Bonsai (Japanese for “planting in a pot”) is a small tree that grows in a pot. It is believed that its cultivation, in addition to gardening skills, also requires artistic talent. The art of growing bonsai trees began around 200 years before Christ in China, and then bonsai was called penjing. Penjing or panzai is actually an ancient Chinese art of depicting and shaping miniature trees, plants and landscapes.
There are three main types of penjing:
- forest penjing
- shanshui penjing
- shuihan penjing
Shumu penjing means planting one or more trees in a container. The stems can be combined with some other plants. The stems are pruned and shaped with the help of wire.
Shanshui penjing are actually miniature landscapes with carefully selected and shaped stones, which usually stand in a container of water. Trees are planted, thus completing the composition, i.e. the landscape.
Shuihan penjing is a combination of the first two types (so a combination of trees, water and figures).
There are several legends about how bonsai first appeared. One of the more famous says that an emperor (who was obese) thought that traveling was very tiring and tiring. Therefore, in order to be able to see every part of his empire at all times, he had a miniature copy of the empire made in the courtyard of the palace. And for those who try to do something similar, he predicted the punishment in the form of execution.
Later, penjing business became a status symbol. It was especially appreciated from the 10th to the 13th century, that is, during the Song Dynasty. Somehow, at that time, cultivation in an individual container also began. In those beginnings, trees were most often shaped into animals and dragons. As Chinese power expanded, bonsai became part of the cultural exchange between nations.
There are several types of bonsai trees, and the simplest division is into:
- bonsai trees for growing indoors
- bonsai trees for growing in open spaces
Bonsai trees by size:
- keshitsubo (from 3 to 8 cm)
- shito (from 5 to 10 cm)
- mums (from 5 to 15 cm)
- shohin (from 13 to 20 cm)
- komono (from 15 to 25 cm)
- katade-mochi (from 25 to 46 cm)
- chumono/chiu (from 41 to 91 cm)
- omono/dai (from 76 to 122 cm)
- hachi-uye (from 102 to 152 cm)
- imperial (from 152 to 203 cm)
If you decide to buy a bonsai tree, you should be informed about the specific species, and below we provide general tips for growing bonsai trees.
Cultivation of bonsai trees
A bonsai tree cannot withstand temperatures lower than 15 degrees. In the summer months, it is recommended to keep it in direct sunlight in the morning, and in the shade for the rest of the day. The tree should stand on an elevated place. In winter, it is recommended to place the bonsai tree near the window. It is important that it receives enough sun (so it is recommended to stand on the south side).
Watering a bonsai tree
Regular and proper watering is one of the most important conditions for the success of bonsai trees. It should be noted right away that the soil in which the tree is planted must never dry out completely. On the other hand, the tree should never be watered too much. More precisely, in winter it is recommended to water them once every two days, and in summer they can be watered even several times a day, depending on the position they are in and the heat.
It is best to water them with a small sprinkler because they like spraying on the leaves, but also a lot of moisture in the air. For this reason, in winter it would be desirable to humidify the air in the heated space around the tree.
Warm water is the best choice for watering. Moreover, due to the lower proportion of limescale than tap water, the best choice is rainwater. There is no need to go to the other extreme, i.e. watering with distilled water because it does not have the necessary minerals.
A bonsai tree can also be watered by immersing the container in which it is located in water (for example, in a bucket) and leaving it like that for about 5 minutes. After removing the container from the water, make sure that the excess water is drained.
Generally speaking, it is difficult to estimate how much water a bonsai tree needs, it mostly depends on the weather conditions in which it is located, the size of the container in which the tree is planted and the type of soil (substrate). In the beginning, it is important to check the soil of the tree and water it accordingly.
The ideal time for watering is early morning or evening. Be careful during very hot days. The water can get too hot and thus damage the roots of the tree.
Bonsai tree maintenance
Bonsai tree feeding
It is recommended to feed the bonsai tree with artificial liquid fertilizer, or standard fertilizer for plants. It is very important to feed the tree because it likes permeable soil, which means that such soil has a harder time retaining nutrients. We should be careful with the amount of fertilizer we use. Half the recommended amount is recommended.
If you use liquid fertilizer, it should be applied to already moist soil. If you use fertilizer in the form of sticks or balls, you should again pay attention to the amount. Regarding the time interval between fertilizing, it is recommended to feed twice a week in spring, summer and autumn, and once a month in winter. In the summer, you should take a break from feeding for four weeks.
Bonsai tree pruning
Pruning a bonsai tree is perhaps the most complicated part of maintaining this plant. In order to be successful in this, it takes time and experience. Below we provide general guidelines on the “bonsai technique”.
The tree should be pruned regularly, as this is how it is given and maintained in shape. It usually spreads upwards and outwards which is called apical dominance. Regular pruning also promotes the growth of internal branches near the trunk.
Basic pruning is done so that all overgrown shoots (which come out of shape) are cut with sharp scissors. Thick and large branches are pruned. It is often difficult to decide which branches should and should not be pruned. Pruning is done in early spring or late autumn (before or after the plant’s growth period).
Before pruning, the tree should be cleaned of dry leaves. As a rule, one of the two opposite branches or one of the two branches growing in parallel is pruned. Also, branches that cross the tree line should be removed. Branches at the top of the crown are also removed (to make the tree look more harmonious). To remove larger branches (thicker) it is necessary to use concave pliers (to avoid the appearance of a scar that can eventually be removed with a special paste).
Transplanting a bonsai tree
When the roots fill the container in which the bonsai grows, it should be transplanted. As a rule, it is transplanted every 2 to 3 years. Of course, you should monitor the growth of the tree and decide accordingly when to transplant it. Transplanting is done in the dormant period, i.e. late autumn or early spring. For a short period after transplanting, the tree should be kept in a shady place.
Preparing bonsai trees for winter
Preparation of bonsai trees for winter begins in November. During this period, fertilization should be thinned a little. Deciduous bonsai trees should be cleaned of dried leaves. After that, the trees can be wired. Since copper wire can stain the wood, it may be a better choice to use aluminum foil.
In the period of preparation for winter, the tree should also be sprayed preventively with a lime-sulfur solution. It kills insect larvae and eggs, and protects the tree from fungi. Furthermore, the surface should be cleaned from the substrate. It moves 1 to 2 cm from the top of the substrate. Replace the part you removed with fresh substrate, and then water it well.
Bonsai tree care over winter
Winter is ideal for wiring bonsai trees. Wiring is a rather complex process. The aim is certainly to use as little wire as possible to achieve the best possible positions of the branches. Never cross wires. Freshly wired wood should be protected from frost and wind, it should not be sprayed and should be kept at a temperature of around 4 degrees.
Growing a bonsai tree and successfully keeping it alive can seem very difficult, but it really just requires a lot of information and caution. The instructions we have provided here are generally valid for bonsai trees, but after purchase, you should pay attention to the species and get information about it.
Author: SV, Photo: robbrownaustralia/Pixabay