitgold.com/resources/bonsaibooks.shtml
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About the author:
A national and internation freelance writer since 1985, Sara has
myriad articles and special editions to her name. Main interests
include science & technology, and organic gardening.