Bonsai Caring & Styling Tips
What is a Bonsai?
The ancient art of bonsai, literally translated as "planted in a container," has been practiced for well over a thousand years to create realistic interpretations of natural trees in miniature form. It is a Japanese art form but also has roots in China and Korea.
Bonsai trees are not dwarfed via genetic mutation and should not be confused with dwarfed plants. These trees are trained to be smaller by growing them in containers, pruning, and wiring their branches.
Image credit: http://quaintrellelife.blogspot.in/2013/05/tiny-tree-take-out.html
Growing a bonsai from scratch takes years of practice and is very difficult, so beginners are encouraged to start with an already planted bonsai which you can buy here. This helps you learn how to care for a bonsai first before attempting advanced styling.
Styling a Bonsai
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Pruning
Pruning involves removing branches, buds, or leaves to maintain or shape the bonsai. There are two types:
- Maintenance pruning: Keeps the existing shape neat.
- Structural pruning: Establishes the basic style and silhouette.
Use concave cutters or twig shears. Don’t be afraid to prune—like hair, bonsai needs regular trimming. Seal large cuts with wound paste to prevent infection.
Wiring
Wiring repositions branches using anodized aluminium (ideal for beginners) or annealed copper wire. Wrap wire from trunk base to branch tip, firm but not restrictive. Use single wiring for individual branches or double wiring for two branches of similar thickness.
Image credit: https://taigabonzai.com/2016/03/
Bonsai Care
Watering
- Water when soil feels slightly dry (check 1 cm deep).
- Avoid routine watering—observe each tree individually.
Fertilizers
- Fertilize during the growing season (spring to autumn).
- Indoor bonsai can be fertilized year-round.
- Use high-nitrogen fertilizer in spring (NPK 10:6:6), balanced in summer (NPK 6:6:6), and low-nitrogen in autumn (NPK 3:6:6).
Repotting
- Fast-growing bonsai trees need repotting every 1–2 years, while older, more mature trees usually require it every 3–5 years.
- Check roots in early spring by carefully removing the tree from its pot. Repot if the roots begin circling around the root ball. If roots are still contained in soil, wait another year before checking again.
- Repotting is best done in early spring when the tree is still dormant.
- Choose shallow pots (no more than ⅔ the height of the tree) with drainage holes. Deep pots encourage root spread and larger growth, which goes against bonsai principles.
- Soil mix : Use red garden soil, river sand, and organic compost in a 2:1:1 ratio. Add brick pieces or gravel for extra drainage. Increase compost if you cannot water regularly, or add more sand if you need faster drainage.
Location
- Outdoor bonsai: bright spot, half-day sunlight, sheltered from wind.
- Indoor bonsai: south-facing window, consistent temperature.
Start Your Bonsai Journey
Want to start your own collection of Bonsai trees? You can buy them online from here.
