There is a widespread belief that taking care of a bonsai is something very complicated and the way it is presented in movies and series does not help much to clarify this myth. While it's true that bonsai is an age-old art, there's nothing exotic, mysterious, or too difficult about taking care of them. To a certain extent, taking care of a bonsai is like taking care of any other plant and yes, although there are different details that you have to take into account, anyone can enjoy the advantages of having these cute ones at home. You just need a little knowledge to gain confidence, so after reading and learning how to get started in the world of bonsai, you'll run to the store to ask for one.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
Bonsai 101: The Basics
Many people have the idea that a bonsai is a kind of tree, when in fact bonsai refers to the technique that allows dwarf trees to be maintained, as well as giving them a very particular shape and aesthetic. On the other hand, the word bonsai refers to the whole plant and pot, because the objective is to offer a miniature landscape, so it is common to see arrangements with rocks and other natural elements in harmony with the tree. A bonsai can be made from practically any species of tree, although some species are always preferred over others for aesthetic and environmental reasons.
Another interesting feature of bonsai is that, unlike a painting or a sculpture, a bonsai is a work that never ends. It's constantly growing and developing, so to some extent you can't own it, you just take care of it until the next generation takes care of it. Because they are such long-lived and unique trees, it is easy to understand why they have such a deep and important meaning in Japanese culture.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
Before
yougo out and get your first bonsai, you should have an idea of what type you would like to have. Bonsai trees can be classified according to their size and size. Depending on the way the trunk is grown, a bonsai can be:
Moyogi – Casual Upright Style
In this style of bonsai the tree is upright, although the trunk may have some curvatures. It is a very popular shape in trees for beginners, as they do not require so much care in terms of pruning and wiring the branches, and almost all trees look very beautiful with this bearing. Surely your first bonsai will be of this style.
Hokidachi- Broom
This style is ideal for those deciduous trees, which tend to have thin branches and are very bushy. As the name suggests, the trunk is straight, but branches out to a third of the height as if it were a broom turned upside down.
Chokkan – Formal Standing
This type of bonsai requires the trunk to be completely straight, and the base of the trunk looks a little wider than the rest, giving the appearance of a triangle. It's a style you see in nature on conifers when they grow without having to compete for light. They look very imposing and handsome, especially because they offer a very natural outfit.
Shakan - Inclined
As the name suggests, the trunk should grow at an angle of 60 to 80° if possible. To maintain visual balance, the first branch is left in the opposite direction of the inclination. The tree should maintain the conical shape, with a thick base that thins to the apex. Here the idea is to imitate those trees that due to external conditions (wind, terrain, lack of light) grow in capricious directions.
Kengai – Waterfall
Imagine that a
tree has grown on the edge of a mountain, received the weight of rocks that have slid and grown downwards. Well, this is basically a Kengai. It's a tricky stance to a certain extent, because you're forcing the tree to grow in the opposite direction to the natural one. It is usually planted in tall pots and its branches are intended to grow horizontally to harmonize the whole.
Where do I start?
- Seeds, cuttings, and trees
There are several ways to get a bonsai. There are those who grow the chosen species from seed, and while this is possible, it requires a good amount of patience as it could take between 3 to 5 years before you can start styling it. This method is inexpensive but impractical for the enthusiast who wants to enjoy the beauty of bonsai right away.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
Another option is to buy or look for a sapling, in fact there are places that sell pre-bonsai or trees with the right size to start working on them. For this you require the precise knowledge to know how to work with the roots and how to style the branches using wires and even then it is a risk, because they do not always survive, especially when you are starting and learning.
In my opinion, the best option to get started in the bonsai world is to buy a sapling that is already primed and ready to go home. This ensures that the bonsai is strong and on track to continue to develop healthy and happy. You will only have to worry about taking care of it and attending to it. In any case, it is advisable to buy it from trusted places such as Be Green, as they offer you the guarantee that they are giving you a healthy and perfect tree.
- Choosing the right tree
The first point is the same as choosing any plant: you need to know your space and lifestyle. You have to take into account the space, the climatic conditions and the region where you live. In the same way, you should think about whether you want to have your bonsai inside or outside your house, as this is decisive to choose the perfect species. If you decide to have it outside, you will be able to find many more options, although do not let this discourage you, as there are beautiful species that grow very well indoors.
The safe bet is to choose a tree that grows naturally in your city or region, as you will know that it will adapt perfectly to the space. For example, the olive tree or the Acer palmatum can grow perfectly in almost any region of Spain. If you have any questions, you can ask the experts at Be Green at the time of purchase.
- The perfect size
Bonsai trees come in a variety of sizes that will depend on the species and how the tree has been arranged. It is possible to find specimens of about 20 centimeters, up to monstrous ones of 1 meter or more. Think about where you're going to place it, the lighting it receives, and the aesthetic aspect, and remember that the tiniest ones may require a little extra attention.
- The pot is important
Bonsai is a word that includes the whole of plant and pot, this is because a bonsai is a little piece of the landscape at home. The pot should complement the size and style of the tree. It should be wider than it is tall, with enough substrate to cover the tree's roots and drainage holes that make it easier for excess water to escape. A good trick is to worry about the form and function of the pot first at first, then you can switch to one with a better aesthetic sense when the tree is a little more developed.
While
thecare of each bonsai will depend directly on the species of the tree, there are general considerations that you should take into account. As with any type of plant, the most important thing is to place it in the right place, where it receives the amount of light and humidity it requires to be happy. Once it's well positioned, taking care of it will be easier.
-irrigation
The amount and frequency of watering will depend, as always, on several factors such as the species of the tree, the size of the pot, the climate, and its location. In any case, you should know that having such a small pot, the substrate tends to dry quickly, so you must be very aware of the watering. This isn't to say you should water daily or multiple times a day, because excess moisture can cause root rot, which is one of the leading causes of bonsai death. Pay attention to the substrate before watering and learn its own rhythm. Always check that the drainage holes are not clogged and that the pot is the right size for the tree.
- Transplanting and substrate
Most bonsai trees usually require a potting change every year and a half to every two years or so. This will prevent the tree's roots from growing so large that they lack room to develop, become entangled in themselves, and hinder water absorption.
To do the transplant you must carefully remove it from the pot, trying to protect the main roots. Gently remove excess substrate. You can prune the roots, removing the tips of the thicker, older roots that have no nourishing functions. Lift the plant and trim the bottom of the root system, the part that hangs down, about halfway down with clean, sharp scissors. This stimulates root growth and preserves the size of the tree.
As for the substrate, it should retain water, without waterlogging, allowing adequate drainage that allows oxygen to circulate and prevents root rot. These characteristics can be achieved by an inorganic substrate, containing some akadama, which is a baked clay made especially for bonsai and just the right proportion of organic matter.
- Prune and form
While you don't have to prune your bonsai all at once, it's something you'll need to do at some point when it's developed so much that it starts to lose its shape. The goal of pruning is to make the tree look exactly like a large, full-grown specimen, but in miniature. Pruning should be done in spring and using appropriate tools so as not to damage the branches. If you want to do a pruning for aesthetics, do it in winter.
There are certain precepts that you should keep in mind when pruning the branches of a bonsai:
- When you have 2 branches on the tree of the same size, cut one off and keep the other.
- If one of the branches grows strangely, crookedly, or unnaturally, you should cut it off.
- If you notice that there are branches at the top of the tree that are too thick and disproportionate, you should cut them off.
Trim any protruding branches that damage your tree's conical or triangular shape on a regular basis, as well as remove any dry leaves or broken branches. Remember to always use the right tools and go little by little, you can always trim a little more but if you exaggerate the cut and deform the tree, you will have to arm yourself with patience and wait for it to grow back.
As for the techniques to form and style the tree, anodized aluminum or copper wires are used, delicately wound around the branches so that they can be bent and moved to the shape you want. In this way, you can give the tree the size you want. This is not a beginner's task and you must know how to do it well so as not to injure the branch and to achieve the desired result. If you have purchased a tree that has already grown and been stylized, this will not be necessary.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
-fertilizer
The application of fertilizers should be done during the active growing period (spring and summer), depending on the species of the tree, although many use a 7-7-7 balanced fertilizer. Fertilizing is very important because the tree is located in a limited space, with a reduced amount of nutrients that must be replenished regularly. It is advisable to dilute the fertilizers to half of what the instructions indicate or use half the dose to avoid any risk of burning the roots with the excess nutrients.