How to Raise Bonsai Trees

While bonsai trees are more delicate than most houseplants, caring for them isn't as tricky as you might think. Give your tree an environment compatible with its needs and where you will see it every day so that you can frequently monitor its condition. Proper watering and fertilization is critical to success.

Things You'll Need

• Fine gravel
• Akadama
• Potting compost
• Seeds or plant
• Watering can with a fine nozzle
• Water-soluble fertilizer
• Bonsai pot
• Bonsai tool kit
• Raffia
• Copper wire
• Pruning paste

Instructions

1. Plant your tree in a bonsai pot in a soil mixture of 1/2 akadama, 1/4 fine gravel and 1/4 potting compost.

2. Place your tree in a location appropriate for the type of tree you have. Generally, most bonsai like indirect sunlight and a consistent temperature, but some prefer dappled light or even some shade.

3. Water your bonsai using a watering can with a fine nozzle. The fine nozzle allows a slow, gentle application of water so as not to erode the soil. Thoroughly soak the soil, allowing water to drain freely. Repeat after 10 minutes.

4. Allow the surface of the soil to get slightly dry to the touch between waterings. Never water according to a strict schedule.

5. Prune your tree is small increments throughout the growing season, using the tools in your bonsai tool kit to refine and maintain the shape of the tree. Prune the outer edges and the top more to encourage growth on the inner part of the tree. Trim off all dead branches and leaves.

6. Gently and cleanly snip shoots through the stem, just above the leaf, using the concave pruning tool in your bonsai tool kit. You can also gently pinch back shoots between your thumb and forefinger. Do not use scissors--this could result in dead foliage and damage the bark.

7. "Style prune" your tree in early spring and late fall by cutting off larger branches to achieve the desired style. Seal the cut with pruning paste so that the cut will heal faster. Place the tree in the shade to recover and fertilize according to label directions.

8. Train branches by coiling copper wire around them and then gently bending them to the desired shape. Start at the inside of the tree on the primary branches, then move on to the secondary branches. Wrap larger branches with raffia before training them. Bend a little at a time and allow the tree to adjust. Branches take two to three months to adapt to their new shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut the training wire to remove it. Do not uncoil it--it could damage the tree.

• Do not make radical changes to the tree's natural shape.

References

• Bonsai Empire

Resources

• Bonsai Empire