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How to Care for a Bonsai Tree: Watering Tips

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/qorize/Watering your Bonsai in the same manner you water a normal plant may stunt its growth, or worse, kill it. In fact, if there is something you should watch out with a hawk’s eye is how you or other people water your bonsai.
How to care for a bonsai tree is largely dependent on many factors, but watering it properly is the most important aspect you should learn, and perhaps master; that just by looking at your bonsai, you should know when it needs water and when it is having too much.
Here are 5 things you should keep in mind:
1. Forget all standard watering rules; watering a bonsai tree has a rule all its own, follow it.
2. Don’t water your bonsai 2-3 times a day, too much water will kill it; in fact, it is not even necessary that you water it daily. You can maintain humidity level (bonsai thrives in humid environment) by sprinkling water on its leaves and branches, but make sure water does not drip too much down to the roots.
3. Feel the soil. For the entire life of your bonsai, the soil mixture where you plant it is your gauge of your plant’s watering needs: it should neither be too wet nor dry to your touch. Keep the soil moist on the surface and deep down to the roots of your bonsai.
4. Use a special watering tool or sprinkler for bonsai trees or plants. It has a nozzle or watering spout that pours water directly on areas you want watered (specifically around the base of your bonsai). This eliminates the risk of over-watering your bonsai.
5. Treat each bonsai tree as unique; do not water all your bonsai trees at the same time of the day or week. Each bonsai tree has specific watering needs that depend largely on other factors like tree specie, type of potting soil where your bonsai is planted, type and size of its pot (porous materials hold water longer), and the plant’s location (bonsai placed indoors would not need as much water as those placed outdoors). Always check your bonsai pots individually and determine if the soil has become dry or still moist to your touch.
Keep coming back for more free information on how to take care of a bonsai tree. Your success in your hobby or business is as much as ours; don’t forget to email us your queries.

A Bonsai Tree Information: 3 Tips in Choosing Containers for Your Bonsai Trees

2696336978_bcfe651f1e_mContainers Matter. As the house where a man lives becomes his physical proof of how well ( or how bad) he manages his life, its foundation, architectural design and layout surely matter to him; the container that holds your bonsai tree affects its overall appearance - in fact, like building your first home, containers can make or break your bonsai trees, including your prospect to successful bonsai tree growing.

Here are 3 valuable bonsai tree information you should always remember whenever you look around for pots, trays and other types of containers for your bonsai trees:

Highlight the Tree, not its Container. It’s a common mistake among budding bonsai enthusiasts to choose elaborate containers for their bonsai trees. Some people would even go out of their way to purchase pots or trays from other countries (preferably Asian-inspired as Bonsai originated in Asia). There is nothing wrong with an expensive purchase if money grows on your bonsai trees, but for those who do not have enough resources, just look around in your kitchen or garage for a suitable container that would match the dominant color of the leaves, flowers or fruits of your bonsai tree.

You read it right. The container should blend with the tree, and not the other way around. If you are like most people past their prime and your memory of the color wheel is just a hazy recollection of your grade school’s art class, just remember colors black, deep blue and earth-brown, which blend nicely with any color

Simple is Beautiful. Refuse containers with loud or intricate designs as these will take the spotlight away from your plant. This is where the phrase “simplicity is beauty” applies perfectly.

Create Balance. Bonsai trees are miniature trees, all right, but their sizes differ. Some would grow few inches higher (or shorter) than other bonsai trees, and your container should complement your tree’s height. This means that if your bonsai tree is really small, you should not choose a big container, and neither would you consider planting your bonsai tree in a small container that cannot hold its weight.

Another valuable bonsai tree information regarding selection of container is on its make. According to some experts, untreated wood is the best because it does not hold too-much water, unlike clay pots. As you know, clay-pots have porous surfaces that absorb water. Roots of bonsai trees should not be soaked in water; moisture in soil should be regulated (not too dry or too wet), otherwise bonsai trees may die.

Bonsai tree information is available in your local nurseries or on the internet. You may also inquire from a botanist or confer among other bonsai enthusiasts about the basics and proven techniques on successful bonsai tree growing. Your success in any endeavor is determined by your passion; if you are passionate enough to succeed as a bonsai tree grower, nothing can stand in your way.


First Step to Successful Bonsai Tree Growing for Fun and Money

59207806_e83913bafa_m3In successful bonsai tree growing, your recall of some age-old mantras like “you will reap what you have sown”, and “the fruit never falls far from the tree” can help you a lot. It simply means that if you get your seeds from a good source, it is more likely you grow strong bonsai trees and it is success halfway won for your new hobby or business.

Finding a source that meets the 3-point criteria of a legit source of seeds for bonsai tree growing is the first step to success.

What to look for in a Bonsai Store

  1. Supplies. Look for a source that has an extensive supply of seeds that would grow best in your type of climate. Some trees would not survive in tropical climate; others can only thrive in cold climate while others grow beautifully in temperate zones, where climate is not too cold or wet and not too hot either.

  1. Check for guarantees or after-sales service. When you order your seeds on the internet, they may be delivered to you through courier, which could take more than a couple of days. Make sure that in the event something happens to the delivery of your seeds, without negligence on your part, the company should compensate you accordingly or offer replacements. This is important as most trees with exposed roots wither during shipment or transit, and it could mean dead investment for you.

  1. Consider the Expert. On the internet, there are thousands of bonsai stores and dealers where you can make a fast order of grown bonsai trees, or seeds of fruit-bearing trees that would make good specimen for bonsai tree growing, however do not key-in your credit card details, unless you are certain you are dealing with a legitimate bonsai-tree grower, merchant or dealer.

While it is true anybody can put up shop for seeds and tools on the internet catering to bonsai tree growers, only a few know the hobby or business, right to its core. Deal with someone who can provide you with intelligent suggestions or tips on how you select the right seeds, spot an appropriate container, pruning techniques and other valuable information that guarantee success in bonsai tree growing, either as a hobby or business.

Bonsai tree growing is fast becoming a craze on the internet, but only those who have innate love for nature will see this hobby for what it truly is – not just as a pastime or simply a money-making venture (although it can truly be a lucrative business), but a productive expression of art and a way of preserving nature at its best: a miniature form of itself.


Bonsai For Beginners - The Rules

3505588291_eb2539b48e3Bonsai for beginners is a rewarding hobby. The origin of the word Bonsai comes from the combination of the Japanese words “Bon” that means tray and “Sai”, which means  plantation.  Literally, Bonsai means “planting in a pot or tray”.

If you love nature, but like most people, you spend your days in your office cubicle without sight of any vegetation, caring for a bonsai can be just the perfect therapy you need.

Engaging in Bonsai culture is a practical and soothing way to deal with your daily grind in the office or home, which can be hectic, to the point of not having your time to “smell the flowers” and commune with nature.

One of the first rules is to choose Bonsai that absolutely fascinates you. Make sure your heart skips a beat when you see it. Bonsais are delicate and you should be happy and relaxed when tending them, not see them as yet another responsibility.

Make sure you pick the perfect spot for your new `companion` before you buy it, a place where it gets enough light and air, but sheltered from strong currents and hot areas. It might even be fun to create a binder shelter for it in your office, as a “pet that never makes a peep” , and is happy just to sit there and watch you work all day. Think of it as your therapeutic escape; a calming sight when talking to a distraught customer.

Next rule is to do a little research, as you are doing right now, in order to make sure you are up to the commitment. Bear in mind that Bonsais are often associated with philosophical currents, so they are greatly respected as any living creature should be. It’s not like you’re marrying the plant, just make sure you want to make a little space in your daily schedule for it.

Every kind of Bonsai tree requires different watering, but all Bonsais need a little more attention than regular plants. During summer and  fall, your Bonsai will probably need daily watering, but be sure that the soil is not moist.  If it is, hold watering back a little longer.

Fertilizers are a must. You need to visit your local florist or botanist, or even an online gardening store to find the adequate fertilizer for your kind of Bonsai. Usually, Bonsais just need this treatment every other month.

And as a last tip in the Bonsai for Beginners express guide is to love your Bonsai! It will love you back, by providing you peace, beauty and clean air. A prefect little place in which to rest your mind when daily work piles up or when you are overwhelmed by your routine. It may sound like a lot, but in the end, caring for your plant will take you less than 10 minutes a day and provide hours of satisfaction and beauty. Plus, this is the time when we all need to do our share in saving the planet - in our own little way.

Hurry And Purchase A Bonsai For Sale

It has a pretty name and an amazing look, but the name simply means, “a tree in a pot”.

Bonsai is  a small replica of a tree in an art structure which adds to its natural beauty.  Bonsai plants that catch people’s eyes are those that are cultivated or sculptures.

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Most bonsai enthusiasts look at their hobby of growing and caring for bonsai trees as therapeutic; it provides them with a peaceful feeling as they watch their plants grow and thrive in its unique environment.

If you thought that indulging in Bonsai planting is expensive, it is not. If you haven’t purchased one because you felt you couldn’t afford it, you’ll be amazed to know, you have been putting off a wonderful hobby. With the popularity of the plant growing worldwide, many retailers are selling bonsai plants at discounted rates.

When you go shopping for Bonsai for sale, you will be shocked that there are so many varieties of both indoor and outdoor plants. These can be purchased for pleasure to enjoy at home or work, and they make great presents for special occasions. Some of the variety of plants you can find are also along the lines or have the look of tropical trees.  Flowering bonsais are very pretty.

Typically, all flowering plants need additional light, just a little more than the non-flowering species. This helps with the budding and production of flowers, and even fruit that are produced by some. If you are crazy about flowers, this selection may be great for you. The bloom colors on some can change with the season.  You can gather these blooms and turn them into bouquets for special occasions. These blooms are continuous, so you will enjoy beauty and color, whole year round.

Your may have entertained the idea that the plant is high maintenance, that it may take a lot of your time to maintain its beauty. That is simply a myth or perception. The good news is, most bonsais are relatively easy to take care of.

Here are some tips:

1.  Place your bonsai in a low humidity area;

2.  Don’t overdo watering your bonsai trees; they need just enough moisture to maintain their healthy growth;

3.  Just keep their roots wet, not soaked.

4.  Use Bonsai potting soil; this is slightly different from your normal plant potting soil.

Bonsai plants will also need a nitrogen feeding, phosphoric acid, and what we call potash in the fall and spring months, for added protection and growth.

Inside the home, the plant does best in a temperature setting of 50% or more. You’ll need to determine the proper light placement. Just enough light, but not too much.

Now that your interest has peaked, and you’re ready to join the enthusiast, go and purchase a Bonsai for sale. Don’t worry if you are a beginner, your Bonsai will come with basic instructions and trouble shooting tips to help you maintain its growth. Enjoy your new hobby.

How To Grow A Bonsai Tree In Your Home

2696336978_bcfe651f1e1Bonsai trees are a Japanese potted plant that can grow from 6 inches high to 3 feet high.  Growing a bonsai tree in your home is not a very complicated process, but does require quite a bit of time and attention. These trees are getting famous worldwide; people have been growing them, especially in china, for over 2000 years.

To be able to grow a bonsai tree there are certain methods that must be carried out with meticulous detail in order to grow the tree properly and to make sure the tree stays healthy.

There are a lot of books and DVD’s available on the internet that can introduce you to proper Bonsai culture.  We will gather helpful tips and valuable information from hobbyists and Bonsai enthusiasts for your reference; meanwhile, here are some tips:

The first and most important step is to choose the perfect bonsai tree for you and your home. Think about the space you want the tree to occupy and the time you can spend looking after the tree. It is always a smart choice to pick a tree that has already been potted and therefore, already rooted into the pot. This will make the process of growing your bonsai tree a lot easier than seeding the tree and planting it yourself.

Once you have purchased your bonsai tree, it must be pruned. The plant must be pruned before removing it from the container that you have bought it in. The main area that must be pruned is the central part of the trunk, as it is this area that is going to be visible. Pruning your bonsai is a simple process that can be completed in a very short time.

Once your plant has been completely pruned, it must then be removed from the original container and the trees root ball must be placed in a small bucket filled with water to keep the tree alive. This way you will remove any excess soil that is surrounding the root ball. The roots should be submerged for approximately ten minutes and then taken out and cleaned before putting the tree into its new container.

The last thing to do before repotting your new bonsai tree is to trim the roots. The roots must be trimmed off nearly completely, only leaving about one third of the roots in place. Your plant is now ready to be repotted; make sure to screen your new container before potting your bonsai tree to prevent the roots being eaten by any type of insects.

Your new pot should contain about an inch of new soil at the bottom of the pot. When potting your bonsai tree make sure to spread the roots out so they will not tangle with one another when they start to grow. Once potted remember to leave enough space between the new soil and the rim of the new container to allow easy watering.

Now all that is left to do is re-trim your plant to give it the perfect effect of the tree and add some gravel to the top of the soil for a little bit of decoration. Remember from time to time to feed your tree a little bit of fertilizer to keep it healthy.

How To Care For A Bonsai Tree

1802153733_579c3c4bcbGardening is a very relaxing and therapeutic hobby. It allows you the opportunity to unwind, make peace with yourself and appreciate more of life.

Gardening is also “mentoring in progress” as it challenges you to learn every day in order to keep you garden healthy and in good condition.

One of the topics most sought after today is on how to care for a bonsai tree. We often hear that it’s complicated and almost reserved for botany specialists, but the truth is that with the right information and tools, anyone can learn how to look after this unique plant.

When choosing for a spot in which to place your new bonsai tree, you must consider if you would want it to be displayed outdoors or indoors. This is because when a bonsai tree is placed outdoors, it must be located in a spot that provides shade and shelter from the wind.  Of course, when first signs of winter are noticed, you should move your bonsai tree inside.

If you would like your bonsai to be inside your home, be sure it’s not placed near a vent or a heating system.

If you wish to move your bonsai indoors and out during the day, bear in mind all the above recommendations.  The morning sun is the most beneficial for this kind of plant.

A gray area on how to care for a bonsai tree is the amount of watering it needs.  Since grade school, we learn about photosynthesis and how plants need water and sunlight to live. This knowledge leads us to think that the more we water our plant, the healthier it would be.  In the case of bonsai trees, this is not true.

Bonsai trees require a monitored level of dryness. It should not be too wet nor too dry.  When watering your plant the easiest way to control humidity level is to place the pot on a receptacle containing about two or three inches of water. After a few minutes, you will notice that dirt is absorbing the water. When you touch the soil and it’s moist, retrieve the pot and drain excess liquid. Never let your bonsai’s soil dry completely.

Another tip on how to care for a bonsai tree is to re-pot it every two or three years.  This will keep its  roots freshly trimmed. Also fertilize the soil monthly; if this is not possible, at least every two months.

As in any other species of plant, pests often pose a problem. Inspect your bonsai for insects and use mild insect repellents or simply soap them off. If problem is more serious than that go to a local botanist or florist for a chemical solution.

Bonsai plants are beautiful and caring for them slightly intricate than ordinary plants, however once you get into the loop of how to effectively nurture your plant, you will find your new hobby truly rewarding.

How to Take Care Of Bonsai Trees

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Taking care of bonsai trees is similar to taking care of other plants; it does not require special skills or technology.  What it demands is extra attention that a normal plant wouldn’t need.

If you are growing your bonsai tree indoors, try to “recreate” their natural habitat as closely as possible as bonsai trees are normally grown outdoors and they need quite a lot of light.

As stated, bonsai trees need a lot of light, artificial or natural, as they depend on this to grow and stay healthy. If you are growing your bonsai tree outside, try to place the tree in an area where there is at least six hours of sunlight a day; if this is not possible and you are growing your tree indoors, then the tree should be placed by the windows where there is sunlight or probably place it under a special light bulb for at least four hours a day.

The soil in your bonsai tree also needs to be checked and changed on a regular basis as the roots of bonsai trees are very sensitive. You will have to use special type soil and fertilizer to help your tree maintain its healthy growth. You can find a lot of books available online for your convenience to help you understand and guide you to  what specific type of soil and fertilizer is best for your tree and to guide you on the proper way of maintaining the soil in good condition.

Temperature is also a very important factor for the maintenance of your bonsai tree. Again if your tree is grown outside the air should not be too hot as this will dry up the tree and its roots. If your tree is grown indoors then you should make sure that the room where the bonsai is in stays at a normal room temperature so that your tree stays healthy.

Bonsai trees also need sufficient intake of water on a regular basis; like many plants they depend on water to stay alive. However, bonsai trees require more water than any other indoor plants.

Another thing that bonsai trees need to stay alive is humidity. Try to keep the room that your tree is in more humid than the rest of the rooms; this can be done by placing decorative trays filled with water close to your tree.

Remember to prune your tree on a regular basis also, this will help the tree grow healthier leaves and stalks than before and therefore grow a lot stronger and live longer. To find out how to prune your tree in the correct way, speak to your local botanist and ask for advice, including the tools that you should use.

It is also a good idea to trim and wire your bonsai tree. Apart from helping the tree to grow a lot stronger and definitely a lot healthier, it will also make the tree look more attractive and grow sturdier against the hazards of its environment. This is a simple process that can be done by simply wiring the branches of your bonsai tree and shaping the branches and the leaves to your liking.

To help you in your process of looking after and caring for your tree, it is recommended to do a little research on the maintenance of bonsai trees. Speaking to an expert and reading DIY-books will help you a lot in ensuring a longer life-span for your bonsai tree.

Care of Bonsai Trees Has a Website (finally!)

472470006_8d15470ae2Thanks for joining me and other advocates on the care of Bonsai trees.  This blog is dedicated to all Bonsai enthusiasts all over the world!

Bonsai is a the miniaturization of trees, or of developing plants that are shaped like trees, by growing them in small, restrictive containers. Growing Bonsai trees involves various techniques in shaping, watering, and repotting them in various styles and in different containers.

‘Bonsai’ is a Japanese pronunciation of the earlier Chinese term ‘penzai.’ In the West, the word bonsai is used as a higher-level term to describe all miniature trees in containers or pots.

On the internet, this is where you gather valuable information and tips on “everything Bonsai”.   Keep coming back!