PRESENTATION
Growing and caring for a bonsai tree is a hobby that some find very relaxing and therapeutic. It is also a hobby, but it requires a lot of patience and time. This is especially true if you are growing the tree from seed. The bonsai hobby will reward you with beautiful masterpieces that you can be truly proud of and consider your legacy.
The word bonsai literally means a plant in a pot or on a tray. Although the word sounds quite simple, the art of bonsai is much more than just a plant in a container. The goal of a bonsai grower is to create the appearance of an old and large tree in a miniature version. This is achieved by growing a plant with strong roots and a system of branches that extend in all directions of the container, creating the illusion of nature working on the trees. Such qualities, along with perfect symmetry, balance and proportion, are the characteristics of a perfect bonsai tree.
Bonsai will take you on a journey that will broaden your horizons in countless ways. You will begin to appreciate nature and begin to look at trees, shrubs, and bushes in a completely different way. You will find yourself in places in the garden center where no one bothers to look. In the stores, you will appreciate the strange-looking damaged plants that no one else hesitates to look at. How this hobby will affect you will be unpredictable, just like nature itself, but rest assured that you will enjoy and learn from this journey.
This book will introduce you to bonsai techniques and explain how to grow your own bonsai masterpieces from seed. The beauty of bonsai is that there is no "right way" to do anything. This book will guide you through most of the key stages in growing bonsai. Let's get started!
HISTORY
When you think of a bonsai tree, you automatically associate it with Japan. Although bonsai is mostly associated with Japan, it actually originated in China , from where it spread east to Japan and Korea. Bonsai was initially created by Buddhist monks who wanted to bring nature and its beauty into temples. Ancient paintings and writings show that the Chinese were growing ornamental trees around 600 AD, but many scholars and historians believe that bonsai trees were grown in China as early as 500 or 1000 BC. Bonsai first appeared in Japan around the 12th century.
The Chinese have always been fascinated by flowers and plants, and their country is blessed with a diverse flora, so it is no surprise that the art of plant cultivation began in China. The Chinese have always been fascinated by miniature objects, from gardens to landscapes. The Chinese also believed that miniature objects contained concentrated mythical or magical power.
The word bonsai literally means " tree on a tray ", and as we know today, bonsai trees are also very famous for their elegant pots in which they grow. The development of Chinese and Korean ceramics therefore contributed significantly to the popularization of bonsai. Even today we notice that the most prized pots for displaying bonsai are ancient Chinese ceramic pots.
The bonsai trees grown in China and Japan are very different, and the art itself has developed along different paths throughout history. Bonsai in China is still a very old tradition, and the trees are presented in a non-literary way. On the other hand, bonsai trees in Japan are more visually pleasing and natural. It could be said that bonsai trees in Japan are more refined and well-groomed than those from China. Both types of bonsai trees have their own community of fans, and the trees themselves have their own charm.
Most of the bonsai trees seen in Europe and the United States after World War II are of Japanese origin. But now we see that the monopoly that Japan had until now in the field of bonsai has begun to be shared by different countries. However, the value of Japanese bonsai is still higher than others.
The bonsai community is very grateful to Japanese and Chinese artists for developing such a wonderful art form and keeping it alive for almost 2,500 years. Without the dedication and creativity of bonsai artists, we would not be able to enjoy bonsai trees as we know them today.
BONSAI TREES STYLES
As a beginner, you should be aware that there is no "right style" of bonsai and no single tree can be labeled as right. You must remember that bonsai trees are a representation of nature. Creating a bonsai masterpiece is about creating something based on your vision and creativity. This manual is a collection of instructions for making a bonsai tree. What you will do with this instructional guide is simply up to you.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you should try to make your bonsai tree look as natural as possible. Let the tree teach you what it knows and is capable of. If the tree wants to lean to the left, let it lean that way, and you work with it and listen to what it has to say. Only in this way will you become a bonsai master and create beautiful bonsai trees that you can be proud of.
The older the bonsai tree, the more beautiful its appearance will be. You should strive to project the appearance of age and maturity in its mature form. Even if the tree is relatively young, you can style it to look as if it is a decade old. This is the essence of bonsai art.
There are two general styles of bonsai: classical (koten) and informal or "comic" (bunjin). In the former, the trunk of the tree is wider at the base and narrows towards the top, but in "bunjin" the opposite is true. This is a style that is more difficult to understand.
It is always important to remember that you will be working with a living plant. After spending some time studying the tree, it will be easy to find the appropriate style or styles for that tree. It is often easy to train a plant into multiple styles, even if it is upright like a beech or gracefully slender like a maple. As a bonsai grower, you can easily interpret the tree in many different ways. As mentioned above, you need to work with the plant to achieve its best image, so it is recommended that you do not force the plant into a style that it is not used to. You need to work with the gift that Mother Nature gives you and master it.
We know five main styles of bonsai trees, namely:
🌿 formal upright
🌿 informal upright
🌿 slanting (or windy)
🌿 semi-cascade
🌿 cascading
Each of these styles has its own brightness.
🌿 Formal upright bonsai
The formal upright bonsai known as "Chokkan" is a very common style of bonsai tree. It is a style that occurs in nature, especially when the trees are exposed to a lot of light and grow in ideal conditions without competition. To achieve this style, the tapering of the trunk that grows upright must be clearly visible. The trunks are therefore usually much thicker at the base and gradually taper as they reach the top. Branching should usually begin at 1/4 of the total length of the trunk. One branch should follow the top of the tree, the trunk should not reach the full height of the tree.
🌿 Informal upright bonsai
Informal upright bonsai known as "Moyogi" are common in nature and in the art of bonsai. The trees are usually shaped in an "S" shape, with branches emerging at each corner. Again, the taper of the trunk should be clearly visible, and the base of the tree should be thicker than the upper part of the tree.
🌿 Inclined (or windy)
Leaning bonsai or "Shakan" is a bonsai that is formed by winds blowing in one dominant direction during the growth of the tree. This style can also occur when the tree is tilted towards the light emitted by the sun. In bonsai, a leaning style must grow at an angle of 60 to 80 degrees to the ground to be classified as a leaning bonsai style. Another characteristic of this style of tree is that the roots are well developed on one side to support the tree. On the side the tree leans against, the roots should not be clearly visible, nor should they be as developed as on the opposite side. The first branch usually grows in the opposite direction of the tree to create an image of visual balance. The trunk of the tree can be slightly curved or completely straight, but it must always be thicker at the bottom than at the top.
🌿 Semi-cascade bonsai
Semi-cascading bonsai known as "Han-kengai" occurs naturally on cliffs and river and lake banks. A characteristic of this style is that the trunk grows straight up for a short time, then curves down or to the side. A semi-cascading trunk usually never grows below the bottom of the growing container. The crown of the tree is always above the container, while further branches usually appear just below the edge.
🌿 Cascade
Cascading bonsai known as "Kengai" usually occurs on rocks in nature due to many factors such as falling rocks and snow. These factors cause the tree to lean downward. In bonsai, this style is difficult to maintain because the nature of the tree is to grow upwards towards the sun. Cascading bonsai trees are grown in tall containers and can grow upright for a short time before bending down. The crown of the tree is usually above the edge of the container, and the branches alternate left and right on the outer bends of the trunk in an S-shape. The buds should be encouraged to grow horizontally to make the tree look more balanced.
HOW TO GROW BONSAI FROM SEED
Growing a bonsai tree from seed is a slow but rewarding process. Although you will have to wait several weeks or months for the seeds to germinate, growing a bonsai tree from seed can be the most rewarding process you will ever experience. Some seeds have a very hard shell, and it can take several seasons for this shell to break down and allow the seeds to germinate. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you will be rewarded with the most beautiful bonsai tree. Growing a bonsai tree from seed can take years , but it will be a tree you can be proud of and pass on for generations.
🌿 Seed type
The choice of the type of bonsai tree you want to grow is entirely yours. However, it should be noted that there are some basic guidelines that you should follow and know when choosing a bonsai tree.
First, it is most important to buy bonsai tree seeds from a reputable nursery or tree dealer. Nowadays, with the advent of online e-commerce, you can easily find a reputable seed shop. There are many trees that are used to make beautiful bonsai trees, but the most commonly grown are fir, maple, pine, birch, and cedar. Most of these three species are relatively easy to grow and cultivate.
Maple, black pine, black pine, beech and larch are among the easiest trees to grow from seed and make great bonsai trees for beginners. However, if you are a beginner, you should avoid species such as white pine, juniper and hornbeam as they are very difficult to grow.
When buying bonsai seeds, be sure to buy from certified sellers who sell certified disease-free seeds. Certified disease-free seeds are specially created and treated to be resistant to common diseases. This is very important for growing a bonsai tree. A diseased tree can become very weak and die in its first year.
When buying, be careful not to fall victim to so-called bonsai seeds. Bonsai seeds do not exist. Seeds that are usually labeled as bonsai are more expensive, but they are just as good as regular tree seeds.
🌿 Preparation
Not all tree seeds germinate immediately after being placed in the ground. Several types of tree seeds must be carefully prepared and stored before they are ready to germinate. Before purchasing seeds, you should always do your research to become familiar with the specific species and its needs.
A good example of this is tree seeds, such as maple. Before these seeds are ready to germinate, they must go through a process called stratification. The stratification process simply attempts to mimic the natural seasons. In nature, we see tree seeds fall from the parent plant in the fall months and spend several months in the soil over the winter. The seeds then typically lie on the soil during the warmer spring weather, which triggers their germination. To germinate bonsai seeds such as maple that require cold stratification , the seeds should be placed in a plastic bag filled with potting soil and kept moist in the refrigerator for several weeks, 6 to 8 weeks. After a few weeks in the refrigerator, remove the seeds and plant them in a container.
Some other trees that have hard bark require a process called scarification . These seeds usually germinate only under certain conditions, such as traveling through an animal's digestive system or being exposed to extreme weather conditions such as fire before they can germinate. At home, the scarification process can be done by gently peeling the seed coat until the inner shell is exposed. This allows the seed to easily pass through the opening and germinate.
🌿 Planting soil
Most tree species prefer to grow in well-drained organic commercial potting soil. You should never use garden soil to grow bonsai, as it is heavy and unsterilized for pots. This means your plant or seed will die. After filling the pot with soil, water it well and let it drain for 30 minutes.
🌿 Planting
The depth at which you should plant bonsai seeds depends on the type of tree you have chosen. As a general rule, seeds should be planted at a depth equal to the diameter of the seed itself. Light and very small seeds should be covered very lightly with a thin layer of soil.
🌿 Pre-germination care
Bonsai seeds need to be kept moist by watering regularly until they germinate, but be careful not to overwater the container. Touch the surface of the soil to check if the water level is sufficient. If your soil feels dry, spray it with a little water from a spray bottle. Also, protect the soil from drying out by keeping it out of direct sunlight. An ideal location would be on a windowsill where you can maintain enough moisture and light for your seeds to germinate.
🌿 Post-germination care
The time it takes for a seed to germinate varies from species to species. Many seeds germinate in just a few weeks , but some seeds may take several seasons.
You need to research how much time and care a bonsai seedling needs to germinate from seed before you choose it and turn it into a bonsai tree. Once your bonsai seedling has successfully emerged from seed and developed two true leaves - the leaves that sprout from the first two immature leaves - reduce watering whenever the top third of the soil in the container becomes dry.
When the tree outgrows the seedling container, choose a larger plant container. Use a pencil to dig a hole in the soil and carefully place the roots of the seedling in it. You should never pull a bonsai seedling by the stem, as it can easily break.
Once the bonsai seedling has been planted in a larger container, care for it as you would a full-grown bonsai tree. You should move the container with the plant to a location where it will receive plenty of sunlight and water it regularly.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE PLANT YOU ARE GROWING?
In general, there are five things to look for in a plant.
First, you need to check the roots and see if there is a visible strong base. The roots at the base of the tree should visually spread out radially. This makes the tree look stable and gives a sense of solidity. Good roots usually attract the eye to examine them from the ground up.
In many cases, a base that tapers and becomes thinner towards the top usually makes a great bonsai. If you plan to grow a bonsai in a formal upright style, you want a straight trunk with little curvature. If you want to grow different styles of bonsai, you need to study the style of trunk you have. Try to find a trunk that is curved in an unusual or unique way, as this will give your bonsai tree character.
You need to examine the plant and ask yourself, does the plant look like a tree? You need to look for branching patterns in the tree. Ideally, you should look for thick low branches and higher branches. The branches will later become the main structure of your bonsai tree. You should always imagine how they will fit in and balance the moment of the trunk.
At this point, the style is created from the tree. In the midst of all this, you must always be careful to make the best decision for the plant and check if it is healthy. You must take the plant out of the pot and check if there are white fibrous roots around the soil. This means that the plant is healthy. You should also check if the leaves are colorful and vibrant and if new plants want to appear.
The branches of the tree should look balanced, and then appear to be floating in space. But they should not be upside down or heavy. The branches should not be facing each other, and their lines should cross horizontally across the trunk. The branches usually give the bonsai the dimensions and basic shape of the tree.
A great bonsai tree should have a harmonious arrangement of branches without unsightly gaps. If you look at a bonsai tree, you can easily spot the flowers. The upper branches should not overshadow the lower branches.
Not all plants are suitable for bonsai. To make a realistic adult tree, all parts of the tree must be perfectly adapted to the size of the tree. The plant used for bonsai tree must have smaller leaves or the leaves must become smaller and bonsai culture. Trees with large leaves will look disproportionate to bonsai trees. Now let's learn how to plant it.
PLANTING BONSAI TREES
Since bonsai trees are grown in containers , you need to choose the right container to grow your bonsai tree in. Bonsai trees should always be placed off-center in the container. Asymmetry is not only key to the visual effects of the plant, but the center point symbolically represents where the sky meets the earth, so nothing should occupy that space.
Traditionally, there are three basic virtues in bonsai cultivation: truth, goodness, and beauty. These three virtues form a triangle that represents bonsai. Because plants need to be pruned at the roots before they can be transformed into bonsai trees, the initial containers in which the plants are grown are different from the traditional containers used later in the plant's development. The initial containers are called nursery pots.
Anything that can hold heavy roots will do, but it's a good idea to choose something similar to the pot you'll be putting the plant in when the roots are small and fibrous.
For cascading style bonsai trees, plants should be planted in deep pots, while tall plants should be grown in fairly shallow pots. Make sure the drainage holes in the pots are at least half a centimeter in diameter.
Cascading plants should be grown in deep containers , while tall specimens that will end up in shallow containers should be started in fairly shallow containers. Make sure the drainage holes in all training containers are at least half an inch in diameter.
You should plant the tree in the center of the pot when its branches extend over the sides of the pot. In rectangular or oval pots, upright trees should be planted off-center. The pot should not be too big and should fit the tree. Usually, the depth of the pot should be equal to the thickness of the plant's trunk, but this does not always have to be taken into account.
Remember that no pot is permanent. Your tree will need to be repotted throughout its life to keep it from losing its roots. We'll talk about this in the repotting section of the site. Now that you have your plant and have chosen a container, let's look at how to prune and shape a bonsai tree.
PRUNING AND BLAME
If you are starting a plant purchased from a garden center, a lot of pruning will be required. Remove only excess leaves and unwanted branches from the plant. You need to make sure that you have made all cuts above the trunk, side branches, all main forks of the tree. Remove all buds except those outside the trunk to encourage growth outward and upward. Make sure that the buds are flush with the stem. Do not prune the tree so severely that the main branches are weakened. Do not treat the bonsai tree as a hedge; the goal should be to make the plant look like a mature tree found in nature. As in nature, the branches should grow towards the open space and away from each other. If you prune too much, the plant will not be able to photosynthesize.
Severe pruning is usually done only once in the life of a bonsai tree. Once you have established the basic shape, shape it by pruning or pinching. This will allow you to control new growth. Pruning allows the bonsai to develop lush foliage. Tiny shoots at the base of the trunk should be pinched out before they become large enough to damage the tree.
We also trim the roots of the bonsai. Try to keep all the fibrous roots and if possible maintain a balance of one root per branch. During this process, remove any roots that were damaged during digging and make sure that the surface roots remain intact. Trim them with a sharp tool and cut at an angle so as not to damage them.
Pruning is a crucial step that must be taken to maintain the shape of a bonsai tree and encourage new growth. Some plants respond very well to pruning, while others may react negatively to it as they struggle to recover, especially if pruned at the wrong time of year. It is recommended that you research your tree species and choose the best time to prune old and new growth. Typically, new growth is pruned during the growing season, such as spring , to maintain the shape of the bonsai, while older hardwoods are pruned in mid-fall.
One of the main forms of bonsai pruning, especially for evergreen bonsai such as spruce and cedar, is called "finger pruning" where new growth is cut off that does not fit the overall shape of the bonsai tree or is at the top of the bonsai tree. . This will help shape the leaves and make them look more like a natural tree. Finger pruning is done by taking a growth between your thumb and forefinger while holding the branch with your other hand and removing it with a twisting motion. Finger pruning is much better than pruning with scissors because it leaves an unnatural look to the leaves.
For more complex trees such as maples and Chinese elms , shears are the best pruning tool. When cutting outside or overgrown plants on a tree, be sure to prune just behind the next set of leaves, but do not cut the leaves themselves. Foliar pruning is commonly done on these deciduous and tropical plants such as maples to reduce leaf size and remove unsightly foliage, and to speed up growth by causing two growing seasons in one.
A week after pruning, make sure the plant is in a comfortable position and climate, and that it has enough water.
For the next few weeks, make sure the plant is in a hospital-like position and climate, and that you provide it with sufficient water. Remember, the goal is to make the tree look as it would in the wild, so follow the principles of bonsai.
Pruning and trimming are key steps in bonsai to maintain their miniature size. Therefore, systematically remove excess growth in the spring. You should also consider the health of the tree. Whenever and whatever you do to your bonsai, you should always first think about your actions and how they will affect the health of the plant. You should never remove all the growth at once. It should also be remembered that bonsai trees do not need to be pruned every day, as many people think. Pruning the tree two to three times a year is enough, and this should be done in early spring, late summer, or sometimes in late autumn or winter.
Now that you know how to prune a bonsai and when to do it, let's learn how to wire a bonsai tree.
TREE WIRING
Wiring is essential when growing a bonsai tree. Wiring is done by wrapping wires around the tree's branches to bend them into the desired position. The branches then grow into new shapes over a period of several months before the wire is removed.
🌿 When to wire?
With many types of trees, you can wire your tree for most of the year. Most deciduous bonsai are usually wired in late winter, as wiring is easy due to the absence of leaves. You need to make sure that you don't let branch growth overwhelm your tree during the growing season. Check your wiring regularly and reconnect it if necessary.
🌿 Need material?
It is important to use the right material for wiring your bonsai tree. Two types of wire you can use for a bonsai tree are anodized aluminum and burnished copper. Aluminum wire is usually used for hardwoods, while harder copper wire is used for conifers and pines. Beginners are advised to use anodized aluminum wire because it is easy to work with and is sold in most online stores.
It can be confusing for beginners because bonsai wires are sold in different sizes and thicknesses from 1 to 8 mm. Don't worry, you don't have to buy all those types of wires. For beginners, you can buy any wire with a thickness of 1 mm to 4 mm. We recommend that you first wrap the branches in water-soaked raffia (available at garden centers or online) as this will protect the branches from damage by the wire as you bend them.
🌿 How to wire a bonsai tree?
Wiring is a complex technique that a beginner must master. If possible, try to wire two branches that are close together with a single piece of wire, this is called double wiring. The remaining branches can then be wired separately, which is called single wiring . It is important to note that you must run wire through all the branches you intend to shape before actually bending them into place. When wiring a tree, make sure to wire the entire tree from the trunk to the primary branches before starting with the secondary branches. A good rule of thumb is "the wire is one-third the thickness of the branch" you are connecting, and the wire should be thick enough to hold the branch in its shape.
Let's take a look at how to double wire a bonsai tree:
Choose a pair of branches to wire. They should be the same thickness and placed close together. Try to wrap the wire around the trunk at least once or twice so that it doesn't move later when you bend the branches. Now you can cut the wire to the right length and wrap the two branches together.
You should start wrapping the trunk and continue with the first branch . Before you start wiring the second branch, try to run the wire from the bottom to the top. Run the wire at a 45-degree angle, as this will make the tree thicker while still maintaining its shape. When you plan to bend the branch down directly against the trunk, your wire should come from the bottom, and when you are bending the branch up, the wire should come from the top.
Once you have connected all the double branches, you can connect the remaining branches with a single wire.
🌿 Single wiring
This technique is very similar to the double wiring technique, cut the desired length of wire and start wrapping it around the trunk at least twice, use several wires on the same part of the trunk or branch and try to line them up nicely.
🌿 Bending wire branches
Once you have wired the entire tree, you can begin bending them into the desired positions. Gently grasp the outside of the branch with your fingers and bend it from the inside of the bend with your thumb. This will reduce the risk of the branch splitting by distributing the force around and outside the branches. Do not bend the tree repeatedly as this may damage the branch.
🌿 Aftercare
Place the wire tree in the shade and fertilize it normally. During the growing season, you should carefully observe the tree and remove any wires that may cause scarring. Do not attempt to rework the wires by unwrapping them from the tree as this can damage the bonsai, so cut the wire at each step to make it easier to remove.
WATERING AND FERTILIZATION
Watering seems like a simple technique, but it is the second most common cause of bonsai-related problems .
Underwatering or allowing the compost (soil) to dry out completely will kill or seriously injure your bonsai tree; however, overwatering can also be detrimental to your tree's health by causing root rot and disease.
As a bonsai grower, you must remember to regularly check your bonsai's water needs and water it only when necessary . Also, you should never water according to a set procedure. You must make sure that the surface of the compost begins to dry out between waterings. Only then can you water the plant thoroughly. The frequency of watering the plant is influenced by many factors; watering can last from 12 hours to 7 days, depending on the prevailing wind temperature and humidity. Due to the limited space in which the bonsai grows, caring for a bonsai tree can be quite difficult. Due to the shallow containers, the extent of the root system is limited, so watering the plant is self-explanatory.
While some tree species are relatively drought tolerant, others require constant moisture. Regular watering or overly wet soil can encourage fungal infections and root rot. Even sun, heat, and wind can quickly dry out the soil and a bonsai can suffer in a drought, so it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture daily and water it as needed. It is important to note that we should not allow the soil to dry out even for a short time.
Some trees are very good at hiding their weakness, trees like junipers don't show signs of drying out and weakness until the damage is complete. The leaves can look green and healthy, even though they have a completely dead root system.
When fertilizing a bonsai tree, you should use a water-soluble fertilizer once or twice a month during the growing season. The choice of fertilizer may vary from species to species. Fertilizer should be applied when the soil is moist and only before and during active growth. A houseplant fertilizer diluted 1/4 to 1/2 strength will also suffice.
Now that you know the basics of growing a bonsai tree, we will look at another important topic in bonsai growing, which is transplanting.
BONSAI TRANSPLANTATION
You need to repot your bonsai tree regularly to prevent the tree from becoming pot bound and eventually starving to death. It is important to emphasize that by repotting your bonsai tree, you will not keep it small in size, but rather provide it with new nutrients that it needs for the bonsai tree to grow and succeed.
🌿 How often should I repot it?
This depends entirely on the size of the container and the type of tree you are growing. Fast-growing tree species are often repotted every two years, sometimes even every year. Older, more mature trees should be repotted every 3 to 5 years. The tree should not be repotted routinely, but should be inspected once a year in early spring by carefully removing it from its container. You will know that your bonsai tree needs to be repotted when you see roots surrounding the outside of the container. If the roots are in the ground, you will need to wait another year before inspecting it again.
🌿 When?
The tree should be transplanted in early spring while it is still dormant. Doing so at this time of year will minimize damage to the tree, as the tree does not need to maintain fully developed leaves during this period. Spring is a growing season, so any root damage will soon be repaired.
🌿 Bonsai soil mix
For the best results for your trees, you need to carefully choose the right soil mix. The soil mix should drain well to prevent root rot, but also absorb enough water to provide the tree with water. While some tree species require specific soil mixes, the mixes listed below are suitable for most trees:
Mix akadama, pumice stone, and lava rock in a 2:1:1 ratio.
If you don't have enough time to water your trees regularly, choose a mix that absorbs more water (use more akadama), and if you live in a more humid climate, choose a mix that drains more water (more lava rock).
SEASONAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE
As the seasons change, a bonsai grower must consider the circumstances and dilemmas that may affect his plants. Since the trees are not in the ground, you must do what you need to do to ensure that your bonsai tree survives the seasons.
In the summer, bonsai needs cool nights, sunny days, and almost daily fog or rain. If your climate does not provide these conditions naturally, you must provide them. Avoid extremes of temperature, light, rain, and wind. Water the entire plant daily, but do not allow it to become waterlogged.
Bonsai should be prepared for winter in the fall. Slow down the growth of the plants by watering less often and stopping fertilization. Do not cut or prune branches after mid-August.
Low winter temperatures and dry winds can easily kill bonsai trees. If temperatures drop below 28 F during the winter, bonsai should be protected in a greenhouse, pit, or refrigerator. A cold frame is basically a box that houses bonsai during the winter months.
If you put them in a cold frame, remember to water them in it. In the winter, watering may only be necessary every other day. More bonsai die from overwatering than from drying out.
In the spring, start a new bonsai, prune the old ones, and continue training. The rest of the growing season is dedicated to the plants adapting to these procedures.
In general, bonsai grow well outdoors at temperatures above 15 °C. Below this limit, some kind of frost protection is needed. You can bring them indoors, but this can compromise the health of the plant. In extreme circumstances, this may be the only option.
Remember that woody plants must go through a period of cold dormancy if they are to survive. If you don't give them this time, they will die.
Hibernation is a survival strategy developed by temperate species to survive the winter. These species have a biological clock that tells them to slow down their activities and prepare their soft tissues for the onslaught of cold temperatures. Species that have a well-developed need for rest cannot get rid of it.
In cold temperatures, you can try covering the bonsai with a tarp or plastic wrap. Do this at night and remove it during the day.
It is important to know that trees will not tolerate higher temperatures once they start growing. Just as trees gradually become more resistant to cold in the fall, they will also become less resistant to cold in the spring.
Closed buds, although swollen, will still be able to survive short periods of mild frost, but once the buds open and young leaves begin to develop, frost can cause serious damage, so trees should be returned to frost shelter when frost threatens.
Also remember that full-sized trees lose their leaves in the winter. Your bonsai is a miniature version of a large tree and it will also lose its leaves. This is okay and normal. The leaves will grow back!
THE REST OF THE STORY
Bonsai is not an art of perfection. It is an art of scale and personal preference. Of course, you will make mistakes. This is normal and happens even to the greatest bonsai masters.
You can also destroy trees. And that's a sad fact of this business, especially in the beginning of growing. You're dealing with living things and you have to respect that. Commit to understanding why each tree dies and what you can do to prevent it. Learn from your mistakes and do your best to avoid them in the future.
Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that by planting a tree in a pot, you are committing to caring for it. You can't just ignore it or it will die. Bonsai is both a responsibility and a hobby. If you practice it carefully and patiently, the rewards are enormous.
There is no instant process in bonsai. Expect your trees to develop over years, even decades. It may take ten or more years before your plant truly becomes a "bonsai." Don't let this discourage you, but see it as part of the experience.
Don't play with toys! Beginners are tempted to constantly play with the tree(s), cutting it here and there, constantly watering, misting, moving it, etc. Water needs and health issues should be checked daily, otherwise let the tree grow and just enjoy it!
Pruning a tree is necessary , but you don't have to constantly jump on every leaf that's out of place. In order for a tree to remain healthy and vital, it needs to be allowed to grow freely from time to time.
It is also important to know that timing is very important, so do not carry out work such as transplanting or major renovations at the wrong time of year, as this can lead to poor tree health and a lack of vitality. A tree transplanted at the wrong time of year, for example, may survive if you are lucky and even grow a little, but it will rarely reward you with vigor.
It is especially important not to overload the tree with several procedures at once. Leave the tree alone, for example between wiring and transplanting. Just as a person needs time to recover from surgery, a bonsai tree needs the same treatment.
Plants are living things and need to fully recover from one procedure before the next step is taken. A general rule of thumb is to wait one to three months after transplanting before working on the tree, or until you see clear signs of vigorous growth.
Although bonsai is in many ways a very delicate and meticulous hobby, the plants are usually very forgiving - so don't be afraid to prune. Also, be careful not to leave the wire attached for too long and it will cut into the bark.
Dispel any misconceptions that bonsai is too difficult to learn, too expensive, or too time-consuming to grow. None of this is true. It is actually a fun, relaxing, and beautiful hobby. Remember that bonsai is an art form that uses living plants as raw material.
In general, bonsai trees are quite personal and there are no hard and fast rules that you should follow if you are just taking it up as a hobby that you want to enjoy. It doesn't have to be an expensive undertaking, but it is one that requires a lot of time, patience, skill and endurance.
Even though things don't always go according to plan, don't give up. Remember that Japanese bonsai masters were also beginners at one point and had to have their share of trial and error.
CONCLUSION
Although the art of bonsai can be very intimidating for beginners, it is actually as simple as making it yourself. There are many types and varieties of trees that can be grown; many new techniques to learn to improve the appearance of bonsai trees, and a seemingly unfathomable amount of do's and don'ts. The most important aspect for beginners is learning how to easily maintain the shape of the tree and keep it alive.
Learning how to successfully care for your first tree will boost your confidence enough to broaden your horizons and successfully learn more advanced techniques like pruning and bonsai creation. But don't run before you can walk. The first fundamental rule you must learn when taking up this art is that you are dealing with something that is living and constantly changing; before you can successfully care for your tree, you must learn the basic rules of horticulture.
To achieve the ultimate goal of a beautiful tree, there are many bonsai techniques that bonsai enthusiasts can use. The information available on many websites and in bonsai books is often contradictory. It should be remembered that there are 100 different techniques or approaches for any given goal, such as grafting, pruning, or shaping.
Some are based on gardening facts, others on gardening myths, and still others on gardening luck! In fact, many of these techniques are effective to some extent. Unfortunately, some tips and techniques, while not killing trees, can reduce their vigor as the trees cope with stress. Good advice based on simple horticultural facts can only improve the health, appearance, and vitality of your trees.
You must learn for yourself which techniques are appropriate for you and your tree in the given conditions.
You must not rush. They say Rome was not built in a day. Also, bonsai does not grow in a short time. Bonsai certainly takes time, but the rewards are great.
As it grows and shapes itself to your liking, you will design something that is uniquely yours. It will be something you can be proud of - something you can brag about - something you can take credit for.
In "The Karate Kid," Mr. Miyagi told Daniel that he had to be patient while learning fine karate. Miyagi demonstrated this concept best with his bonsai. He grew one tree for five years, which is perhaps the ultimate example of patience. This should be your basic rule for bonsai beginners. Be patient and let nature take its course.
Some people think they are not capable of growing a top-notch bonsai. No problem, you don't have to! But if you grow a bonsai that you find beautiful, you may end up being rewarded when someone else sees the same beauty as you!
Don't be disappointed; don't feel like you have to stick to rigid rules.
Simply grow your tree, spend time creating your masterpiece, and enjoy the results - along with everyone else!
Thank you for your attention!
