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Bonsai Care

An Introduction

Be sure your bonsai care instructions are specific to your tree. Since these small trees are created from many different kinds of plants, they often require different cultivation. To properly care for your bonsai, it is important to know what type (species) of plant you have. It is much easier to find help, when you know.

Whether you buy your tree from a nursery, garden center, plant shop or a bonsai artist ... always ask for the scientific name and care information.

Bonsai Pots Do Not Create Magic!

Once you know what kind of plant you have, find out what that particular plant likes. Sun? Shade? Lots of water? Little water? Azalea bonsai, bonsai tree pictures

The basics of growing a bonsai are no different than growing any container plant.

Remember bonsai is two part - art and horticulture.

Shaping and styling is the art part; keeping them alive is horticulture.

Growing a plant in a bonsai pot is no different than growing it in a clay or ceramic pot of equal size.

Azalea - Bonsai West, Littleton, MA

Some questions to ask about your bonsai tree care:

  • How much water, light and fertilizer does my bonsai tree need?
  • What kinds of pests and diseases is it susceptible to?
  • How do I maintain the shape?
  • Will it tolerate winter outdoors?
  • Can I grow it indoors all year?

If you start with a green thumb, you have a distinct advantage. If you are a plant killer, you have a lot of work to do.

Sometimes the best lessons are learned from experience. Hopefully, you can learn from other people's bonsai care experience!

Start with an inexpensive bonsai, ask lots of questions and do your best to follow the instructions you receive.

Watering Your Bonsai

Watering is considered one of the most misunderstood aspects of any plant care. Bonsai care is no exception, and it's no wonder.

General directions such as water your bonsai every day, or every three days or even once a week are not adequate and confuse the issue even more!

See more about this on the Watering Bonsai page.

Plant Pests

What's eating your bonsai trees? Giraffe photograph, giraffe head, plant pests, giraffe picture All plants are susceptible to pests; however, healthy plants have fewer problems.

Each species has its own set of potential pests. Bonsai care includes watching out for them. Although they are plant eaters ... it's unlikely giraffes will be your problem.

Having bonsai indoors does not protect them, sometimes quite the opposite.

To learn more, go to the Plant Pests and Bonsai page.

Light

"Light" can mean indoors or out. Not all plants require full sun, some even prefer shade. Here again, it will depend upon the species of plant you have.

I know hearing that over and over again can be frustrating; however, it just may be one of the most important lessons in bonsai. No one can accurately give you bonsai tree care unless they know what it is.

Indoor Bonsai

All plants do best outdoors, however, there are some tropicals and subtropicals which can be considered "indoor bonsai." To keep any plant healthy indoors, the more you duplicate its natural environment, the happier it will be.

There are a many ways to accomplish this. See Bonsai Indoors.

Fertilizer

bonsai fertilizer, bonsai plant food, fertilizer pictures
Fertilizer is like plant food. All plants need food. Plants in the ground draw their food from nature.

In the case of container plants, such as bonsai, we need to help them out.

Learn about the important basics of Bonsai Tree Fertilizer here.

Winter Care

No matter where you live, winter care is a serious concern. All container plants need special consideration during winter - bonsai included. See the full page on Bonsai Care in Winter.

Bonsai Pruning

Bonsai are never finished. To maintain a desirable shape, you will have to trim. However, even bonsai pruning will depend on the type of tree you have.

Plants with leaves are trimmed with sharp shears, juniper needles are often pulled or "pinched".

What is your Climate Zone?

Don't know? In the United States you can find out on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Learn More

To learn more about growing plants in general, consider buying a basic high school horticulture book. You may even find a used one online. Taking care of bonsai trees will become much easier.

And speaking of online, don't be surprised if you get conflicting information about your bonsai from internet sites.

Sometimes, it is a matter of opinion and experience. Other times, it is a total lack of knowledge.

With a little research, you will learn the best people and best sites to trust.

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This Month's
Feature Page...

The Bonsai Articles Page holds a few surprises!

azalea bonsai, good bonsai, bonsai azalea



Bonsai Beginners,
Don't Miss ...

There are a number of bonsai articles on this site. Two of them are especially good for newcomers.

The first is important advice from an old timer and has become known as "The Stuff Article."


mame bonsai, shohin bonsai, little bonsai

The second article, "Ten Steps to Good Bonsai" is perfect for bonsai beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.

Many teachers and clubs have reprinted Ten Steps for their members and students. For reprint details contact BonsaiMary.




SBI! Do The Math


bonsai book, Bonsai with Tropicals, Mary Miller

Order 'Bonsai with Tropicals' (and it's not all about tropicals) by clicking here.


bonsai shears, bonsai tools, bonsai cutters

The bonsai tools page page can save you money!

Before you buy your first tools, be sure to read it.


bonsai drawing, bonsai picture, bonsai art

If you get lost among the many pages here, go to the BonsaiMary Site Map.




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