Art of Bonsai
![]() |
The Art of Bonsai
Bonsai are not typical houseplants. Juniper trees are evergreen coniferous shrubs that thrive best outside in humid environments. Keeping a plant in a pot is vastly different from its natural state in the wild. For bonsai, plants are kept in small containers where their roots have very little space. These differences have a heavy impact on their ability to resist pests, transpiration, and nutrition, so proper long term care is necessary for a healthy life. Training MethodsA variety of techniques are used to train bonsai from encouraging steady maturity, to molding shape and size. These methods vary considerably depending on your bonsai, or personal preference. These are only some general instructions, so we recommend further research such as books or online articles for further depth. Pruning and TrimmingPruning and Trimming – Cutting back the growth of branches, or parts of the trunk. This is what keeps the tree miniature. Leaves are typically removed by special scissors for bonsai, or any blade with a sharp edge. Do not trim the tree like a bush or a hedge, or the removal of the tips will weaken the tree and it will likely turn brown. Clamping and WiringThese instruments are for shaping the branches and trunk. By applying pressure on the plant, the direction of growth is encouraged to go a certain direction. GraftingPlacing new growing material into the tree. |
Watering
|
SunlightJuniper thrive best outside and should not remain inside for more than several days, as an indoor environment cannot provide necessary nutrition. Place the bonsai in an area sheltered from harsh wind and weather where they can receive full sunlight for at least six hours a day, year round. During winter if temperatures drop below twenty degrees, you should bring it to a sheltered place such as a garage or shed. When the tree is in dormancy it won,t require sunlight, but it will still need to be watered every two to three weeks. The leaves may temporarily turn brown, but they,ll turn green again in the spring. |
Repotting
Proper health is greatly dependent on the quality of soil. A ratio of half akadama, a quarter pumice, and a quarter igneous rock is ideal. You can add compost to help retain more water if you don't want to water often. Gently remove the tree from the pot. Scrape away the dirt from the roots gently, and prune them back no more than a quarter of the root ball's mass. Placing mesh over the draining holes keeps the soil from running out when watering. Then you can lay a fresh layer of soil at the bottom to elevate the tree to the desired height. Set the tree in gently and full the empty spaces with soil, making sure to not leave any gaps between the roots. Once the tree is settled, it needs a thorough soaking. Submerging the pot in a tub of water is a great way to hydrate the roots. |
FertilizingSince the root system of the bonsai is cramped in such a tiny space, the soil eventually runs out of nutrients to absorb, so fertilizing is necessary. You can use fish emulsion or a balanced fertilizer at half the dosage, feeding once every two weeks or at least twice a month. Do not fertilize during winter, as the plant will be in dormancy. |