Organic Soil and Fertilization

The proper soil mixtures and fertilizers are essential for healthy bonsai growth. Research shows that the best bonsai soils are soils that have organic matters. Bonsai soil tends to be a loose, quick-draining mix of natural and non-chemically treated soil. The foundation is a mixture of sand or gravel, fired clay pellets, or shale, which is mixed with an organic compound such as peat or bark. Volcanic clay soils are a preferred selection in Japan. Kadama and Kanuma are two popular choices.

Bonsai trees require a fair amount of organic fertilizer. Fertilizer should only be given to the bonsai after watering. Feeding is usually performed once every two weeks during the summer months, and then reduced to once a month for the remainder of year. Organic fertilizers, organic liquid fertilizers are available at many online organic plant stores. You should call your local plant store to see if they have any organic bonsai supplies in stock. Manure and compost are two examples of organic feeds that can used when growing a bonsai tree. It is important to work organic mixtures into the soil.

You use your own compost in your bonsai organic soil mix. To do this, you will require more than one type of compost. According to most bonsai experts, the best organic bonsai soil mix is 40% compost, 30 % seramis clay granule, and 30% grit.

Watering Your Bonsai

With minimal space in a bonsai pot, careful and frequent attention is required to make sure the tree is adequately watered. Sun, heat and wind can dry bonsai trees in a short time which ca result in permanent damage. You need to know the needs of your particular tree because some trees can survive short periods of dry spells, while others need constant moisture. Deciduous trees are more susceptible to dehydration. Evergreens can appear to handle periods of dry conditions better, but do not display any signs of damage until it is has occurred. One indication of damage is that the leaves will start wilting.

The process of watering is different than how you would normally water regular houseplant. Bonsai trees require submersion of the whole pot in water for several minutes. Once you remove the pot, allow the bonsai to drain. Too much watering can result in root rot and fungal infestations. Free draining soil prevents water-logging. To maintain proper soil, provide water in small amounts frequently because there is a flushing effect when the water is added. Bonsai plants are repotted regularly during their development. This encourages new feeder root growth so that the tree will be able to absorb moisture better. When they mature, they are repotted less often.

Young bonsai, known as potensai, are placed in ‘growing boxes.’ The large boxes permit the roots to grow which allows for food and water consumption as well as adding life to the tree. When the bonsai has outgrown the ‘growing box,’ it is then replanted in a ‘training box.’ This box is smaller allowing for a denser root mass. This makes reorganicplanting the bonsai in its final pot much easier.

Growing bonsai trees can be a very peaceful and spiritual experience. With the right care and trimming techniques, you can grow a beautiful living piece of art.

Organic gardening guide features tips and solutions to common garden issues – Redenta’s is committed to a natural and sustainable approach to organic gardening and organic gardening supplies

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So here are my top 5 tips for bonsai beginners.

1. Don’t be put off by information overload. In the world of bonsai lack of information is not the problem! If you put the word ‘bonsai’ in an internet search engine you will get millions of results. The sites cover everything – bonsai trees and kit for sale, information about different bonsai techniques, styles and species, ‘how to’ videos, myriad bonsai organisations and clubs. And the list goes on and on …. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by all this information and to give up before you get a chance to start. To me this is one of the downsides of the internet. Sure it’s a great resource but as a beginner what you need is some help to direct you to the appropriate reliable information. That leads me on to the next tip.

2. Find a more knowledgeable person to help you. If you can identify one or two bonsai enthusiasts in your area you will find that such people are usually very happy to help. You can then ask as many questions as you like and view their bonsai trees. Find out what trees grow well in your climate and how much time is required to look after them. If you can’t find some help locally then you can tap into the knowledge available via the internet. Amongst all the bonsai information, there are many helpful forums where people are very willing to answer your questions and give advice. Since some forums are better than others it’s always a good idea to get a recommendation.

3. Build up your bonsai collection, your toolkit and your knowledge gradually. As already mentioned there is a huge choice of bonsai trees, tool kits and information available. Don’t try and learn everything or acquire an extensive bonsai collection with every possible tool in 6 months. That would be a daunting challenge and very damaging financially! Instead go for the gradual approach – acquire or buy one or two or three trees. Perhaps one fairly mature bonsai and a couple of specimens at an earlier stage of growth so that you can fashion their development. Start with a basic toolkit. Read and acquire information on a ‘little and often’ basis.

4. Practice, practice, practice …. No amount of theory can compare with the hands on experience of working on bonsai trees. It is by ‘doing’ that you will learn to grow and style bonsai in your particular environment. Once you have enough basic information and tools to get started don’t be afraid to get going – and to make mistakes. That happens to everyone and it is the best way to learn. Many bonsai clubs organise workshops and demonstrations and you can often get ‘hands on’ experience there.

5. Don’t ‘over fuss’ your bonsai. For the novice with one bonsai tree there is a huge temptation to give it too much attention. You will need to check its moisture requirements regularly but it doesn’t need to be pruned every time a new leaf appears. There are times when bonsai trees need to be allowed periods of growth to develop properly. That is why it is often a good idea for those new to bonsai to have more than one tree so that the risk of giving too much attention to one bonsai is reduced.

If you take on board these 5 tips you will quickly move on from being a ‘bonsai beginner’ to being a more proficient and informed bonsai enthusiast. But the great joy of bonsai is that there is always something new to learn and discover. Enjoy!

Ruth Morgan is a bonsai enthusiast and the author of Beautiful Bonsai Secrets – a step-by-step guide to growing and developing beautiful bonsai trees. To claim your free preview of Beautiful Bonsai Secrets go to http://beautifulbonsaisecrets.com today.

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When you start out you will have lots of questions. As you gain experience you may acquire more bonsai trees and will need to learn about how to care for different species.

So the student of bonsai is always learning!

Here are 10 things that you should consider when caring for bonsai trees.

1. Watering. This is the single most important factor in maintaining healthy, thriving bonsai trees. Due to the porous nature of bonsai soil it cannot retain moisture and so needs regular watering. Lack of water can cause the tree to die. Test the soil daily during the growing season and water as required. In winter, outdoor bonsai require less frequent watering but still need to be checked.

2. Feeding. Bonsai trees require a regular supply of nutrients in the growing season. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are three key elements that are applied at different ratios at different times of the year. For example, in the autumn you do not want to encourage growth by adding nitrogen and so a nitrogen free fertiliser is used.

3. Species. Different species have different care requirements and you should find out as much as possible about your particular species. There are many reference books and online resources that will help you.

4. Time of year. Trees require more care in the growing season than the dormant season. Some species e.g. tropical trees that are often grown indoors require constant care throughout the year. Some outdoor bonsai may require protection from heavy rainfall or extreme cold during the winter.

5. Location. Some trees prefer sun whilst others prefer shade. Species such as Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) require protection from strong wind. Indoor bonsai need plenty of light.

6. Temperature. Tropical trees e.g. Ficus (fig) thrive in hot conditions whereas hardy varieties need a dormant period in cold conditions every year.

7. Pests and diseases. These affect bonsai trees just like other plants but can be treated using traditional organic or inorganic treatments. But prevention is better than cure! Adopt good horticultural practice to minimise the risk of diseases.

8. Repotting. This needs to be carried out on a regular basis. The frequency will depend on the species and the stage of development. In order to ensure that the tree remains healthy the roots need to be pruned when the tree is repotted. The amount of pruning required will be influenced by various factors but a general guideline would be to remove about a third of the root mass.

9. Pruning / wiring. These techniques enable bonsai trees to be styled to the desired style and size. Bonsai trees are not special dwarf varieties – they remain small because they are pruned regularly. After wiring check the tree regularly to avoid damaging the bark.

10. Soil. Bonsai trees are totally dependent on their roots within a confined pot to provide all the moisture and nutrients they need to thrive. The soil is therefore very important and needs to be porous and free draining. Ordinary compost is not suitable. It is possible to buy ready made bonsai soil or to make your own.

If you consider these 10 things when caring for your bonsai trees you will be well on the road to growing healthy, thriving bonsai trees.

Ruth Morgan is the author of Beautiful Bonsai Secrets – a step-by-step guide to growing and developing beautiful bonsai trees. If you would like more information you can get your free chapter of Beautiful Bonsai Secrets by going to http://beautifulbonsaisecrets.com today.

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You may want to devote one little corner to the bonsai tree and have this whole oriental decor and look going. You will also find that there is a lot of things that you can do with the bonsai tree itself. You will find that there are many kits that you can put together and you will also want to take the time to find a place in the house that suites the whole family well. A lot of people will put the bonsai tree on the table so that the whole family can have something nice to look at. You will also find that the kitchen or bathroom will be a great place because when you come home you will need a place to stop and sit back and relax. You will find that there are a lot of things that you can do to enhance the beauty of your home or a gloomy room or office is getting a plant. The best type of plant that you will want to have in the home or office is the bonsai tree because it is so unique.

You will find that this type of small plant is unique because you can make it your own. You don’t have to have a bonsai tree that looks like that of the neighbor down the road, but you can have a plant that is truly unique in style and is a great way to learn how to devote some time into a hobby. The bonsai plant is very unique and you’ll find it relaxing to take care of the plant and you’ll always want to show off the this plant to the many friends and clients that come in and out of your home or office.

There are lots of people who will use their bonsai tree as part of the bonsai decor. You will want to make sure that you think about the way that you can incorporate the bonsai tree into your decor. You will want to make sure that you look at the bonsai tree as a different way to decorate. You will want to keep in mind that the decor of the home can be more than just the normal greenery and flowers, but you can do so much to make the decor of your home blend into something wonderful and fantastic. You will be able to incorporate the basic bonsai decor into any room and still be comfortable.

When it comes to the bonsai decor, you will need to think about ways that you can incorporate the Japanese culture into your home. You will want to keep in mind that there are a lot of things that you can do to make the home look good, but also allow the bonsai trees to flow into the decor of the room.

Who else wants to discover the step by step secrets the bonsai masters use to create stunning bonsai trees – with very little work? Find out here at http://www.palalu.com/bonsai/

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On its arrival in the western world, the art of bonsai has been warmly welcomed and embraced as a rewarding past time or hobby. It is said to allow a greater understanding and being with nature in addition to enhancing our gardens.

The five basic bonsai styles are formal upright, informal upright, slanting (or windswept), semi-cascade and cascade. All have their own individual beauty and serenity.

A tree with a style such as formal upright occurs when it has grown in the open under perfect conditions. The most important requirement for this style is that the trunk should be perfectly straight, tapering naturally and evenly from base to apex. The branches should be symmetrically spaced so that they are balanced when viewed from any direction. It is quite a demanding style to achieve. Junipers, pines, and spruces are great to try and grow in the formal upright style.

In an informal upright bonsai the trunk should slightly bend to the right or left – but never towards the viewer. This applies to all types of bonsai. Neither the trunk nor branches should be pointing towards the viewer when the bonsai is viewed from the front. For this style, try a Japanese maple, Trident maple, or almost any conifer and ornamental tree.

Trees that slant naturally occur as a result of buff setting winds or deep shade during early development. Whether curved or straight, the whole trunk leans at a definite angle. The stronger roots grow out on the side, away from the angle of the trunk lean, to support the weight. Almost any type of tree will work well with this style.

The growing tip of a cascade bonsai reaches below the base of a container. The trunk has a natural taper and gives the impression of the forces of nature pulling against the forces of gravity. Branches appear to be seeking the light. The winding main trunk is reminiscent of a stream meandering down the side of a mountain. There are many types of trees that can be used to achieve a cascading bonsai. The key here is to make sure the tree isn’t naturally straight and upright.

The tip of a semi-cascade, like the cascade, projects over the rim of the container, but does not drop below its base. The style occurs in nature when trees grow on cliffs or overhang water. The angle of the trunk in this bonsai is not precise, as long as the effect is strongly horizontal, even if the plant grows well below the level of the pot rim. Any exposed roots should balance the trunk. Flowering cherry trees, cedars, and junipers work very well in this style of bonsai. Many people feel this style of bonsai is the epitome of beauty in the art.

It is important for you to remember, as a beginner, that no single bonsai style is the "right" style. More than anything else you should not try to train a bonsai to grow in a style it is not accustomed to. Study the natural growth patterns of the tree you are going to grow and enhance on the pattern nature gave it.

Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://bonsaitree.infobay.ws/ He is an internet entrepreneur who helps the average user better understand the workings of internet in addition to providing high quality content on selected topics

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For those who would like to learn how to make a bonsai tree there are many questions. But take heart, with the right guidance it is possible to acquire all the skills and knowledge necessary to grow beautiful bonsai trees.

There is nothing magical about the techniques needed to grow a bonsai tree – they are similar to those used in general horticulture.  Here are 6 methods to acquire a bonsai tree.

1. Buy a ready-made bonsai. Many stores sell what they describe as ‘bonsai trees’ but you should think twice before buying from a supermarket or garage. These are often not bonsai trees at all. If you want a good specimen you should go to a specialist nursery. These bonsai trees will have taken years to grow and may have been transported some distance. This will be reflected in the price but if money is not a constraint it will be a good investment.

2. Buy garden centre stock. There is a huge choice of deciduous and coniferous trees available at reasonable prices. Before you buy you should check out the following. Make sure that the tree is healthy and that it has good potential for a bonsai – examine the surface roots, trunk and branches. For the impatient types it is possible to transform garden stock to the beginnings of a bonsai in a few hours!

3. Grow from cuttings. This method has the advantage that the tree will look exactly like the parent plant. The right time to take cuttings will depend on the nature of the cutting (softwood, hardwood or root) and you should ensure that cuttings are taken in the right season.

4. Grow from seed. This method requires patience – some seeds e.g. hawthorn can take 2 years to germinate! And after germination it will take a long time before the tree is ready to be styled as a bonsai.

5. Collect from the wild. Trees collected from the wild are called yamadori. You need to ensure that you have the permission of the landowner before you take this approach but remember that in some areas e.g. national parks it can be against the law to collect trees.  Once collected, trees will need to be left for some time before starting as bonsai.

6. Air layering. This is a more advanced technique and requires some skill so may not be ideal for those starting out in bonsai. Air layering is a relatively quick method of growing a bonsai tree as you can use a mature branch as a basis for the new tree. Some of the bark is cut away and covered in sphagnum moss to encourage the growth of roots. Once these are established the branch is cut away and then forms the trunk of a new bonsai tree.

So these are 6 methods to make a bonsai tree. Decide which one you want to use and then have a go!

Ruth Morgan is the author of Beautiful Bonsai Secrets – a step by step guide to growing and developing beautiful bonsai trees. For more information about growing bonsai trees get your free chapter of Beautiful Bonsai Secrets by going to http://beautifulbonsaisecrets.com today.

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Although it is not necessary to buy a special tool stock for growing your own Bonsai, you will need some basic tools to ensure it is done correctly. As your interest in growing Bonsai grows, so will your collection of Bonsai tools. This, however, will progress naturally so you don’t have to worry about purchasing every possible tool you may need all at once.

When choosing your tools, keep in mind that crafting beautiful Bonsai is both a science and an art. The tools you purchase will serve to help you mold your Bonsai to fit your particular vision. Over the years, a multitude of tools have been produced specifically for growing Bonsai. A majority of these tools can be purchased via the Internet, so you should have no trouble finding them. You can also buy them at your local nursery or gardening center.

Many Bonsai tools are designed with specific functions in mind. Those you need will depend on exactly what you wish to do. Once you have become more comfortable with shaping, training and pruning your trees, you may want to consider adding tools to your collection that perform more specific tasks. The tools you need will depend on the type of Bonsai work you plan to do. For example, it takes fewer tools to prune and repot an existing Bonsai tree than it would to create a Bonsai tree from a trunk harvested from another plant.

Bonsai tools are often sold separately, but starter kits do exist that will include what you’ll need to begin the Bonsai growing process. Keep in mind you do get what you pay for, so don’t be afraid to make a worthwhile investment by selecting tools that are a bit more expensive than others as they will last a long time.

A beginner’s kit will usually include the following items: Bonsai wire cutters, Bonsai trimming shears, a concave branch cutter, a Spherical Knob Cutter, bug trimming shears and a root hook. Beginning your new hobby with the right tools will not only make the process easier, but will also make it more enjoyable all around.

Discover how to grow Bonsais with Bonsai hints, tips and techniques. Get your free helpful report here today: http://www.beautifulbonsaisecrets.com

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Indoor Bonsai Care is Often Necessary

For successful indoor bonsai care, they will need to live in an environment similar to their origins. This means that plants from the tropics or subtropics will probably not survive outside during the harsh and freezing winter months. It is imperative to be fully aware of the plants’ needs prior to bringing them inside your home or office. Following are some critical tips for optimal indoor Bonsai care.

It is necessary to mimic the sunlight these trees are used to when they are outside. This can be accomplished by providing natural and artificial lighting. Although all plants need some amount of sunlight, there are some trees that do not require very much light. Consequently, you need to know just what variety of plant you have to work with. To get some light, bonsai can be placed near a window; but, this is not going to be the complete answer, because this may not yield enough light for some varieties of bonsai. As an alternative or supplement, lighting that comes from fluorescent lamps can provide adequate indoor bonsai care for at least twelve hours a day.

Species which are miniaturized into bonsai and come from colder regions will require more indoor bonsai care than tropical species that do not need as much care. Because tropical forms of vegetation are used to humid temperatures, they can usually live with our house temperatures, even in the colder months. However, to thrive successfully, tropical bonsai trees will need a humid environment.

For the best indoor Bonsai care, you should not place a tropical bonsai tree near a window during a cold night, even if the window remains shut. Moreover, in the winter months, you should keep the bonsai away from radiators or heating vents and continually mist the leaves to produce the effect of humidity. It is also a good idea to place the bonsai container on a water-filled tray with small pebbles. The pebbles will protect the bonsai from getting wet and the water will evaporate through the branches, yielding much-needed humidity.

For even the most caring bonsai hobbyist indoor bonsai care can become tiresome, since the bonsai does best if it is taken outside when the weather is good. Due to business events and work schedules, some bonsai hobbyists may simply forget to tend their trees properly. These plants are not normally supposed to live indoors; but, if doing so is a must for their survival, then good indoor bonsai care can be accomplished by following the aforementioned tips.

Herb Daniels is an amateur gardener living on the East Coast of Florida puttering around in his garden as time and weather allows. Herb has a web site where he posts a few articles and other information about Indoor Bonsai Care

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Like all plants bonsai require soil, water and light. The trick in providing the proper care of bonsai tree is ensuring they get just the right amount of these crucial elements. While it’s not difficult it does require a little specialist knowledge and without the proper application of that knowledge your bonsai will probably very quickly die.

Many beginners to the care of bonsai trees make the mistake of thinking a bonsai is a pot plant and therefore treat it in the same manner they would an indoor plant. Despite the fact your bonsai is potted, it is not, in any true sense of the word, a pot plant. It is a miniaturized tree and as such thrives best in the same conditions as a normal tree of the same variety. Most bonsai therefore prefer to be outdoors, however it does depend on where you live and what kind of climate your tree is suited to.

In order to provide the best care of bonsai trees you need to do some research to determine the conditions that best suit your particular variety of tree. If you live in an area where it snows during winter, leaving a tree outside is fine, and probably best, if your tree has been adapted by nature to those conditions [such as a fir or juniper]. You may find your bonsai prefers to be outdoors in winter, rather than cosseted inside. However if your bonsai is a more tropical plant, such as a bougainvillea, leaving it outside in even a mild frost could prove fatal. Check exactly what conditions are native to your particular tree and find a position which produces the closest match.

Watering:

Correct watering is also vital to ensuring your tree stays alive. Bonsai trees have very little root systems and therefore require frequent watering. You may not need to water every day, but you should make a daily check of the moisture content of the soil in your bonsai pot. If the soil gets too dry your tree will begin to lose leaves and, if left completely dry for several days, it will quickly begin to die. Conversely, if the soil is constantly kept too damp it can lead to root rot which can also kill your tree.

A simple technique to keep a check on the amount of moisture in your pot is to poke the soil with a small implement such as a toothpoick. It may be dry on the surface of the pot but still contain moisture around the roots. You may find you need to water your tree several times a day during a hot summer but leave it without for days, weeks or possibly even months during the winter.

It is also a good idea to occasionally ensure the roots get a good soaking by popping the bonsai pot in a tray of water. Do not, however leave it in too long and also ensure your pot has plenty of drainage holes to allow excess water to run out.

Finding the right balance can be a matter of trial and error but one handy little trick is to get used to judging the weight of your tree, pot and soil. About one quarter of the weight should be water, so if your pot is feeling lighter than normal it is probably time to give it a drink.

Soil:

You can use any good quality potting soil for your bonsai, though it must be free draining. However some garden centers and specialist shops sell special soil mixes to provide extra specical care of bonsai trees. These mixtures are generally freer draining than general potting mix and contain less fertilizer to fuel plant growth. The soil in your pot will need to be changed at least every two years, and is generally done when you repot the tree.

Light:

Your bonsai should be kept out of direct sunlight, particularly harsh afternoon light. But again, each variety of tree prefers slightly different conditions and you should try to emulate its natural habitat as much as possible. Because plants naturally grow towards the light, it is a good idea to turn your plant regularly so that all sides get an equal amount.

As I stated at the beginning, there is nothing particularly difficult about the care of bonsai trees but, like a newborn baby, they need constant and tender attention. It can be very costly learning through your mistakes. It’s much simpler, and cheaper, to arm yourself with a little knowledge first.

To save yourself money and heartache with your care of bonsai trees, have a look here: http://www.bonsai-trees-care.com

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Mildew is a white mould forming on the foliage. It extracts the sap from the tree. It then spores over winter and emerges with the buds and foliage in the spring.

Rusts are another fungal disease that causes raised brown and or orange areas on the underside of leaves. This is especially found in Birch or Beech variatals.

Black Spot is a cluster of black spots on the surface of the leaves which results in the foliage turning yellow and then dropping off. This type of fungi is commonly found on Chinese Elms.

You need to be aware with your care of bonsai trees, that there are three main ways to treat fungi so it is best to think about what you are trying to achieve and match that up with the appropriate type of fungicide before you treat your tree.

1. PROTECTANT is a fungicide that will shield healthy tissue from invasion.

2. ERADICANT will kill fungi that have already invaded the plant.

3. SYSTEMIC fungicide spreads within the plant and can protect areas that have not been directly affected by the fungi.

The following is a list of chemicals that appear to work best on fungal infections:

Mildew: Triadimefon

Rust: Chlorothalonil, Mancozeb, Propiconazole

Black Spot: as per the others above and Benomyl

When trying out fungal treatment, it is best that you do not treat the entire area until you gauge how that particular fungicide affects your tree. Just start by treating a small piece of the tree and see how it responds before going over the whole plant.

Fungus is spread via water and thrives in warm wet conditions. Before you water your tree, check to see if there is any fungus. If you see that there is, it is best that you do not spray too much water onto the foliage as the water helps the spores to travel. Also consider that during long periods of warm rainy weather it is best to shelter your tree from the rain for a while so to give it a spell from those warm, wet conditions.

As is always the case, prevention is better than the cure and this holds true with the care of bonsai trees. You can assist your tree to ward off infections by keeping your tree healthy and seeing that it is fed and watered adequately, given plenty of fresh air and sunshine, kept dust and debris free and not placed under any unnecessary stress.

In addition to all your regular care of bonsai trees, stay on the lookout for fungi and get rid of them quickly so that your tree will continue to thrive in good health.

To find out everything you need to know about the care of bonsai trees, you can do so here: http://www.bonsai-trees-care.com

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