How to Grow a Mini Tree

Keep mini bonsai in your home or office as a symbol of peace and tranquility.

Mini bonsai trees are about as small as trees get. While regular bonsai are about 19 to 48 inches tall, the mini version (also called Shohin-Bonsai or Mame-Bonsai) is 2 to 10 inches tall. They make a great addition to a home or office because they can be put basically anywhere. You can buy a mini bonsai tree and the accessories, or get a kit that includes everything you need. The kit comes with a small container, peat pellet, copper wire, scissors, pebbles, a young tree or seeds.

Things You'll Need

• Container with drainage holes
• Water
• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Grow mini bonsai trees in a spot that gets filtered light or shade. When it is warm, you can expose them to sun for about three to six hours to improve flower and fruit production.

2. Position the tree somewhere with good ventilation. Air flow is important to ward off disease. Do not put the mini bonsai in the path of a heater, drafty window or air conditioner.

3. Water mini bonsai everyday. The soil dries quickly because of the small size of the plant pot. Insert a finger in the soil mix and water until it is moist to the touch. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom so the soil doesn't remain soggy.

4. Fertilize your plant about every two weeks. Use a commercial liquid fertilizer or slow-release organic blend. This will replace lost nutrients in the soil.

5. Trim the tree regularly to retain its shape and size. Take the plant out of the pot. Wash the roots to remove soil and debris. Trim the branches to 1/3 their original size. Put the plant back in its container. Keep up with trimming new growth as it appears.

6. Give the mini tree a resting period. The leaves turn from green to yellow, then orange or red in the fall. They fall off in late fall as the tree enters its dormant stage. Do not keep it in the window and try to force it to grow. As spring approaches, put it back in a sunnier location.

Tips & Warnings

• Occasionally let your mini bonsai grow uninterrupted for four to six months (without pruning). This will help it grow and develop well.

• Beware that diseases are common in bonsai mini trees. Look for orange or brown-shaded patches, which could indicate rust problems caused by too much potassium.

References

• Bonsai Gardener: Mini Bonsai Tree
• Gardening Tips Idea: Mini Bonsai Tree
• Washington State University: Bonsai
• Bonsai Tree Growing: About Bonsai Mini Tree: Beautiful Miniature Trees
• Bonsai Tree Growing: Bonsai Tree Trimming - The Proper Techniques to Trim Bonsai Trees