Caring of your Bonsai Tree

A bonsai tree is a miniature model of the full grown tree. Its growth is controlled and stunted by pruning. However, because of its small size, it is by no means an unhealthy organism, it is merely a scaled–down version of what it would be if grown in the wild. For these reasons, a bonsai need to be cared for adequately.

Care for the bonsai consists of 2 major steps, watering and pruning.

1) Watering the plant regularly and carefully

The amount of water required for a bonsai tree varies with the variety, the size of the tree and the container.

Adequate watering is very important; more bonsais die because of over or under watering than for any other reason.

The watering needs of the plant must be carefully considered. Trees in small pots can get dehydrated if not watered enough and if over watered, rot might set in the root system.

Care must be taken while potting to see that the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot is not blocked even partially else the tree will have to be repotted.

2) Pruning

Pruning requires some skill. Keep in mind visual balance and what you want the tree to look like before you start pruning.

Pruning involves 3 aspects.

Shaping the branches
This is done by winding aluminum wire around the branch and gently bending the branches into the shape you want. Getting the final shape will take time. Mind that the wire is not wound too tightly, if it is, it can leave a scar on the branch.

Cutting or the pruning leaves
Use a sharp cutter for deciduous trees. For other trees, pinch the leaves with your thumb and forefinger. Never remove all the leaves of a bonsai tree at any time. Doing this will surely kill the tree as it have no food source.

Pruning the root system
Pruning the root system is necessary because there is a relation between the growth of the roots and the height of the tree. As we are trying to create a miniature model of the original tree in a bonsai, pruning the roots is a way of restricting the growth of the tree.

While pruning, the roots must be wet with water. Use a bucket filled with water while pruning; hold the plant in the water and prune, so that the roots never dry out. But first wash off the soil from the roots and then prune the cleaned, wet roots.