Plants

How To Take Care of Bonsai?

The object is not to make the tree look like a Bonsai, but to make the Bonsai look like a tree – John Naka.

So, what is a Bonsai actually? It is an art from Japan that uses cultivation techniques to produce small trees in small containers that replicate the shape and form of a full-size tree. This tradition of making bonsai dates back to more than a thousand years in Japan. Traditionally, a bonsai is grown as an outdoor plant in Japan. But that depends on the climate type where you are living. If the climatic condition is severe, indoor bonsai is a great option to include some greenery in your home. As our country is predominantly tropical, some tropical and sub-tropical trees can be pruned to produce beautiful bonsai art.

Now there are many things that one must know before bringing a bonsai plant home. If you don’t know how to take proper care of the bonsai, it would die soon. So, read below and know how to take care of a Bonsai!

Which is the Best Place to keep the Bonsai?

Where to Keep Bonsai?

A Bonsai tree looks adorable and enhances the aesthetic value of your home for sure. As Bonsai is technically a tree, a miniature one, it would bring an interesting layer of décor to your room. But the placement of the Bonsai must change as per the climatic condition. Sunrays are also important for the necessary growth of your Bonsai tree and thus the balcony or window would be a great place to keep your Bonsai. But make sure when you are keeping your tree outside the temperature should not exceed more than 40 degree Celsius. The early morning is a nice time to feed some sunlight to your tree but don’t forget to bring it in during the scorching afternoon. Remember to keep your tree under sunlight for at least 6-8 hours daily.

How to Water the Bonsai?

Watering the Bonsai

Watering is the most important part to grow any plant or tree. You can water Bonsai tree once a week but during June-July-August, when the temperature is sky high, keep a check on the topsoil. Once you see the topsoil drying up, water it immediately. But always remember that this watering habit would vary as per the pot size, type of soil, and type of tree you have. Use a watering can or hose to water your tree and you must continue watering until the water starts running out of the holes from the bottom of the pot.

Humidity is another factor that must be kept in mind. So, during the colder months, keep your bonsai tree in a shallow tray filled with gravel and water.

How to Prune the Bonsai?

Pruning

The objective of pruning a bonsai tree is to maintain its proper shape. The tropical and sub-tropical trees require more periodic pruning than others. Bonsai clippers are available in the market and you must use them instead of normal scissors to remove dead branches. You can give a distinct shape to your tree by trimming it a bit here and there. So, put the creative cap on your head and start pruning. But if you think you are inexperienced, you can take help of the professionals to get the desired shape.

Which is the Perfect Soil for Bonsai Growth?

Soil to grow Bonsai

You definitely cannot use every type of soil to grow a bonsai tree. The perfect kind of soil for its growth would be the one that drains quickly retaining enough moisture. The soil also must have small particles or gravels for proper aeration of the roots. You can bring big volcanic rocks or stones to improve draining. And for that water retention quality, you can add some clay to the soil.

Is Fertilizing Necessary?

Fertilizer for Bonsai

The Bonsai grows in a small pot and in a small amount of soil. That’s why it is necessary to nurture the soil with necessary nutrients. You can pick up any general liquid fertilizer from any nursery. You can settle for once a month application of fertilizer for a conducive growth of the tree.

How to get that Repotting of Bonsai Done Properly?

Repotting

The experts say that repotting of a bonsai tree must be done once in two or five years to maintain a great health. The prime objective of repotting is to eliminate the excess roots that may starve the bonsai tree. As roots multiply over the years, there is a possibility that nutrients may not reach each root. Bonsai is a tree accommodated in a small area and that’s why repotting is essential to freshen up the tree. The basic steps of repotting are:

  • Remove the Bonsai tree very carefully from the pot.
  • Use sharp bonsai clippers to chop the outer layers of the roots.
  • Clean the pot thoroughly or better would bring a new pot.
  • Now place mesh squares to prevent soil from falling out.
  • Mix your soil with required particles or pebbles and clay and layer the bottom of the pot.
  • Place the tree on it.

Share these easy care guide with your friends who have bonsai or are planning to buy one.

 

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About the author

Shruti Sood

Shruti is crazy about F.R.I.E.N.D.S & that is the first thing she tells everyone she meets! In a parallel universe, she is a passionate writer! She loves to research about various things and make her write-ups informative. She is a marketing professional by day and wears many other hats during the rest of the day! She loves to travel, paint, write poems, play music, and watch memes!

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