Bonsai is the specialized Japanese art of planting, shaping, andgrowing trees in a confined and controlled space. Bonsai treesare beautifully styled miniature trees that are fully grown andcultivated in small flower pots.
Although a bonsai tree matures and grows like any other tree,the care taken in styling, pruning, and cultivating a bonsaiallows the bonsai tree to grow to a desired height usually lessthan three feet tall. If you are new to bonsai, this guide willgive you a general overview of some of the aspects you need tobe aware of when caring for a bonsai tree.
Caring for a bonsai tree requires more attention than thetypical indoor or outdoor plant. For starters, most bonsai treesneed a mixture of indoor and outdoor weather. Because a bonsaitree is a tree, it cannot survive long term if kept solelyinside the house. At the same token, because most species ofbonsai trees will die in continued direct sunlight, they can’tbe permanently left outside in an open area.
The key to proper placement of your bonsai is to try andrecreate or mimic the natural environment of how your speciegrows in nature. Does a natural fig tree require only partialsunlight with plenty of shade? If so, your bonsai fig is goingto need to be positioned in a similar style of environment.Don’t worry. There are plenty of resources on each species ofbonsai tree that will give you advice on positioning your bonsai.
Next to proper placement, the most important part of caring foryour bonsai tree is regularly watering your bonsai. This cannotbe stressed enough. Water is the lifeline of a plant. Withoutproper watering, your bonsai will die. Some species of bonsaimay require more water than others. Find out how much water yourparticular bonsai tree will need.
Outside of placement and watering, the last main source of carefor your bonsai tree deals with maintenance. Bonsai treemaintenance consists of styling, pruning, and shaping your tree.Maintenance is the hardest and most rewarding part of caring fora bonsai. With every snip of your shears, you are shaping theway that you bonsai tree is going to grow and be displayed whenit reaches maturity. Bonsai maintenance is an ongoing task forthe life of your bonsai.
Proper placement, watering, and maintenance of your bonsai treeare the three most critical areas of caring for your bonsai.However, watching your bonsai tree grow and blossom into astunning fully matured bonsai is well worth every minute spentin carrying out these tasks.
About the author:Vincent DeLuca is author of Healing Health from Home and ownerof Heavenly Orchards, an “herbal eatery and spice for life”store. Vincent is also an avid gardener and horticulturist. Tolearn more about caring for bonsai trees or to inquire aboutpurchasing a bonsai, go to http://www.bonsai-trees-for-sale.info
