How Do You Start a Bonsai Tree?
Bonsai is an interesting hobby to start with. It is a unique art form because your canvases are alive and ever-changing. Mastering the art of bonsai is a never-ending journey, and knowing how to get started is the key to success!
When starting out with your first bonsai, it is important to have a basic understanding of what bonsai is so that you can make the right decision about what you want to get. Creating a miniature nature, participating in its daily care and turning it into a beautiful art form is very rewarding and is an inspiration to many bonsai enthusiasts out there.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you start your first tree.
1. Choosing the Right Bonsai Tree
Choosing the right tree can sometimes be difficult. There are many different types of trees that can be used, such as deciduous, broadleaf and evergreen trees.
I recommend starting with an evergreen variety, such as juniper, for your first tree. Juniper varieties are very easy to transplant and other forms of pruning and training, such as wire shaping. They do not lose their leaves in winter because they are evergreen trees. Other evergreen species include pines, spruces, and cedar species.
2. Indoor or Outdoor Bonsai?
The needs of indoor and outdoor bonsai cultivation can be very different. Not all tree species are suitable for growing indoors, but all are suitable for growing outdoors.
Growing indoors means you have a dry, low-light environment. Tree species suitable for indoor bonsai include ficus, serica and boxwood. Remember that some trees need to go into winter dormancy and cannot be grown indoors for long periods of time.
3. Choose the appropriate size of bonsai tree
I recommend starting with a young tree that is over five years old. These are common tree sizes in the nursery and are easy to work with and shape. Old trees are expensive and require an experienced artist to work on them.
I recommend getting a starter tree larger than 30cm for your first tree. Working on small trees requires fine workmanship and trained hands, while large trees are very heavy and difficult.
4. Visualize the Finished Product While Selecting a Bonsai Tree
There are many factors to consider when choosing a plant or tree for a bonsai nursery. First, you need to select trees that are healthy and have vibrant leaf color. Look at the texture of the tree branch as this will give you different options for designing your tree later as it grows.
You will also need to note if the tree has any visible signs of pests and if its root system is healthy. One way to check if a tree’s root system is healthy is to shake it lightly – if it stays firm, you know it has a healthy root system. If the root system is weak, the tree will feel disjointed in the container.
5. Selecting a Pot for Your Bonsai Tree
Choosing a bowl can sometimes be confusing at best. There are many types and sizes to choose from. Ideally, you will want a pot that is large enough to have enough soil for the roots to grow in. The general rule for choosing the right sized pot is that the height of the oval or rectangular pot should be about two-thirds of the tree’s height. In the case of round pots, it should be a third of the tree’s height.
There is a wide range of choices when it comes to bonsai pots, and choosing the type that suits the shape of your tree is crucial. According to Japanese artists, the bowl should never be the prominent feature, the tree should be the feature that draws attention. But a good pot, whether glazed or unglazed, is still important to the overall appearance of your bonsai.
Colored glass pots work well with deciduous and flowering bonsai, while non-glass pots work well with evergreen varieties.
6. Potting Your Bonsai Tree
You have now chosen the tree type for your first bonsai and have obtained a suitable bonsai pot. Now is the time to return your tree to its bonsai pot. Design and pruning should be done before the tree is planted.
Trees have seasonal life cycles, and only certain times of the year are suitable for replanting trees. I advise you to research the best times in your area to reopen your own tree before doing so. In general, it is best to replant most trees before and during the growing season from early spring to late summer. When in doubt, I recommend this time of year.
Start by removing the tree from its current container and cleaning the roots of old soil. This can be done by gently scraping the soil away from the roots using a cop stick. Start near the trunk, and scrape toward the ends. Root combs also work well for bonsai, but starting with a small stick will be more than enough at first.
Remove all the old soil until you can clearly see the root structure to harvest.
Cut off the taproot and any unnecessary large roots, leaving the feeder roots, which are the best roots for your bonsai tree. If the roots are not pruned regularly, they can easily fall out of the bonsai pot and become root bound, weakening your bonsai.
Before potting your tree, be sure to place container mesh over the drainage holes and wire wire through the holes to hold the tree in place.
Add a layer of soil before planting the tree.
Place the tree in the pot and secure it with wire over the roots, tightening gently as shown below. Make sure to keep the roots moist while planting them. If it dries out, it will die back, and the tree may die as a result.
After securing the roots with wire, start adding soil to the pot. Work the soil between the roots with a chopstick, removing any air pockets below the root base. Fill the pot until all the roots are well covered.
7. Aftercare and maintenance
After replanting your tree, it is important to water it well. Keep the tree out of full sunlight for a few weeks and water it daily. Avoid pruning and shaping until the bonsai shows signs of growth.
Research is your most valuable asset when starting out, and there are thousands of training programs and books to collect research. Thorough research is the difference between a good bonsai and a great bonsai!
