How to Grow and Care for Bonsai

Pay attention to the seasons of the year. Like all plants, bonsai trees also respond to the change of seasons. If you grow the plant outdoors, it will be more responsive to changes in temperature, light and rainfall in the area. Some regions have four distinct seasons, while in others there is no great variation between seasons. Either way, it’s a good idea to learn about the response of the tree you’re growing to the changing seasons in your area and take care of it accordingly.

• Plants often hibernate during the winter; plants won’t leaf or grow, so they don’t use as much nutrients. During this period, the plant only needs to be watered. Avoid pruning the tree too much, as the tree will not be able to make up for lost nutrients before spring.
• In the spring, the plant will begin to use the nutrients stored in the winter to sprout new shoots and grow. This season of the year is when plants are in transition, so it’s also a good time to repot (add nutrients to the soil) and start pruning.
• Plants continue to grow throughout the summer and use up any remaining stored nutrients. Be sure to water the plant well during this period.
• In the fall, plants grow more slowly and nutrients begin to accumulate again. This is the right time for both pruning and repotting.

Let the plant sunbathe in the morning and stay in the shade in the afternoon. The light needs of bonsai trees depend on the species and climate in the area, but most thrive in a location with morning sun. Every few days, you should rotate the pot 90 degrees so that the entire canopy of the plant receives an even amount of light. ^[4]

• Indoor plants may need to be shaded with window blinds during the hot summer months.

Protect plants from temperature extremes. In the summer, you can leave the plant outdoors most of the time. Bring the plant indoors during the night when the temperature drops below 4 degrees Celsius. Before winter arrives, you should prepare the plant to acclimatize to the indoor environment by bringing the plant indoors a few hours a day, and finally let it sit. always in the house.

Provides water and nutrients to plants. Use a fertilizer specifically designed for bonsai trees to help them stay healthy. Water the plant when the soil begins to dry out. The frequency of watering will depend on the species of plant and the season of the year. You may need to water your plants a little bit each day during the summer, but during the cold winter months it should only be watered every few days.

Choose a style for the tree. There are many traditional tree styling styles that you can choose for your bonsai tree. Some designs simulate trees growing in the wild, others have a more unique style. There are dozens of bonsai styles to choose from, although some are limited because of pots. ^[5] The following are some of the most popular bonsai poses:

• Chokkan This is the formal upright posture; It has the image of a strong and upright tree with branches radiating all around.
• Moyohgi This is a free upright stance; The tree will have a more natural inclination instead of growing vertically towards the sky.
• Shakan . This is the side position – the tree looks like it is standing in the wind and has an impressive appearance.
• Bunjingi This is the “literary” position. The trunk is usually long and twisted with very few branches.

Shape the trunk and branches. The process of shaping a bonsai tree involves bending the trunk and branches to guide the tree’s growth. Wrap the wire to keep the tree in shape as described here:

• Use annealed copper wire for evergreens, and use aluminum wire for deciduous trees. ^[6] You will need larger wire for the bottom of the tree, and thinner wire for the branches.
• Secure the wire by wrapping it around a tree or branch 1-2 times. Do not wrap too tightly to avoid damage to the plant.
• Wrap the wire at a 45-degree angle, using one hand to keep the tree still while wrapping.
• The need for wire wrapping will vary depending on the time of year and whether the plant has just been repotted. ^[7]
• Over time, when the tree starts to grow into the shape you bent, you will have to re-wire the tree and continue shaping until the tree holds the shape you want without assistance. of steel wire.

Cut and prune trees. Use pruning shears to selectively cut off leaves, buds, and parts of branches to help the plant grow the way you want it to. Each time you prune the tree, new shoots will be stimulated to grow in other places on the tree. Where and how often to prune is part of the art of bonsai, and mastering it will take time and practice. ^[8]

• When transferring the plant from a large pot to a small pot, you need to trim the roots to fit the size of the pot. Do not prune the roots before the trunk has reached the desired size.
• Prune trees in the summer to stimulate new shoots. If you need to remove an entire branch, you should wait until the fall, when the tree is less active. Conduct maintenance pruning to remove dead branches in late winter or early spring.
• Over-pruned plants can be damaged, so you need to be careful not to cut too much.

Transfer the plant to a display pot. When the bonsai tree has the perfect shape as desired, you can transfer the tree to the display pot. There are a variety of beautiful ceramic or wooden pots that you can use to display your bonsai for optimal effect. Choose a pot that matches the style of the bonsai tree. Remember to be very careful when transferring pots to prevent damage to the roots, and use a pot large enough to hold the right amount of soil (and nutrients) needed for a healthy plant.

• Choose a pot that is about the same length as the tree’s height. The larger the stem, the deeper the pot should be. ^[9]

Consider adding a few touches to the potted plant. Although the bonsai tree should be the “star of the show”, a few miniatures will help enhance the beauty of the bonsai tree. Tiny rocks, shells and trees can be used to create the image of a bonsai tree as part of a forest or beach setting.

• Remember not to place rocks or other objects crammed with the roots.
• Adding some moss is a great way to create an attractive scene.