How to grow bonsai trees
Some people say that growing bonsai trees is hard - but at least history proves people have been doing it successfully for many years! It was first conceived of by the Chinese, and as so often happens, the Japanese came along and developed it afterwards. It means “tree in a pot”, and it simply involves ‘dwarfing’ the tree by constantly pruning the roots and branches.
You shape the tree at a very young age by pruning and trimming above and below the soil level. Some of the trees can be as small as two inches while others can grow up to two feet tall.
Getting started
Choose your species. Always consult the garden centre experts first as they are employed to know a thing or two! Choose a variety with naturally small leaves - Bottlebrush is a good one that I have used many times.
Take a shallow pot and ensure that you have draining holes. This is very important as the bonsai tree likes dry soil. Also, look for glazing on the outside but not on the inside - if it is on the inside, you will find the tree has trouble breathing.
First of all, however, you must put it in a large pot or even in the ground to allow it to gain strength. When you think that the bonsai has matured sufficiently, then you can put it in the pot.
The soil is especially important for bonsai trees - you need special bonsai soil that can be bought from any good garden centre, and you need to buy feed that includes nitrogen and phosphoric acid for the autumn. If your garden centre cannot supply this, go online and search for it.
Humidity is another key issue for bonsai growers - some experts say that the pot should be placed in a shallow tray full of water, others say that by simply being in the kitchen, they will get enough of the humidity required. It’s up to you.
Of course, it’s your creation and your chance to show your artistic flair. You prune and you water as much or as little as you want, and in the end you will have the reward. It can prove expensive to buy in bonsai trees but if you start from scratch, you have a rewarding hobby!
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