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I recently bought a bonsai tree and I know next to nothing about caring for them. The place i got it from gave me a little sheet with care instructions, but the instructions seem a bit odd and i was hoping that if anyone here knew about bonsai trees, that they could help me out. Or maybe just give me some pointers in general.
The watering instructions said to completely submerge the bonsai in water for a minute and a half, when needed. As opposed to watering it in a normal fashion. It also said to not use tools to trim up the branches and to use your hands.
Is this normal? And if not, any info would be cool. I've checked out some websites but i'd be interested in hearing personal opinions and experiences from anyone who's had them.
posted
A few years back I bought a bonsai tree that came with similar instructions. I followed them. It died.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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There are two goals in caring for bonsai. The first is to keep it alive. The second is to keep it looking like a tiny version of a much larger tree.
As to the first goal, the most important thing is to keep it watered. The submersion method is primarily to keep you from washing the soil off the roots (which is more likely if you are pouring water over the top of the pot. Since bonsai soil is usually more loose and grainy than normal potting soil, overwatering usually isn't an issue as long as you have proper drainage. (I.E. don't let the pot stand in the drained water.) However if you have a drainage tray, it is often helpful to keep water in the tray as long as there is an air space between the bottom of the pot and the surface of the water. This helps keep the air around the bonsai humid. Besides that, periodically give it a boost of plant food.
As to goal #2, the most common problem is too much fiddling with it. It also matters whether you have an indoor or outdoor bonsai. Outdoor bonsai usually go through the seasons and have a growth spurt in the spring. After the growth spurt you trim back the branches (and needles if it has them) and might prune the roots if necessary, and then basically leave it alone (except for watering and feeding) for the rest of the year. If you have an indoor bonsai or one that grows very quickly, (like serissa foetida) you may need to trim it much more frequently. There are myriad books that will tell you how to trim a bonsai and if you are serious about learning the art, check these out. (or if you just like pictures of beautiful bonsai). However, my advice to the casual bonsai owner is just trim it and shape it in any way that is pleasing to you.
(As for by-hand vs. tools, I've seen lots of books detailing how to use a whole variety of tools and have never heard anyone say just to use your hands to trim bonsai. That sounds like a good recipe for clumsy damage to the tree. However, that said, you can probably get by with a good pair of kitchen shears and some strong wire for most of your needs. You don't have to spend a lot on arcane tools.)
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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Yikes! Those are really weird instructions. I don't have a bonsai myself, but I'm looking into starting, and I've joined a livejournal community for people with bonsai. From what I've gathered so far, to water it, you mist the tree. They use very little water, and too much water can cause the roots to rot or to get a fungus. Did you buy your tree from a store or a nursery? Either way, check to see if there are rocks glued over the soil. If there are, take them off right away. If you don't, the poor tree won't get any water at all.
For pruning, of course you use tools. There are kits available - I think I'll get one when I do finally buy my first tree, because then you can just get the clippers and the wire and all of that in one shot. And, hopefully, better instructions than your tree came with!
You're gonna want to find out what species it is, if you haven't already, and then look up how to care for the thing. Different bonsai need different things, and if you're hoping for more than just something that sits on your shelf for a couple of months, you'll want to do a bit of research. Also, I've heard that most areas have bonsai groups or clubs that meet - I haven't found mine yet, but I haven't looked very hard, either. But, that would be a great resource if you're looking to really prune or maybe even grow your own bonsai.
Posts: 3214 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Let me add that the frequency of watering is entirely dependant on the size of the pot and the size of the tree. Bigger pot, less frequently. Smaller pot, more frequently. Some very tiny bonsai require watering once a day or more. Basically, it is not a good idea to let the soil dry out completely. Trees do not recover from wilt nearly as well as houseplants do, nor as quickly.
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I misted mine with a water bottle a lot too, as this was indicated by the instructions. It still died.
Thanks for the info Karl! I've actually been eyeing a bonzai at a local nursery, and thinking about having another go at it.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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One of the most beautiful books on bonsai is Four Seasons of Bonsai , alas, it seems to be no longer in print. However, it does appear to be available used, through Amazon.com.
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I used to have a bonsai tree that lived a long time. It only died when I moved to a place where it had to be kept outside. I wish I could remember how I took care of it, but I did a great job. : P
Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
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My sister got me a bonsai tree for my birthday in June... it died.
It was a juniper, and it either died because I watered it too infrequently (like every other day), or I pruned it too much (it came to me looking like a wild beachball of prickly green). Oh well.
Posts: 1261 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Always remember, an Bonsai tree is completely different than a Banzai tree, which screams loudly before charging in a suicide type attack.
(for a better description of a Banzai tree, see LotR, The Two Towers, The Destruction of Saramun's tower.)
A Katana should never be used in conjunction with a Bonsai tree, nor do the grow up to be Ninja Trees.
Ninja tree's are those dark barked trees that hide in the night and suddenly spring out into the paths of oncoming traffic--usually semi-drunken teen agers who will later swear in court that "That tree jumped out and hit me."
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Poor Bonsai Trees. If Hatrack is any indicator of the norm(and we usually aren't), 80% of Bonsai trees don't make it through their new owners.
Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001
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But, that would be a great resource if you're looking to really prune or maybe even grow your own bonsai.
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I was very sad. ![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
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