Acquiring & Caring For Bonsai
Most bonsai trees sold at garden centers and nurseries are ofexcellent quality, but there are a few points to bear in mindwhen buying a new plant. Age and shape of the tree General health Soil should be damp but notsoggy, unless it has just been watered Leaves shouldlook bright and healthy, not burnt around the edges or spotty If buying a deciduous tree in winter, last year'sgrowth should be smooth and plump, with no sign of barkwrinkling The tree should be steady in its container,which should have at least one drainage hole A whitefungus in and around the drainage hole is natural and harmless
General Care
Purchasing A Tree
When buying a tree from a store during the summer, be sure togive it at least 2 weeks outside, avoiding heavy rain and highwinds before displaying it indoors. If purchasing in winter,however, do not allow it to be exposed to frost for the rest ofthe season, as it will probably have begun to shoot. This ismost important with deciduous trees, and while varieties ofjunipers are very hardy it is as well not to take any chances.
Most bonsai are hardy trees and shrubs whose natural habitat isout in the open. They are not permanent houseplants; and evensemi-tropical trees should be placed outside when weatherpermits. During the summer the plant must be able to carry outthe process of photosynthesis, and during winter it is restingand building up its strength for the coming spring. Too long ina warm room will persuade it that spring has arrived early andit will start budding. If this happens more than once, the treewill simply die of exhaustion.
Sunlight
Sunlight, especially the ultra-violet ray, affects the growth oftrees. Therefore, except in special cases such as immediatelyafter repotting, extensive trimming, etc, bonsai should beplaced in a sunny location. Bright light will also work well butthe tree should not be placed more than 12" away from the directlight source. An east, west or southern exposure works best. Anorthern exposure will require the use of "grow lights" whichshould remain on up to 16 hours each day and the lamp should notbe more than 2 inches from the top of the tree. Incandescentlight is too hot and will not provide the various spectrum oflight that is required to maintain your bonsai tree. If you donot have a window or light source that provides an east, west orsouthern exposure, be sure to select a bonsai tree that doeswell in lower lighting conditions.
Watering
Unlike a houseplant, bonsai trees use a "free draining" type ofsoil because their roots cannot tolerate "wet feet". Inaddition, they are grown in significantly less soil and,therefore require more watering. Factors such as tree location,temperature, lighting conditions, quantity of soil used, and thechanging seasons will determine the frequency of watering. Youcan get to know when your tree needs to be watered by observingthe foliage, testing the soil with your index finger just belowthe surface, or just by the weight of the pot. (The drier thetree, the lighter it will feel.) To take the guesswork out ofwatering, an inexpensive moisture meter which works very muchlike a thermometer comes in handy. Insert it into the soil andthe movement of the needle will tell you if it is time to water.
Rainwater is best for watering plants, but tap water that hasstood for a few hours is adequate. In summer, trees should bewatered in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid themidday heat. This will prevent the leaves of the finer bonsaifrom burning. In winter, water early to permit any excess todrain before the night frost. Plunging the pot into a bowl tosoak is ideal for recently potted trees, small collections andfor trees that have dried out. Be sure to drain properly,however!
Misting
All trees grow in more humid conditions than our homes, officesand dormitories. So what can we do to provide this essentialhumidity ? Misting the tree is only beneficial for a short time,so what we recommend is to place the tree on a humidity tray andadd water to the tray. As the water in the tray evaporates itcreates a humid environment around the tree 24 hours a day. Whenthe water in the tray is gone, add more water. It's a good ideato separate the pot from the water in the tray by adding somepebbles to the bottom of the tray. This will prevent any rootsfrom sitting in the water.
Fertilizing
Because bonsai trees are cultivated in limited amounts of soil,adequate feed is very important. As a general rule, a smallamount of feed is given in the spring and a larger amount in thefall. Feed for bonsai should contain three principleingredients; nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. It is also agood idea to use a fertilizer containing "chelated" iron. Waterbefore fertilizing your tree and then apply at half the strengthrecommended by the brand's manufacturer. Rotate the use ofbrands since different manufacturers add different amounts oftrace elements and minerals. You could also add Superthrive,which is a vitamin supplement to the fertilizer mix. You mayfind it simpler and easier to use slow release fertilizergranules (placed over the soil) whose nutrients are releasedwith each watering.
Repotting
All potted plants will eventually outgrow their containers.While houseplants need to be "potted-up", that is, placed inlarger and larger containers, the miniaturization of a bonsaitrees is maintained by keeping the roots confined to the smallcontainer. On average, repotting will be necessary every 3-5years, but the tree should be removed from its container and itsroot system inspected once a year. If the roots form a circularball around the perimeter of the pot, it is time to trim theroots and repot.
When repotting remember to: Use only bonsai soil Remove air pockets by working the soil down through theroots Do not remove more that 20% of the root system Repot during the appropriate repotting season Water well and keep out of the sun for a week or two
Trimming & Pruning
The main objective of trimming and pruning is to shape thebonsai into the desired form and to reduce growth above groundin order to maintain a balance with root growth.
The process of shaping begins when the tree is very young and ison-going as it continues its growth. Trimming is accomplished byusing a sharp scissors or shears. This traditional tool iscalled butterfly shears or bonsai shears and is used forremoving foliage and light branches. When heavier branches areremoved, we call it pruning and the tool to use is the concavecutter, for which there is no substitute. The concave cutterallows you to remove small, medium and even large brancheswithout leaving any visible scars. Some trees such as theJuniper should be trimmed by using the thumb and index finger toremove new growth and to prevent browning and a "sheared"appearance.
Pests & Diseases
As living trees, bonsai are susceptible to insect attacks anddisease. Preventive and corrective measures include: Keeping your bonsai in good health, since insects and bacteriatend to attack weak trees Giving your tree ample light,fresh air and ventilation Keeping the soil free ofspent blooms and fallen leaves etc. You may also use aninsecticidal soap spray which is not harmful to humans oranimals. This soap derivative, however, may require more thanone application to control the insect population. It's also agood idea to use this spray weekly to prevent any attacks.
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About the author:A national and internation freelance writer since 1985, Sara hasmyriad articles and special editions to her name. Main interestsinclude science & technology, and organic gardening.
