Bonsai Care
Well, you have got the watering and feeding of the Bonsai down. Think you’re home free. Not a chance. There are still things you need to do successfully to realize the full beauty of these little Japanese wonders. Since the care of the root system is essential to the survival of the trees you need to know the how and when of re-potting your bonsai. This is one of the many steps to proper Bonsai Care.
The importance of Re-potting
The young bonsai trees grow quicker and need to be repotted about once a year. The older trees not so often and eventually get to a point where repotting every 5 years is sufficient. Repotting should be done in the late winter or early spring. This is when the buds begin to swell. First, you should prune your bonsai. Take away any unwanted or long branches. If your bonsai is kept outside it should be placed undercover for a few weeks before repotting. This will help dry the soil. You need to carefully remove the tree from its original pot. Check the root carefully. If they are bound then it is definitely time to transfer it to another pot. If the roots still have some space to grow (a few inches is sufficient) then it does not need repotting.
Remember, repotting at the correct time is essential for Bonsai Care. Place it back into its original pot. Now the fun parts. You don’t simply stick the tree straight into a larger pot. Your tree has to be almost groomed before it moves into its new home. First, the original surface soil must be removed from the roots of the tree. This can be done by hand or by using a nylon scrubbing brush. Be careful not to damage the root system while doing this. This is a sure fire way to kill your tree and make all of your previous Bonsai Care skills worthless.
Preparing the roots
Once you have completed this task you need to use a small paint brush to remove any dirt that is stuck in the roots. Soil tends to collect around the roots and using a paint brush will help insure that you do not do any root damage. This process helps the trees look and feel healthier. The next steps require a Bonsai comb. The roots need to be combed out and due to the delicate nature of the trees it is doubtful that the use of a human comb would be advisable. You need to comb from the underneath and using scissors prune away up to 1 third of the roots. Once you have done this you need to cut small wedges out, around the base of the roots. Sounds radical, but this allows for fresh soils to collect and will keep your tree healthy.
Well if you haven’t run away by now you probably won’t, time for the last bit of Bonsai Care. Now that your tree is happily groomed it is time to prepare the pot. You should put a layer of grit on the bottom of the pot and then what ever compost you have chosen to use. Now that its pot has been prepared, our little friend needs to be positioned. Once you have him sorted out begin putting in the soil. You have most likely figured this out by now but place the soil in gently. Why? You guessed it, to avoid root damage. Hopefully the information that you have learned hasn’t sent you running and your Bonsai trees to the compost heap. There is a lot to learn and a lot to do correctly to insure your tree makes it to adult hood. It maybe easier just to have kids. Bonsai Care is an art and it has been said that the care and maintenance of these trees is an art form in and of itself. However, the rewards can be grand. The trees are beautiful when cultivated properly and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have mastered the art of Bonsai Care.
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Growing bonsai trees is an ancient art that is becoming increasingly more popular. Research shows that plants benefit our mood and attitude. Introducing bonsai plants into your life will bring these benefits along with reduce stress levels and enhance the ascetics of your home environment. Because juniper bonsai trees are easy to grow, they make great plants for beginners. Anyone can grow a bonsai tree if they properly care for it. The following information will help make your bonsai experience a positive one.
There are over 50 species of evergreen juniper trees. The needles range in color from dark green to blue. The juniper increases in beauty as it grows and is a great addition to any landscape. The juniper is an outdoor plant. Fresh air and sunlight are essential to its growth and health. Although it should not be exposed to extreme freezing temperatures, it is a hardy plant, withstanding the coldness of winter and thriving in most climates. Still, it should not be exposed to extreme freezing temperatures and should be brought inside during sub-zero temperatures. Indoors, it should not be placed near heating vents or left without sun exposure. In winter, an unheated, sunny, enclosed porch is an appropriate place for a juniper. If left inside indefinitely, a juniper will lose its healthy appearance and eventually die.
Plenty of fresh air and sun are the first elements to caring for your bonsai. Soil and fertilizer are other important components. Buy soil specifically formulated for bonsai trees. These mixtures contain less fertilizer than the average potting soil, which is designed to encourage maximum growth. The fertilizer should have a high nitrogen content. Fertilize your bonsai every other week during the growing season, spring until autumn. If your bonsai looks unhealthy do not add more fertilizer, which is a common mistake with beginners. Rather, an unhealthy bonsai is usually due to over-watering. Re-pot your bonsai every two years until the plant is 10 years old. After it is re-potted do not expose it to wind or direct sun for 1-2 months.
The next important element for a healthy tree is water. The saying, “if some is good, more is better” cannot be applied in reference to watering your bonsai. Beginners have the tendency to over-water their bonsai plants. Over-watering causes Bonsai roots to rot. You should water your bonsai when the soil is nearly dry–but not completely dried out. The soil should be dry about a half inch to an inch deep. It should appear dry on top, but when you check the soil underneath with a toothpick or your finger, you can still feel moisture. In most conditions you will water every two to three days, but could be as little as once a week or as often as every day, depending on your climate. When it needs watering place it in a container of water or your sink for about 5-10 minutes to saturate the roots. Then let it drain. You can also top water. If top watering your bonsai, water, and then wait a few minutes, and water again. You will repeat this until your bonsai has received enough water.The juniper can also be misted every couple of days to keep dust off the needles and help in keeping humidity.
Plenty of fresh air, rich soil, and the right amount water are the first items to consider when growing a juniper bonsai tree. The basics are usually the most important in any skill or trade. If you can control and regulate the basics, you will be well on your way to growing a healthy bonsai plant. Those elements combined with your care and attention will produce a beautiful plant that will help your mood, attitude and stress levels for many years to come.
