Growing Bonsai Trees – Essential Equipment You Will Need

If you are planning on growing your own bonsai trees then the first thing you need to think about is bonsai tree equipment. A bonsai tree is one of the most difficult things to grow. The right equipment can mean the difference between a healthy and happy tree that you can enjoy or a wilting tree that is near to death. Here is a rundown of some essential equipment that you will need to grow a bonsai tree.

Bonsai Seeds

The bonsai seeds are the most important thing you will need to purchase because without the seeds you will have no bonsai tree. You can buy bonsai seeds from most of the larger gardening stores. You may need to check around to see which stores stock them.

A Bonsai Pot or Container

You are going to need somewhere to plant your bonsai seeds, so of course a bonsai pot or container should be next on your list. There are many different styles of bonsai pots to choose from, but the main thing to think about is the size of the bonsai tree you plan on growing. You should choose a pot that will have plenty of room for the bonsai to grow.

Special Bonsai Tree Soil

When growing a bonsai tree it is essential that you purchase special bonsai soil. If normal soil is used then your bonsai tree may not grow properly because the soil will be unable to retain the right amount of nutrients your bonsai tree needs.

Aluminium Bonsai Wire

Bonsai wire is used to sculpt the shape of your tree. When your bonsai tree begins to grow you can wrap aluminium wire around its branches and trunk to mould it into the shape you want. You should never use a hard wire such as copper as this can damage your tree. When the bonsai tree can hold the shape the wire should be removed.

A pair of Secateurs

A pair of secateurs are used to prune and maintain your bonsai tree. In order to keep the shape of your bonsai tree neat and tidy you are going to need to trim it’s leaves and branches regularly. When purchasing secateurs you should make sure they are sharp, as blunt ones can damage the tree.

Growing Bonsai Trees – Tips and Tricks

When it comes to bonsai trees, there is nothing more rewarding than to grow your very own. It can be a great joy to know that your bonsai tree is something which you have planted, cared for, and sculpted from scratch. If  you have a real passion for bonsai, purchasing ready made plants can get expensive. Growing your own will not only give you a great satisfaction but it can be good for your wallet too.

There are many positive points to be made when it comes to growing your own bonsai tree, so what is stopping so many of us from doing so? One thing that deters many people from growing bonsai trees is the sheer difficulty of it. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get over these difficulties, and get you on your way to growing your very first bonsai tree.

Before you can begin to grow one, you are going to need to know what equipment you need. Bonsai seeds, a sturdy bonsai pot, a special type of soil, and bonsai wire are just a few of the essential tools you are going to need. To find out more about bonsai equipment you can read this article here.

When choosing which type of bonsai tree you want to grow you should take into consideration the climate in which you live in. If you live somewhere warm and dry then choose bonsai tree seeds that are suitable for that climate. Similarly if you live in a cold climate then choose seeds that can be grown in the cold weather.

When your bonsai tree begins to grow you can shape it with special wire and prune it with sharp pair of secateurs. When pruning, you should cut off stay branches right down to the new buds. The natural form of a bonsai tree should like like a miniature version of a normal tree, so it is important that you don’t over prune. Over pruning a bonsai tree can do more harm than good.

3 Different Types of Bonsai Trees

When you think of a bonsai tree what springs to mind? It it a very small oriental looking tree with gnarly roots, and tiny pine like leaves? If so, then you are not alone as many people believe there is only one style of bonsai tree, and they often get stereotypes into this one style. However, in actual fact there are many different styles of bonsai tree that can all be put into five different categories. Read on to find out more about these three different types of bonsai tree.

Evergreen Outdoor Bonsai Trees

As the name suggests an evergreen bonsai tree never sheds it’s leaves in the Winter, and it mainly lives outdoors. You can grow or purchase a large range of evergreen outdoor bonsai trees including a weeping hemlock, boxwood, hinoki cypress and a cryptomeria. In the Winter your bonsai tree will need a safe place to stay away from frost and wind, and it won’t need much water. However in the Summer months it will need watering frequently.

Indoor Bonsai Trees

Unlike the outdoor bonsai tree, the indoor one will thrive best (yes you guessed it) indoors. However, it can also be kept outdoors in the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. You should water your indoor bonsai tree only when it is needed. A good tip is to feel the soil. If it feels dry then your tree needs a drink. Your indoor bonsai should be kept in a place where there is natural light.

Fruiting or Flowering Bonsai Trees

A flowering or fruiting bonsai tree goes against what everyone pictures a bonsai tree to look like. Unlike a normal bonsai tree, this type will grow flowers or bear some kind of fruit. A bonsai tree that grows fruit or flowers will need a lot more natural sunlight and than one that doesn’t. A flowering bonsai tree can make a very pretty gift for the person in your life that likes both plants and the beauty of a flower.

Bonsai Tree Information and Origins

The art of growing and maintaining bonsai trees is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. Many of these people not only think of growing bonsai as gardening, but are serious about it and see it as a form of art to be enjoyed. Growing and looking after your own bonsai trees can be a highly rewarding experience. However, before we get started let’s take a look at what bonsai trees are, and where they came from.

The word “bonsai” which is pronounced “Bonz High” originated from Japan and it means plant in a pot, or potted tree. Although the word “bonsai” originally came from Japan, the first ever bonsai trees were actually grown in China centuries ago. The Chinese grew what you could only describe as dwarf like trees in small trays. It is said that they groomed and sculpted these trees so that they looked like snakes or Chinese dragons.

Later on these small dwarf trees were introduced to Japan, and you would mostly see them in monasteries or religious places. As they became more and more popular, the sight of a bonsai tree in the Japanese homes became almost normal. Later on, different styles of bonsai trees were born, and they were often planted in decorative pots. The Japanese were known to prune the bonsai trees more than the Chinese did, and they became almost ornamental.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that the art of growing bonsai trees was introduced to the rest of the world. People who visited Japan were in awe of the miniature trees and took them back to their own countries to be displayed in exhibitions. From then on the entire world quite literally fell in love with bonsai trees, and this carries on to the present day.

Bonsai Tree Care – Looking After Your Bonsai

There is no denying it, looking after your bonsai tree can be a difficult task. You have searched long and hard for the perfect bonsai tree that will suit your home, you bring it home, and imagine that all it needs is a little water. If this sounds like you, then you couldn’t be further from the truth. You see, a looking after and maintaining a beautiful bonsai tree requires more effort than this in order for it to survive. Here is a little advice that you can use when it comes to looking after your new bonsai tree.

The first thing you will need to know in order to successfully look after your newly acquired bonsai tree is whether it is an evergreen tree or a deciduous one. Why does this matter? I hear you ask. Well, a deciduous bonsai tree will shed it’s leaves in the Winter, and this is perfectly natural. However, if an evergreen starts losing it’s leaves it could be a sign that it’s unhealthy. Therefore, it is worth knowing which type of tree you are purchasing before you leave the shop.

There are lots of different types of bonsai trees and each type will have it’s own certain specifications when it comes to looking after it. But in general a bonsai tree will need lots of natural sunlight, and the best place to keep it is on the windowsill. You should water your bonsai on a regular basis, and never let it dehydrate.

Bonsai trees are not like ordinary house plants where all they need is a little water and sunlight, because they will need pruning regularly too. This is necessary in order for it to not overgrow, and to maintain it’s shape. When pruning your bonsai tree you can snip away any unwanted branches that are growing out of shape.