How to Prune Bonsais

Bonsais make charming houseplants and are easy to care for.

"Bonsai," a term that encompasses a large array of miniature trees or small plants shaped as a tree, has been viewed as an art form by many people. Pruning a bonsai tree is important to maintain its delicate shape and appearance, especially if the particular bonsai is not actually a miniature tree. Pruning bonsais also helps stimulate the tree's growth, and allows it to produce new shoots by removing the old ones.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Alcohol
• Water

Instructions

1. Determine what time is best to prune your bonsai by the exact species it is. Some types of trees and plants respond well to pruning at any time, while others have a hard time adjusting to pruning or incorrect pruning, so it is important to figure out the exact times or seasons are appropriate for pruning your bonsai.

2. Use sharp pruning shears that have been sterilized. Sterilize your shears by cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. Rinse them clean in fresh water. This will prevent bacteria from infecting the wounds left behind by pruning.

3. Remove damaged or dead leaves and twigs from your bonsai by snipping them off at their base with the pruning shears.

4. Remove damaged or dead branches by snipping them just outside of the base of the bonsai trunk. Leave a small stub behind to avoid damaging the trunk itself.

5. Prune the ends of branches or twigs that have overgrown, down to the length of the others, to improve the general shape and appearance of the bonsai.

References

• Bonsai Gardener: How To Prune a Bonsai Tree
• Bonsai Site: Pruning Bonsai