Advantages of Growing a Bonsai

More and more people are falling in love with growing Bonsai. A Bonsai is a living, growing, loving entity which is happy to share in your life, without ever being demanding or damaging the environment around it.

Bonsai plants can be easily cared for and they can fit into any space. These plants can re-energize your office or habitat, when you grow them. Have a look at the important benefits that you can gain from bonsai plants.

Your Bonsai fits into any space.

Whether it's indoors or outdoors, for a small office or as the centerpiece of a room, there are types of Bonsai to fit any room and any lifestyle. And there's no need to worry about landlords, either! Unlike with most pets, there's never any need to pay an extra deposit to have a Bonsai by your side, at home or at work.

Your Bonsai is easy to care for.

Most easy-to-grow species of Bonsai are quite hardy, and able to adapt themselves to fit your home. A little sun, a little water, and the occasional bit of fertilizer is all that's needed to keep one happy and healthy. In return, your Bonsai will grow and bloom for you over and over, continually adding life and beauty to your home.

Your Bonsai becomes a collaborative artistic statement.

Every Bonsai has its own spirit, and its own drive to grow in certain ways, but it's always willing to work with its owner to achieve the best effect. By training your Bonsai and carefully pruning away older leaves to reveal its hidden heart, you and your Bonsai can work together to create spectacular living art.

Your Bonsai can re-energize your home.

Another advantage of it is that it purifies the air. When you grow bonsai plants in your home or office, the surroundings remain purified. As a focus of sight, conversation, and living forces, a Bonsai can quickly spread joy and contentment to all who see it. It can balance a home or office, while asking for nothing but a little love and attention.

But the number one reason is...

Your Bonsai can be a lifelong companion and a stress reliever.

When properly cared-for, a Bonsai tree can live for decades, or more. Many ancient Bonsai displayed around the world have been alive for literally hundreds of years, with the oldest believed to be somewhere over 800. That Bonsai you buy today could become an heirloom, passed down in your family and treasured by generations to come. 

It's no wonder that Bonsai trees have become such popular companions around the world! Adding one to your life immediately brings you a thing of beauty, and power, and love.

Cheers

Arj Samarakoon

3 Things You Need to Know About Bonsai

“Bonsai is the art of taking a simple plat or tree and turning it into a reminder of nature’s beauty within a confined space” –Anonymous

Many have thought that Bonsai trees are special species of trees. Contrarily, these are just regular trees grown in a pot that are carefully selected, shaped, trimmed, watered, carved and nurtured by their passionate caretakers. Their shape and size our controlled to bring out that miniaturized tree look. Basically, a set of techniques and practices are used to form this kind of art.

Along with the joy and the calming effect they bring, they also require diligent care, regular maintenance—and a whole lot of patience! Growing a happy, and healthy Bonsai requires the following:

PRUNING AND SHAPING

This is to maintain its small size and shape as it grows that will improve its aesthetics. Pruning is also essential to remove branches that are growing in the wrong direction, to prevent the tree outgrowing its pot, and to encourage new growth.

WATERING

It is the most essential part of Bonsai tree care. But in general, don’t let your bonsai tree’s soil dry out completely between watering because these plants have small root systems, letting the soil get too dry can cause roots to die. Therefore, it is best to water while the soil is slightly damp.

Some factors should also be considered when watering your Bonsai: soil mixture, pot/container, heat and humidity.

Add tip: Check the soil daily, and twice per day in the summer.

FERTILIZING

This will add nourishment to you Bonsai such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. If you think it hasn’t reached your desired size yet, you’ll need to put it on a regular feeding schedule. You can use either organic or mineral fertilizer—or a combination of the two. 

Follow these simple tips to ensure it is well fed, has the right amount of water, and always in shaped. A bonsai can live for decades and more, with proper care. Who knows, that the Bonsai tree you are planning to grow will be passed down in your family and will be treasured by the next generations? So, are you ready to try your hand at growing your own bonsai?

Cheers

Arjuna Samarakoon

Trees that are suitable for Bonsai

If you are new to Bonsai and want to know what trees to use for your creation the below will be useful. Remember, creating a Bonsai takes time. So be patient :)

Also, this is my opinion on what good trees are. Do your research, there are plenty of trees. Way more than the list below :)

Cheers 

Arjuna Samarakoon

Juniper

Japanese Maple

Cedar

Bodhi tree 

Baobab

Boxwood

Norfolk Island Pine

Pomegranate 

Dwarf Jade

Common Beech 

New to Bonsai and don't know what tools to use?

 Hi There,

If you are new to Bonsai, this link gives you information on what tools you need. You dont need to buy all the tools at once. Start small. Read a lot!

https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/general/tools

Thanks to Bosail Empire for all the information.

The Bonsai tools, from the top middle clockwise:pruning shear

1. standard shear
2. long slim twig shear
3. leaf cutter
4. shohin and azalea shear
5. large concave cutter with straight blades
6. small concave cutter with straight blades
7. knob cutter
8. tweezer spatula
9. large foldable saw
10. medium sized foldable saw
11. thin pruning saw
12. grafting knife with wooden sheath
13. root hook
14. small root rake
15. larger root rake
16. sickle saw
17. sickle knife
18. root plier
19. strong standard shear for root pruning
20. jin / wire bending plier
21. large wire cutter
22. small wire cutter
23. small angled jin / wire bending plier
24. (middle) set of soil scoops

Enjoy the link

Cheers

Arj Samarakoon