Bonsai Trees FAQ

You have probably seen the delicate little trees twisting gracefully up from their beautiful containers. They twist and curve around gently pruned into whatever shape the artist has yielded his or her clippers. But have you ever wanted to create a bonsai tree yourself or wanted to know more about the bonsai tree and its rich and colorful traditions? If so then this article is for you. In this article we will cover the history of the bonsai tree along with a basic "how to" guide on creating and caring for your very own bonsai tree. Before you know it you will be creating these miniature works of art of your very own and be proudly showing them off every chance you get. They truly are a beautiful example of nature being enhanced and molded by mankind's touch.

What is bonsai?

Bonsai means miniature tree in Japanese. It is also called Penzai in Chinese and it is all about shaping and trimming a tree, any tree to fit into a small container. They are beautiful and require special training to keep them small and contained within those small areas. They have a rich and colorful history dating back to the Han Dynasty. In the West we refer to all miniature trees as bonsai trees even when they are not truly bonsai trees.

How much should I water my bonsai tree?

Watering a bonsai tree or any plant for that matter is a fine balance between being too wet and too dry. It is something that has to be checked every single day. You want the ground to be moist yet not soggy because this can cause root rot. If the ground is too dry it will cause the plant to dehydrate. Usually a good rule of thumb is to use your thumb. Press it lightly onto the ground. If it comes away slightly damp then your soil is at the right level of moisture. If it comes away wet then you need to hold off watering for a day or so until it reaches the right level again. If the soil is dry then you need to water your bonsai tree.

What type of plant food should I use on my bonsai tree?

How you fertilize and soil your bonsai tree is entirely up to you. Some bonsai growers elect to use only organic fertilizers whereas others rely on chemical fertilizers. The one constant is the soil composition. In order for the drainage to properly occur you must have inorganic material that allows the water to flow through the soil and out through the properly ventilated bottom. You can use a variety of materials ranging from clay pellets to shale.

Do I need to repot my bonsai tree often?

You will repot your bonsai tree at certain stages of its growth. Most repotting is done during the development stage. The tree is placed in a special growing box that allows the roots to grow freely so they can help the tree grow sturdier. After the desired height and width is accomplished the roots will be contained in a smaller container that will limit their growth and stop the growth of the tree. You will have to periodically trim the roots and repot to prevent the roots from becoming entangled and ensnared with each other.