How to Maintain a Bonsai Plant

Bonsai plants, or Bonsai trees, are miniature trees which have been kept small by planting them in special containers or pots. The term “bonsai” literally translates as “potted plant.” Bonsai trees or plants can be created from nearly any perennial tree or shrub, with popular choices including Juniper, Cypress, and Spruce.

The art of caring for bonsai trees and plants has been practiced in Japan for centuries, and is thought to encourage inner peace, creativity, and appreciation for beauty. Below are some techniques to help you maintain your bonsai plant or tree with love and success.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. WATERING YOUR BONSAI.
   
   Like all plants and trees, Bonsai need water. How much water to use depends a lot of the type of bonsai you are planting, so you will need to consider this. Deciduous trees have a greater risk of dehydration, and generally need more water.
   
   It is important not to over water your plant, or it may become prone to mold or root rot, both of which can kill your plant. You want the soil to be slightly damp, in most cases, but never soggy.
   
   The best way to avoid problems is to have free draining soil (allowing water to escape from the bottom of the pot so that it doesn't become waterlogged).

2. REPOTTING BONSAI PLANTS.
   
   When young, bonsai need to be repotted frequently. This is so that they continue to form new roots and absorb water efficiently, keeping them healthy and green. The need for repotting becomes less frequent as the tree ages. Repotting is generally done in the spring for deciduous trees, while they are in their dormant stage.
   
   Some caretakers like to use growing boxes when trees are young, since these allow greater root expansion and more hardy trees. Such trees are then moved to a training box to compact the roots, before being moved to a bonsai pot at a later point. This decision will depend on your resources, experience, and goals.

3. PICKING THE RIGHT SOIL.
   
   As mentioned above, the ideal is to have free draining soil, which allows excess moisture to escape from the bottom of the pot.
   
   The type of fertilization varies, but soil is generally a mixture of sand, gravel, peat, and bark. In Japan, volcanic clay (in the form of small pellets) is also common. There is ongoing debate over the use of organic vs. chemical fertilizers, so it comes down to personal choice.
   
   In general, the best rule of thumb is to add small amounts of fertilizer regularly during the growing season. This is particularly true if you water your bonsai frequently.

4. TEMPERATURE CONTROL.
   
   Bonsai plants come in both outdoor and indoor varieties. This is very important to note, since outdoor plants will fail to thrive inside the artificial environment of most homes, while indoor plants need protection from harsh outdoor elements.
   
   You will have to research the hardiness of the variety you are caring for, along with its origins. Simply put, if the tree or shrub is indigenous to the area in which you live, it will do better and require less care on your part.
   
   Many traditional bonsai plants do best at moderate temperatures, with regular sunlight exposure and humidity. These may not thrive indoors. Bonsai plants from tropical or Mediterranean climates do better indoors, and need to be protected from frost.

5. 
   A set of bonsai tools, from left to right: leaf trimmer; rake with spatula; root hook; coir brush; concave cutter; knob cutter; wire cutter; shears (3 sizes). Image by Ragesoss, under GNU license

   PRUNE YOUR BONSAI.
   
   Pruning is important, but must be done carefully, as too much pruning can kill the bonsai plant. Typically, bonsai plants receive less pruning as they age. The top part of the tree's trunk can sometimes be removed to make the tree more compact. Branches may also be removed and shortened, in order to fit with the plans of the designer. This is commonly done with a concave or knob cutter.

6. TRIM BONSAI LEAVES.
   
   A leaf trimmer may be used to remove leaves and needles, particularly below the pads. This is to be done frequently to maintain the tree's shape.

7. WIRE BONSAI BRANCHES.
   
   For many species of bonsai, wrapping copper or aluminum wires around branches and trunks can allow the caretaker to sculpt the form of the tree. This is most commonly done on young branches and shoots, as it holds them in place until they turn into mature wood. This is usually left in place for one growing season (rough 6 to 9 months).
   
   Trees with stiffer wood may be clamped instead of using wire. These clamps are tightened slowly over time, kind of like braces on teeth, in order to avoid damage to the wood.

8. USE THE JIN & SHARI TECHNIQUE.
   
   If you'd like to simulate age in a bonsai tree or plant, you might want to consider the deadwood techniques, which give the appearance of aged snag of deadwood. Essentially, this involves stripping bark from some areas to give the impression of broken limbs and even lightening strikes. You can then use tools to scar the wood and increase the grain. Some even use lime sulphur or other chemicals to bleach and expose the deadwood.

9. SPECIAL TECHNIQUES.
   
   Depending on the type of bonsai you are caring for, other processes like grafting and defoliation may be appropriate. These can actually harm trees if done incorrectly, or if done on the wrong variety of bonsai plant, which is why they have not been included in this article.
   
   The best advice is to research the specific type of plant of shrub you are potting, in order to find out specific techniques most effective for that variety.

10. ENJOY YOUR BONSAI PLANT.
    
    This is the most important step! Bonsai is an art form, meant to be a growing experience for the person caring for the bonsai plant. If you get pleasure out of bonsai, then in many ways you are already doing it correctly.

[sonni57]

on 7/14/2009 It looks like work maintaining the bonsai they are beautiful though so they're worth it.