Bonsai Start
Bonsai Start
Bonsai Care
Bonsai Care
The very word ‘bonsai’ conjures so many thoughts to many people. Almost a warrior sound yet in reality the word bonsai refers to a miniature tree called a bonsai tree.
Where Bonsai Started.
Most of us associate bonsai with the Japanese. Apparently the art of bonsai care and development as we know it today originated in China and was known as Pensai in China. Pensai as it was known has been traced back to around 600 a.d. and subsequently made it’s way to Japan
The word "Bonsai" comprises of two parts ‘bone’ meaning tray and "sai" meaning plant, which when literally translated equates to “tray plant”. We are so emphatic to ensure that we correctly call bonsai – trees when part of the derivation of the word does in fact mean plant.
In the care of bonsai trees we’ll take a few clear topics:-
O Watering bonsai
O Light and Humidity for my bonsai tree
O Bonsai Feeding
How frequently to water a Bonsai.
The first question most budding bonsai carers ask is “How often should I water a bonsai tree?” and the answer depends on many different factors. Watering and caring for a bonsai tree is a constant balance between too much and too little.
Variables to consider are when caring for your bonsai tree are:-
O The type of bonsai tree.
O The time of year is it – winter, summer, spring or autumn (fall).
O The location of the bonsai tree within your house or garden.
O The location of your property – i.e. Alaska or Arizona.
How should I water a bonsai tree?
The "best" way to water is to first wet the soil a little, this will improve the soil's ability to take in or absorb a larger volume of water, and then you should water thoroughly until the soil is saturated. Make certain that the entire soil mass gets wet - every time - you water and wait for the excess to run out of the drainage holes to be sure.
When should I water a Bonsai tree?
The "best" time to water is probably early in the morning, before the bonsai tree begins its day of growing activities. Also take a look during the day if the bonsai tree located in a particularly hot and dry place. Bonsai trees do not grow when the soil is too wet and they do not grow when the soil is too dry. A bonsai tree takes in water and nutrients during the ‘in between’ periods.
Work out a sensible watering schedule that is realistic and achievable and try and maintain a regular caring plan for your bonsai tree.
What kind of water should I use to water a bonsai tree?
Water your a bonsai with room temperature tap water. If the water is too hot or too cold it may “shock” the tree’s roots. If you have the ability, facility and time to collect rain to water – great.
Light and Humidity for my bonsai tree.
What light does a bonsai require?
Lighting is critical to your bonsai tree and keeping it healthy. Unfortunately there is no scientific formulae to ‘how much light’ does my bonsai tree need. Light requirements vary within the type of tree and the layout and design of your home.
What is the best kind of light for a bonsai?
Sunlight is by far the best type of light for bonsai trees and most other members of the planet earth! If the window providing most light is a convenient place then by all means use the best window klocation. It’s all down to balance – you don’t want to have your bonsai tree in a ‘windy’ hallway – even if it is the brightest place in your homw. If you preferred location doesn’t get too much light then utilise som e artifical light. So, in a case like this you need to find an alternative and more practical location and use some type of artificial lighting system. A simple ‘grow-light’ and timer will be a low cost and practical solutuion.
What about humidity and my bonsai tree?
Humidity helps to reduce water loss and a very dry environment cuase a bonsai tree to naturally loose it’s water content. Obviously avoid artifical and local causes of ‘dryness’ – i.e. don’t place next to a fire or heater. Indoor bonsai trees slow their growth in winter and do not need as much water. If you have a dry home (lacking humiditry) you can place your bonsai on a "humidity tray" filled with pebbles – this is probably improves your own environment too! The tray should be kept wet at all times so as to increase humidity levels. The other very simple solution is a spray. Using room temperature water spray the bonsai tree with a fine mist or spray.
Bonsai Feeding
Why Do Bonsai Need Fertiliser?
The bonsai environment is ‘artificial’ and therefore requires our intervention, help and care in order to maintain the health and development of the bonsai tree. The simplest way to achieve a healthy bonsai tree in addition to frequent watering is a frequent dose of fertiliser to the soil.
What type of fertiliser to use?
Use a balanced fertiliser to feed your bonsai tree - typically 20-20-20, at 25% strength, every other week. The numbers 20-20-20 are the percentage, by weight, of the N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) contained in that fertiliser. These elements will enhance the growth of your bonsai tree.
What Does N-P-K Stand For & What Does It Do?
N - Nitrogen is responsible for the size and amount of new growth and, to some extent, the green colour of the leaves. Nitrogen is required for cell division and, also, protein manufacturing.
P - Phosphorus is also necessary for cell division and is associated with good root growth and flowering.
K - Potassium activates cell enzymes and is related with overall healthy cell activity.
Bonsai Fertiliser Notes
O Always water your bonsai thoroughly before fertilising and never use fertiliser on a dry tree.
O Never fertilise a sick tree, as fertiliser is not medicine.
O If you are not sure how much fertiliser to use, follow the directions on the label and never use more than recommended.
O Fertiliser is a good thing, but too much is a bad thing.
About the Author
Peter's website - Bonsai Care - provides
tips & hints , links, resources and so much more.
I want to start a banyan bonsai. I have a banyan tree near my home.How do I grow a plant using a cutting ?
Hi,
If you need help with all things about bonsai, you may want to check this out:
http://www.bonsaigardener.org/index2.html?hop=neth888
Happy gardening!
Neth
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How to Bonsai - Where and How to Start
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Azalea Bonsai Care
Varieties of Azalea
Azaleas come in roughly three varieties: Satsuki and Kurume, which are native to Japan, and the American Azalea, or Rhododendron, which is used extensively in landscaping in the American South. The American varieties usually have larger leaves and flowers than the Japanese varieties. American Azaleas typically bloom in early spring.
Satsuki and Kurume Azaleas typically have small leaves, which makes them better subjects for bonsai. There are also a quite a few Satsuki varieties which produce different colored flowers, usually with a split combination of pink and white or red and white on the same bloom. There are other types that will produce different colored flowers (usually red and white) on the same plant. Satsuki Azaleas were named by the Japanese for their tendency to bloom in June, the sixth month.
Soil and Water
Just about all of the difficulties in keeping Azalea bonsai arise from two factors: 1) Water/soil chemistry; and 2) Soil composition. Most Azaleas come from the nursery potted in a soil which is 100% organic matter. This is done for a couple of reasons. First, the nursery people assume that the buyer is going to plant the Azalea in the ground or in a large container on a patio, and having a 1 gallon sized hunk of organic matter around the roots will help it get established. Second, the Azalea needs a lot of nutrients to produce the blooms, which are its big selling point.
The problem with potting Azaleas this way is organic soil drains very poorly, eventually causing plant death from root rot. If you buy a nursery Azalea, you should repot it at the first opportunity. Bonsai soil for an Azalea should be 40% organic matter, and 60% aggregate for drainage. Japanese growers use a fired clay pellet called Kanuma as the aggregate, but this can be expensive to purchase. The author has had success with decomposed granite and pumice as aggregate, but automotive spill absorbent or cat litter can be substituted if it is made of fired clay pellets and does not have any chemical additives. Azaleas need their soil and water on the acidic side. This can be done initially by adding peat moss to the soil, but the Azalea enthusiast will use a fertilizer for acid loving plants, or some other way to lower the pH, especially if there is alkaline water. You should not use artificially softened water, or try adding pool chemicals to the water supply. The salt buildup in the soil will kill the Azalea. Some people will add orange peels or old tea bags to their watering cans to acidify the water, and this seems to work well, but be careful . Start with a small amount to see how the Azalea handles it.
Potting
If you are potting a nursery Azalea into a bonsai pot, consider using a pot that is a little large by bonsai standards. The additional soil volume will give the plant room to grow, and will also give it a reserve against the effects of watering and fertilizer errors. Most writers will advise you to repot an Azalea after flowering is finished and before leaf growth starts. However, in some warmer climates, Azaleas may start pushing new leaves before they are finished flowering, and this can make things tricky. The best bet is to repot an Azalea while it is dormant, before flowering starts in this situation.
Location
Azaleas should be kept outdoors, but they should be sheltered from direct sunlight and strong wind. While some Azaleas are called "indoor Azaleas," the reality is that an indoor Azalea should be kept in a greenhouse or a conservatory.
Bonsai Training
Azaleas can be shaped into just about any bonsai style. Most bonsai artists will not shape one as a windswept or cascade style, as these do not reflect the natural growth habit of the Azalea. Wiring an Azalea should be done with care. The bark is easily damaged. Some bonsai masters will wrap the wire in tissue paper before applying it to an Azalea to protect the bark. Be careful bending branches. While young growth is usually pretty flexible, the wood can be brittle in older growth. You should prune your Azalea bonsai in the spring, after flowering (for those varieties that flower in winter or early spring) when the tree starts to produce vegetative growth. Azaleas are basally dominant, rather than apically dominant. This means that they will produce more growth on the bottom of the tree than the top. Keep this in mind while pruning. Some growers advocate removing the flowers to encourage leaf growth, but you can simply deadhead the blooms as they start to fade.
Use of the techniques here will result in a beautiful Azalea bonsai that will give enjoyment for many years to come. For more information, please visit<a href="http://www.kuromatsubonsai.com/azalea-bonsai">Azalea Bonsai</a>
About the Author
Charles Mashburn is a bonsai artist with 20 years' experience. His site is<a href="http://www.kuromatsubonsai.com">Kuromatsu Bonsai</a>. For more information about Juniper Bonsai, please visit <a href="http://www.kuromatsubonsai.com/juniper-bonsai">Juniper Bonsai</a>
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