Grow Light For Bonsai Tree – Whether you want to dive into the vast world of bonsai or just picked up a cute tree on impulse at the store, you’re probably wondering how to care for your first plant.
The simplest bonsai is a perfect example of the intersection of art and horticulture. This is no less important for the cultivation of plants, but also for the creation of an artistic tableau, the splendor of miniature nature.
Grow Light For Bonsai Tree
It’s easy to look up at one of those century-old prize-winning trees and feel overwhelmed by the whole prospect. But don’t be.
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Just remember that you’re working with a plant like you do with other types of gardening, and it doesn’t have to be more complicated. If an artist’s spirit is combined with a green thumb, all the better.
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This guide will break everything down to the bare essentials so you can jump in without feeling like you’re in over your head.
Even if this is your first bonsai or even your first attempt at growing any plants, this guide is perfect for beginners and we are here to help.
Bonsai Tree Care Guide: How To Grow A Bonsai Tree
If you are completely new to growing bonsai, you may want to check out our introduction to the art. It covers all the basics and explains the history of this ancient art.
Bonsai as an art form has been around for hundreds of years, monks from China brought it to Japan where it became the practice we recognize today.
One of the earliest examples in Japan dates back to the 13th century, although it is likely that it was practiced there much earlier.
This method is not for growing dwarf trees, but for growing full size specimens in small containers and keeping them small by holding and pruning them.
Bonsai Plants: A Fascinating Sculptural Plant For Your Garden
Most species grown as bonsai must be treated like normal trees, which means they must be outdoors and go through a dormant period.
Also, there are some species that you can keep inside for part or all of the year.
When choosing a plant to start your journey with, you should consider whether you can keep the tree outdoors or whether it will be kept indoors.
As we mentioned, some trees require a period of dormancy that involves cooler temperatures and less light, so they cannot be kept indoors only.
Growing A Bonsai — How Long Does It Take?
If you want to keep your plant indoors, choose a species that is commonly grown as a houseplant. It’s often better for beginners anyway, as they are tolerant of being kept in containers indoors.
Many people choose to start with plants that are not necessarily trees, but woody shrubs that can be trained into a small tree form.
They’re generally easier to grow and mature faster, so you can start practicing your technique without the risk of upsetting a temperamental species or breaking a form that will take years to fix.
When choosing a plant, look for one that has interesting bark. If you picture an older bonsai, you will never see one with a smooth trunk.
How To Grow Your First Bonsai
As iconic as they are, I don’t recommend maples, pines, cherry blossoms, or cedars for beginners. Fruit trees, birch, mahogany and ginkgo are also somewhat of a challenge.
We invite you to try them. This is art and there are no set rules. But if you want something a little more forgiving, consider one of the following to get you started:
I killed my Chinese elm a dozen times when I started growing bonsai. At least I thought I had.
This species is a great choice if you want a classic looking bonsai that can be abused. I think it’s an exercise bike. It supports your back until you’re ready to start riding on your own.
How To Train Your Bonsai Tree
The same hardiness makes cotton a reliable garden specimen, making it a great bonsai for beginners. But you won’t sacrifice beauty for strength.
A beautiful umbrella tree is another good choice for beginners and works well indoors. In fact, it is often grown as a houseplant.
It was my first bonsai and it’s still going strong after more than two decades, and I’ve made many, many mistakes.
Should I fertilize bonsai? Can’t leave them in a hot car? Well, now you tell me…
Best Indoor Bonsai Trees
Ficus is the first tree I usually recommend to people who want to try the art of bonsai.
There are hundreds of species to choose from and they can be grown indoors, although most do better if they spend a few months outdoors in good weather.
I think fuchsia is not used for beginners. It can be grown indoors or outdoors, is fast growing and long lasting. The biggest challenge is keeping it watered.
Look for a variety or hybrid with leaves and small flowers. You can read more about fuchsia varieties here.
Ficus Plant With Pot, Bonsai/assorted Colors, 8 ¾
They grow quite quickly, so you can achieve the look of an older plant much faster than with something slow-growing like juniper.
Juniper is a great tree for beginners because it is incredibly tolerant of dry soil and drought. It grows slowly, which some people consider an advantage because it means less work and maintenance.
However, it must be kept outside all year round. Don’t believe the label if you buy a juniper labeled as a houseplant. This is not the case, despite the fact that some nurseries advertise them as such.
Lavenders will never grow a huge trunk and these plants have a shorter life span than real trees, but choosing lavenders is a great way for beginners to practice bonsai care and shaping.
Bonsai Tree By Ryan Neil’s Bonsai Mirai In Oregon
I find it a good plant to practice techniques like pruning and wiring because it grows fast. You don’t have to wait years and years to see the impact of your choices.
Wait, isn’t that just a garden weed? Believe it or not, rosemary is one of the best plants for beginners. If you are eager to practice shaping and want to see quick results, this is a great plant to start with.
It grows quickly, tolerates drought and poor soil, and the woody stem becomes jagged and ages much faster than a real tree.
If you want to dive into this technique without compromise, choose rosemary. These plants don’t live as long as some traditional options, but they’re a great place to start.
How To Care For A New Bonsai Tree
Once you’ve chosen your species, you have several options for purchasing your first bonsai. Your decision depends on your budget and how much you want to be involved in the process from start to finish.
At the more expensive end of the scale, many retailers and nurseries sell bonsai to beginners. You can find younger plants that are not too expensive, or you can buy older bonsai, but they will be expensive.
The second option, which falls in the middle of the cost scale, is to purchase a seedling of the species you want to grow.
It’s a bit more complicated because you’ll probably have to cut the root ball to fit in the container, and you’ll need to shape and prune it more.
Ficus Retusa (bonsai Tree)
However, if you look closely, you can find seedlings that are already in pretty good shape. Junipers are a particularly viable option, so take a look around the next time you’re in the nursery.
Finally, you can grow your plant from seed or grow it by rooting a cutting or air layer. This is the most difficult choice, because you are fully responsible for the health of the plant, starting with propagation.
If you go this route, start the plant in a larger container for the first few years rather than a bonsai pot.
You probably won’t be able to shape your tree beyond the trunk for several years with this method, unless you choose a woody herb like rosemary or lavender.
Bonsai Grow Guide
I don’t recommend buying pre-made bonsai available at home improvement stores or supermarket kiosks.
They are usually not properly prepared (see, for example, rocks stuck to the surface) and can eventually fail. Start with a good foundation.
Soil is undoubtedly the most important element you can control. A tree can tolerate a little shade or a little moisture, but with so little soil to establish and nurture these plants, you have to do it right.
When you get a plant, you really don’t know what the existing soil composition is. However, the substrate you use is a living thing. It acts as a host not only for your tree, but also for the microorganisms that help keep it alive.
Ficus Plant With Pot, Bonsai/assorted Colors, 5 ½
Whether you purchased a bonsai started in a container or are planting your own, remove as much soil as possible from the roots.
The easiest way to do this is to remove the plant from the container, gently scrub and pat it.
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