In order to successfully grow a bonsai, anyone needs a few tips and tricks. When it comes to caring for the little complicated trees, some say you either have it in you or you don’t. This is not entirely true as it also comes to taking the time to educate yourself on bonsai tree care. The display is up to the time you invest in learning more about the growing process. Here is some advice on how to get started and also tips for advanced growers. You will need:
1. A light source
What you must first realize is the fact that bonsai trees are made to grown outdoors not indoors. You should always remember yourself that although the bonsai has been growing indoors since the 1990s, they will still remain trees. A good source of light is essential in keeping you bonsai alive. The sun that comes through the window is reflective and thus a fluorescent bulb left above the tree will change things in a significant way. Depending on the species, some bonsai trees require less or more light. So offer your tree the amount of lighting that he needs.
2. Water
Offering the right amount of water to your bonsai might prove itself to be the most challenging thing. Bonsai trees are different then other plants because they don’t require a schedule. There are ways to determine is your plant needs water or not. A plant that requires water will always weight less. Another way is by investigating the soil and check the humidity. If the ground is moist then you don’t need to water your bonsai yet.
3. Air Circulation
Stale air can affect bonsai trees more than it affects humans. Air circulation is thus vital for the wellbeing of your bonsai. On nice days you can move the plant on the patio or you can just keep a window open . If you cannot do so because of the weather, using a fan can also be an option.
4. Fertilize
The plants may become hungry and unlike watering, fertilizing your bonsai can be done on a schedule. Depending on what you use, you can fertilize you bonsai once a week by using water soluble fertilizers. Make sure to follow the instructions.
5. Dormant Period
Always keep in mind that your bonsai is in fact a small tree. Growing in the natural habitat, it receives periods of cold weather when the tree becomes dormant. They usually need at least a six to eight weeks break of low temperatures. To follow this tip you don’t necessarily have to move your bonsai tree outside, you can just move it into a room where the temperatures are lower at a constant rate. If the bonsai does not have a dormant period, it will become stressed and in time it will go dormant when he chooses. Control this factor and don’t let the natural equilibrium of your tree go to waste.
6. Clean
Your bonsai will need to have it’s leaves cleaned unlike other house plants that you might have. Also clean the debris off of the soil as this can affect the tree.
7. Humidity
Because the bonsai is an outdoor plant. It needs humidity to survive. Just as our skin and throat gets dry because of indoor air, so does the bonsai feels if a proper amount of humidity is not offered to him. You can actually do this very easily by placing the bonsai on stones inside a larger pot. Put some water in the pot and thus the bonsai will be surrounded by water, without touching it. This way you will constantly supply the amount of humidity needed and you can turn this around into an esthetic benefit.
8. Diseases and Insects
Like any other trees the bonsai tree can be affected by insects and diseases. Learn how to become familiar with the diseases or insects that might attack you bonsai so you can protect it when it is the case.
9. Talking
Many people say it is important to show affection to your plant and talking could help. Actually, the plant needs carbon dioxide ( as all plants do). The easiest way to offer this to your bonsai tree is by talking to it holding your head quite near the leaves. So if you had a bad day at work and have no one to talk to, just walk up next to your bonsai and tell him all about it.
10. Trimming
The idea of trimming your bonsai is quite simple and easy to do . you just need to cut the leaves that grow weary and don’t allow you to have the view that you want. Select branches that you want to let to flourish and cut the ones that are just occupying space. Depending on the species of bonsai that you have and the growth rate, trimming can be done on a schedule as well.
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