You may not have a large garden or outdoor space for gardening; nevertheless, you may be in love with plants and gardening. In the absence of outdoor space, you can nurture your gardening hobby by growing bonsai and houseplants. Bonsai, literally tray-planted, in Japanese, is a gardening technique, where trees and shrubs are artificially dwarfed and grown in containers. The word bonsai refers to the artificially dwarfed plant as well as the art of dwarfing a plant.
The historical references show that the Chinese began creating bonsai about 2000 years ago. From China, the art of the dwarf tree went to Japan. The Japanese people perfected art between the 12-14th century. Interestingly, gardening is a spiritual activity in Japan. In Ze Buddhism, gardening is akin to meditation. The Japanese began creating bonsai as a spiritual activity.
Bonsai is different from normal houseplants. Bonsai are miniature trees and shrubs whereas houseplants have a natural size. Compared to houseplants, bonsai needs much more attention regarding pruning, watering, and feeding.
Things you need while growing a bonsai
A plant
Knife or clippers
Wire
Container
Screen/mesh to cover container holes
Pebbles
Soil
Moss
Water
Plant sealant
Fertilizer
Insecticide
Growing Bonsai
In order to grow a bonsai, you have to learn the techniques of pruning roots and branches, wiring root and shoot, and transplanting the bonsai in a container. The first step of growing a bonsai is to learn how to prune a bonsai. You can even create orange and mango tree bonsai and restrict them to no more than one or two feet. You can also cross breed lime and orange and grow a new species of bonsai.
There are two kinds of bonsai.
Indoor bonsai: Trees and shrubs grown artificially indoors in containers
Outdoor bonsai: Trees and shrubs grown outdoors in containers
Market price for bonsai varies according to age, species, and size. Usually, indoor bonsai is more expensive than outdoor bonsai. Bonsai are categorized according to size and age. Normally, bonsai are between 6 inches to 4 feet.
If you are living in urban environment, and do not have enough space, indoor bonsai is highly recommended. Indoor bonsai takes carbon dioxide from your room and releases oxygen thus enlivening your home.
Indoor Bonsai
Generally speaking, you can create Bonsai from all kinds of tree species, however, the best bonsai is made from the tree species favorable to your climate zone. Normally, there are different species for outdoor and indoor bonsai. When you are creating indoor bonsai, use plant species that are best for the tropical and sub-tropical climates. For outdoor bonsai, plants favorable to temperate climate are good. You may use different species for outdoor and indoor bonsai, however, both kind of bonsai requires similar services like grafting, pruning, wiring, etc. Indoor bonsai are a little delicate, though
Indoor bonsai needs less watering whereas outdoor bonsai needs frequent watering. Soil must be damp but not dry or wet. To determine if the bonsai needs watering, poke your finger into the spoil, if it is dry, water the bonsai.
For indoor bonsai, normal house lighting may not be enough, so you have to keep the plant close to the window. If your bonsai is in the dark corner, use fluorescent rod, incandescent or halogen bulbs for extra light. You can also keep your indoor bonsai out in the sun, in the morning and afternoon, when the sun is mild.
You have to keep your outdoor bonsai in greenhouse during winter. If you don’t have greenhouse cover the bonsai with a plastic sheet during the night.
Low humidity environment is detrimental for indoor bonsai. Because of heating and cooling, your room has low humidity. Spray water frequently over the bonsai to maintain high humidity. You can also keep the bonsai container on the tray filled with water.
The required temperature for indoor bonsai differs from plant to plant. However, in most cases room temperature and a few degrees below the room temperature is fine.
Bonsai from seeds
You can buy a plant from nursery and create your bonsai, or collect plant from the wild or even your garden. You can also grow bonsai from seeds. After you have eaten fruits such as mango, orange, and guava, plant these seeds. If you want to create indoor bonsai, plant seeds in a vase and keep it indoors. Sow the seeds in nursery, if you want outdoor bonsai. Let the plant grow naturally for a year or two. You can then prune roots and shoots, wire it and plant in a container.
Some people also prefer to grow a plant in a container for a year or two before creating a bonsai. When the plant matures, they uproot the plant, prune roots and branches, wire, and transplant in a container.
Growing Bonsai: A Beginner’s Guide
If you really want to create a bonsai yourself, you will have to spend a lot of years before you master this art form. However, if you are interested in bonsai and want to try your hands on bonsai, you can easily do so by following this step-by-step process.
Uproot a young plant and untangle the roots. In shrubs and trees, there are two types of root: taproot and feeder roots. Taproot is the main root that grows deep into the earth. Feeder roots are minor roots that grow around the taproot.
Prune the feeder roots, and little bit of taproot. Prune the plant few inches from the top to make it small.
Wrap the entire taproot with a wire. Wiring restricts roots from growing further. When root growth is restricted, growth will be focused around the trunk and shoots.
Prune the branches and pare the barks. Bend some of the branches to your desired inclination and taper with a wire. Tapering allows the bonsai to gain interesting angle. Be gentile while bending the branch.
Use mesh or screen to block the holes in the container. Screening prevents soil erosion. When you are growing a bonsai, you don’t allow the roots to spread, therefore, you use little soil. Therefore, one-third of the bottom part of the container should be filled with small stones. Place the plant that you want to create bonsai just above the stones and cover with soil. Soil should not be more than two inches thick. Finally, you cover the soil with stones. While preparing the potting soil add sand, clay and organic fertilizer.
You may use a stake to give support to the bonsai. You can remove the stake after few weeks.
Cover the soil with moss. Before you use moss, soak in water for 10 minutes.
Water the plant after transplanting. Remember, bonsai soils must always remain moist.
Be patient. Bonsai takes at least five years to exhibit a real beauty.
Growing Bonsai: Points to Remember
Choose a plant endemic to your region.
Choose the species for bonsai according to your geography.
While planting, tilt the plant.
Different species of plants require different sized containers.
Pruning should be done either in the growing season or in the hibernating season. Use Use a sealant to cover the openings.
Keep the branch you want and remove that you don’t want. However, you have to let it grow well before wiring or pruning.
Repot bonsai every two years. Remember, you can repot only in the early spring.
While repotting, try not to damage the root or moss. You have to remove wire and then rewire while repotting.
You have to maintain moderate temperature and high humidity and provide extra light for your indoor bonsai.
Spray insecticides and anti-fungal liquid to control insects and fungus.
You can use compost/organic fertilizer, or inorganic fertilizer in solid or liquid form, to feed your bonsai. Fertilizing is necessary, however, too much fertilizer can damage your bonsai.