Care of Bonsai Trees

From the book “A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Bonsai Trees“, Russell Egan shares valuable tips on how to grow a bonsai tree. You will surely benefit much from his book.

When I was starting out as a Bonsai hobbyist, I needed all the materials I could find to learn the basics; going mainstream growing a bonsai tree for business and not merely as another hobbyist, I discovered that reference materials written by seasoned bonsai growers always come handy. Thanks to Russell, bonsai techniques for beginners are now conveniently compiled in a book and available online.

Growing a bonsai tree successfully requires the same approaches as growing an ordinary plant – only applied differently. Take fertilizing as example. Most plants and trees need nutrients not directly sourced from the soil, but Bonsai tree growing has different fertilizer requirements.

Most bonsai trees need fertilizers, just like ordinary plants, but too much can be detrimental. One sound advice is to research for your tree’s specific fertilizer needs. Some trees are just not tolerant to too much fertilizing; in fact, most bonsai species would prefer fertilizer applied on their roots LESS OFTEN.

This is where a bonsai reference guide comes handy. Check out Russell Egan’s book if you have time for a more enjoyable and profitable bonsai tree growing experience.

The internet offers a plethora of legit bonsai dealers who offer a wide array of bonsai stock, and nothing offers utmost convenience in shopping for a bonsai tree than the internet. So, why this topic?

This is NOT to discourage you from ordering your bonsai stock online. The purpose of this article is to highlight points you should ponder whenever you make a purchase and to encourage you to visit your local nurseries, whenever you have the opportunity. Internet buys are equally advantageous, and again convenient, but it pays to choose your bonsai stock – up close and personal.

Here are the reasons why:

1. You can choose healthy plants and avoid wasting money on bonsai trees that will not pay off in the long haul. Buying your bonsai tree from the local nursery gives you the opportunity to examine the tree from trunk to stem.

1. You can demand a form of guarantee, such as money-back or replacement, in case the problem does not show up on the day you make your purchase. Some bonsai stocks do not show plant diseases until later.

1. You can ask for advice and additional information on how to successfully plant and nurture your bonsai as most local nurseries are managed by individuals who are “hands-on” bonsai enthusiasts themselves.

Patronizing local nurseries, as well as the internet, encourages more and more people to get involved in the bonsai industry. It would not be long for bonsai to find its way in almost every home!

(Part II, “5 Secrets on Successful Bonsai Tree Planting Revealed”)

Not all Bonsai trees can grow indoors; this is a fact that not all bonsai dealers would want you to know!

Bonsai tree growing may be considered an art, but it is not a form of art imitating life; it is life itself. What you will plant is a normally-growing tree or shrub that will undergo its natural processes of bearing flowers and fruits, according to seasons, but only on a pot where it is planted. As such, it would need sunlight, wind, and all environmental factors necessary for its growth. When confined indoors, some tree species would simply perish while others may last for a couple of months, but eventually will not survive as long as their normally-growing varieties would do, under normal conditions.

Bonsai dealers who are out to make a fast buck would not inform a newbie Bonsai enthusiast, until it is too late. This is why it is advised that before you venture into the hobby of bonsai tree growing, you should learn the basics and network with seasoned hobbyists. Remember that you shall invest time, money and effort in each bonsai tree you attempt to grow; learning the basics will save you from the hassle and expense plus the heartache of losing your work of art.

What You Can Do

There are three (3) things you can do to reverse the situation:

First, you need to find out, which tree or plant variety can grow indoors;

Second, you should dutifully expose your bonsai trees outdoors, even if you intend to “house” them indoors. In short, you won’t succeed if you will never allow that window of opportunity for plants to experience their natural environment.

Finding which tree or shrub has the potential to survive indoors is a battle halfway-won; however, it is still imperative that you expose it outdoors lest it loses its health and eventually, dies.

Third, deal only with reputable Bonsai dealers who do not pass up the opportunity to coach newbie bonsai enthusiasts like you. After all, your success is very much their own, for how else would they grow their own business if your experience as a bonsai tree grower is met by heartbreak?

Having a “green thumb” is not one of these 5 well-kept secrets!

Contrary to what many people have believed all these years regarding the “green-thumb” myth, which makes everyone who has it successful on all things horticulture, planting bonsai trees successfully is NOT for every Jane or Joe.

Growing bonsai is science on its own. It demands calculated steps, close attention to the needs of the plant and constant TLC (tender, loving care) to make bonsai thrive.

Bonsai is generally considered an art form due to its size and appearance, however unknown to many it can only remain and look that way when it is constantly cared for under special conditions. When left unattended, a bonsai tree can outgrow its miniature size and become a “normal” tree again.

There are 5 secrets to successful Bonsai Tree Planting that only a serious hobbyist or Bonsai enthusiast, in modern parlance, knows about. One of these secrets is pruning.

To contain the tree’s growth to miniature size, pruning is done on its roots. This method involves removal of the roots, and in its place new roots will sprout. Doing this regularly for at least once a year, the tree is maintained at its miniature height. Conversely, if pruning is not performed, the tree will continue to grow to its normal height, lose its Bonsai-look and appeal. All your investment – time, money and effort – in Bonsai planting will all go to waste.

Although the main purpose of root pruning is to maintain the tree’s growth to miniature size, the method is also highly advantageous to ensure that the tree grows healthy, despite its “containerized” environment.

Bonsai tree planting does not eliminate the tree’s other natural processes like flowering and bearing fruits. It’s utterly amazing to see miniature varieties of trees bear fruits on their branches as they sit on lovely containers at home. Root pruning makes this possible.

For remaining “secrets”, subscribe to this blog or just check back for more relevant information.

Finding your source of bonsai tree species is “battle halfway won” for your new-found hobby or alternate source of income; the other half depends on your steadfastness to care for your bonsai. Where to find the right source is the real challenge; as in raising children, what they become later in life speaks volumes about the kind of atmosphere in the home where they are raised from.

Here are 3 common places where bonsai enthusiasts often start their search for a source or supplier of bonsai trees:

1. Local bonsai nurseries
2. Local gardens
3. Fellow Bonsai Enthusiasts

As the wave of growing bonsai trees, either as a form of hobby or new business, rub on more and more people, the search for suitable suppliers transcended from local nurseries to virtual tree stores.

Today, bonsai enthusiasts, most especially first-timers, refer to the internet for links to suppliers of bonsai tree species, including sources of garden materials and tools. With thousands of search results, first-time bonsai tree growers would certainly find a hard time distinguishing legitimate business from scam.

Too much “window-dressing” on the part of some bonsai stores can influence judgment; bad choice can lead to poor tree selection or problems on delivery may ensue. These are just some of the reasons why some bonsai enthusiasts quit before they even get started on growing their first bonsai tree.

Care of bonsai trees becomes a bigger challenge when you lack proper information. Newbie bonsai enthusiasts do not enjoy the same learning curve; there are those who can easily pick up tips by merely reading them, while others need guidance during their initial months of growing their trees. It is therefore helpful if your source of trees and garden tools have the expertise and experience to speak about.

Here are 5 tips on what to look for in an online bonsai store:

1. Referred by your friends, relatives or fellow Bonsai enthusiasts;
2. Registered with the Better Business Bureau;
3. Receives good feedbacks from its clients;
4. Managed by someone who has successful track record in growing bonsai trees;
5. Offers some form of guarantee (money-back guarantee) to protect your interest from delivery issues, such as damages to your bonsai during transit or shipment and delays.

Finding the right source of bonsai species and garden implements eliminates half of the challenge in your care of bonsai trees. You are now well on your way to create your own masterpiece.