Juniper Bonsai

There are few plants more intriguing and lovely than a tree in bonsai. I received my first bonsai as a gift, knowing a little about how to care for plants, but certainly not an expert in bonsai. I learned how to water a bonsai and all the little tips and tricks you’d need to ensure the bonsai stayed healthy.

Except trimming the bonsai.

A tree in bonsai is a living thing. Like any living thing, it has a cycle of growth. The thing is, the point of bonsai is to ensure that the growth is such that it simulates the appearance of a full-grown tree in miniature.

How do you do this without killing the plant? For a beautiful plant, you want to ensure that you’re keeping your bonsai healthy. Since it is a tree, if you care for it properly, it can live a long time. Ensuring bonsai longevity includes trimming your bonsai properly.

Don’t be afraid to trim your bonsai plant. Many beginners are afraid they will kill their bonsai tree by trimming it. That’s not the problem. To keep a bonsai healthy and beautiful, you must trim the tree. The important first step is to know where and when to trim the bonsai plant. This depends on what sort of bonsai tree you have. A general rule is to make sure you do not trim a bonsai plant when the sap is rising. A bonsai is a tree and sap rises in it just like any other tree in a forest or orchard. So, never trim your bonsai plant in the spring! If your bonsai plant is a deciduous tree (meaning, it loses its leaves in the autumn), late fall is the ideal time to trim your bonsai plant. If you have an evergreen, trim your bonsai plant in late winter.

Before you trim your bonsai tree, look at it carefully. Are there branches that look ill? Are you looking for a specific shape and effect? Bonsai is a combination of art and science. While you want to trim your bonsai for health and longevity, you want it to be beautiful, too! The first branches to choose when you trim your bonsai tree are certainly any sick or dead branches that seem to be threatening the health of the plant. While a certain amount of “driftwood” effect is fine for an esthetic effect, make sure that it is not interfering with the health of the bonsai plant. If you have been observing your bonsai plant carefully, you will have noticed what branches have been producing good leaves or needles, as well as the ones that seem to have been struggling. It is best for the bonsai longevity to trim struggling branches and allow the next season’s sap to rise into the healthy branches for maximum health.

When you have decided what branches to trim, take your sharp shears and cut the branches cleanly. After you have trimmed away everything you want, make sure to seal the cuts on the bonsai plant with a good tree sealant. If you have a deciduous tree, try a tar-based tree paint. If you have an evergreen, it is better to use grafting wax. You can get both items at any good gardening center.

Next fall or winter, make sure to sharpen your cutting shears and get everything ready so that you can trim your bonsai for the ultimate growth and longevity!

japanese maples | juniper bonsai

Acer Palmatum

Whether the occasion is a birthday, secretaries day, mothers day, fathers day or the holidays (Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa) bonsai trees make great gifts. Bonsai trees are a perfect gift for any loved one born with or without a green thumb. If you know someone special who loves and takes delight in caring for plants then bonsai trees may indeed be the perfect gift. Here are the items you will need if you decide to give a bonsai tree as a gift.

The first thing you will need to buy is a bonsai tree. Before buying a bonsai tree you need to determine whether your recipient will require an indoor or outdoor bonsai tree. Does the recipient live in a warm area year round like New Mexico or New Orleans or do they live in an area where the seasons change like New York or North Dakota. Next you will need to determine which bonsai tree species to buy. There are many types of bonsai trees like the Japanese maple, elm, ficus, maple, and juniper. Some bonsai tree species are more difficult to grow than others so you will need to make sure that you choose the appropriate species for the person who will be receiving the bonsai tree.

The second thing you will need to bonsai pot. Today there are various styles, colors, shapes and size to choose from so you can easily find a bonsai pot for the bonsai tree that is perfect for anyone. When selecting the bonsai pot, you will need to the correct size for the bonsai tree to ensure the tree fits inside the pot.

The third thing you will need to buy is bonsai soil. Unlike other types of plants, bonsai trees require a certain type of soil to grow. Some soils are already mixed with fertilizer to make your life easier. However, when buying bonsai soil you need to make sure that you not only buy enough soil to fill the pot but you will need to include extra soil as well.

The fourth thing you will need to buy is bonsai fertilizer. Bonsai trees require fertilizer for growth and nutrition. There are many kinds to choose from starting with organic and non organic types. Regardless of which fertilizer you choose, you will need to understand what nitrogen level your bonsai tree requires. To be safe buy extra fertilizer and package it with your bonsai gift.

The fifth thing you will need to buy is wire and tools. These items are essential especially for the novice in bonsai growing. Bonsai tool kits are available and they come with the standard tools such as the bending jack, concave cutter, scissors and wire cutters. The wire is also essential since wire is used to form the bonsai tree.

The last thing you will need to buy is a watering pot or can. Like most plant life, bonsai trees need frequent watering. Including a watering pot is a must since it is a subtle reminder that the bonsai tree requires water.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall, when it comes to bonsai trees, anytime can be a good time to buy a bonsai gift. When giving a bonsai tree as a gift make sure you include a pot, soil, bonsai fertilizer, wire tools, and a watering pot. By including these items your bonsai gift will be the perfect gift!

seeds | bonsai books

Acer Palmatum