Question 1

How hard is it to grow & maintain a Bonsai tree?

Accepted Answer

Not at all!  Taking care of a Bonsai is easy and rewarding for all levels of enthusiasts.  However, it does require a regular COMMITMENT to providing adequate natural light and regular watering.  Certain species can tolerate a bit more "neglect" than others and are appropriate for beginners and gifts where care levels are uncertain.

Question 2

How often should I water my Bonsai tree?

Accepted Answer

Unlike a house plant, Bonsai trees use a "free draining" type of soil because their roots cannot tolerate "wet feet".  In addition, they are grown in significantly less soil and, therefore require more frequent watering.  Factors such as tree location, temperature, lighting conditions, quantity of soil used and the changing seasons will determine the frequency of watering.  You can get to know when your tree needs to be watered by observing the foliage, testing the soil with your index finger just below the surface or just by the weight of the pot. (The drier the tree, the lighter it will feel.)  To take the guesswork out of watering, we recommend an inexpensive moisture meter which works much like a thermometer, insert it into the soil and the needle will tell you if it is time to water.

In general, most trees kept Indoors will need watering ONCE every 2 to 3 days and trees kept Outdoors will need watering ONCE every 2 days or daily depending on the weather (temperature and wind).

Question 3

How often should I fertilize my Bonsai tree?

Accepted Answer

Because Bonsai trees are cultivated in limited amounts of soil, adequate feed is very important.  As a general rule, a small amount of feed is given in the spring and a larger amount in the fall.  Feed for Bonsai should contain three principle ingredients; nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash.  It is also a good idea to use a fertilizer containing "chelated" iron.  If purchasing commercially, water before fertilizing your tree and then apply at ONE-HALF the strength recommended by the brand's manufacturer.

Question 4

How do I provide essential humidity to my Bonsai tree?

Accepted Answer

All trees naturally grow in more humid conditions than our homes, offices and dormitories. So what can we do to provide this necessary humidity?  Misting the tree is only beneficial for a short time so what we recommend is to place the tree on a humidity tray and add water to the tray.  As the water in the tray evaporates it creates a humid environment around the tree continuously. When the water in the tray is gone, add more water.  It's a good idea to separate the pot from the water in the tray by adding some pebbles to the bottom of the tray as this will prevent any roots from sitting in the water.  Misting is generally not necessary unless growing in extremely dry & arid conditions.

Question 5

How much natural sunlight is required for my Bonsai tree when kept Indoors?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight, especially the ultra-violet ray, greatly affects the growth of trees.  Bonsai should be placed in a location with as much direct sun as possible although indirect sun will also work well - the tree should not be placed more than ONE FOOT away from the glass as the sun's energy drops off dramatically  direct light source.  A South, East or West exposure works best.

A northern exposure or no natural light environment will require the use of Grow Lights which should remain on up to 16 hours each day and the lamp should not be more than 2 inches from the top of the tree.  A typical incandescent light is too hot and will not provide the various spectrum of light that is required to maintain your Bonsai tree.

If you do not have a window that provides an South, East or West exposure, consider a live Money Tree Bonsai or a preserved, artificial or wire Bonsai tree.

Question 6

How is miniaturizing a tree possible?

Accepted Answer

Several techniques are used to keep a Bonsai tree small.  The tree is grown in a container, the trimming, pruning, repotting and other care given the tree -- all contribute to the final result of limited growth. Dwarf trees are often found in a natural environment, but in Bonsai this environment is provided artificially. Bonsai are grown in shallow containers the size of which determines the amount of soil the roots are able to grow in. This environment definitely restricts the growth of the roots and its functions.

Question 7

How do I trim and prune my Bonsai?

Accepted Answer

The main objective of trimming and pruning is to shape the Bonsai into the desired form and to reduce growth above ground in order to maintain a balance with root growth. The process of shaping begins when the tree is very young and is on-going as it matures. Trimming is accomplished by using a sharp shears.  This traditional tool is called butterfly or Bonsai shears and is used for removing foliage and light branches. When heavier branches are removed, we call it pruning and the tool to use is the concave branch cutter, for which there is no substitute. The concave cutter allows you to remove small, medium and even large branches without leaving any visible scars.

Question 8

How do I prevent diseases and insects from infecting my Bonsai?

Accepted Answer

As living trees, Bonsai are susceptible to insect attacks and disease.  Preventive and corrective measures include (a) keeping your Bonsai in good health, since insects and bacteria tend to attack weak trees, (b) giving your tree ample light, fresh air and ventilation, (c) keeping the soil free of spent blooms and fallen leaves and (d) proper watering techniques which does not leave the soil moist, muddy or sloppy.

You may also use an insecticidal soap spray which is not harmful to humans or animals.  This soap derivative, however, may require more than one application to control the insect population.  It's also a good idea to use this spray weekly to prevent any attacks.

Question 9

How do I train my Bonsai if I choose to?

Accepted Answer

The Bonsai trees we sell are fully trained however an advanced enthusiast may wish to continue to train and advance it further or create their own using pre-Bonsai trees.  Wiring, a relatively modern method of training Bonsai trunks and branches into the desired forms, has become commonly accepted. It is often used in place of, or in conjunction with the traditional methods of long-term pruning and hemp-rope binding.   Copper or Aluminum wire that has first been annealed in a low-temperature fire is preferred. After it has cooled, it is wrapped around the branches in the direction the branch is to be bent. The branch should be bent once into its final position so as not to harm the cambium layer under the bark. The wire should be wrapped taut, but not too tight, and should be removed just before it bites into the branch -- between 6 and 12 months. The wire is removed with a Bonsai wire cutter by snipping the wire at each turn, thereby allowing the cut pieces to fall to the ground. Never unwind the wire or use pliers to cut the wire, since this will damage the branches.

Question 10

What is Bonsai Soil and why is it used for Bonsai?

Accepted Answer

Bonsai trees do not do well in soil that is always wet due to their complex root structure, this promotes root rot.  Typical commercially available potting and topsoils are heavy soils that can remain wet for weeks, which is fine for house plants but not trees.  Bonsai soil is a mixture of ingredients which allows the water to drain freely and at the same time, retain moisture.  In addition, the ingredients allow the roots to breathe air and prevent compaction.  There are two basic types of Bonsai soil -- a conifer mix for deciduous & evergreen trees and a tropical/sub-tropical mix for tropical trees that do not freeze.  Before adding any soil mixture, be sure to cover the drainage hole(s) with screening to prevent the soil from washing out of the pot.  When re-potting, it is always best to use the soil mixture in its dry state.

Question 11

How often should I re-pot my Bonsai tree?

Accepted Answer

All potted vegetation will eventually outgrow their containers.  While houseplants need to be "up-potted", placed in larger and larger containers, we maintain the miniaturization of a Bonsai tree by keeping the roots confined to the small container.  On average, repotting will be necessary every 2 years, but the tree should be removed from its container and its root system inspected once a year.  If the roots are close to forming a circular ball around the perimeter of the pot, it is time to trim the roots and repot.  When repotting remember to (a) re-pot only during the appropriate repotting season (b) use only fresh Bonsai soil appropriate for your tree (c) remove air pockets by working the soil down through the roots (d) do not remove more that 20% of the root system -or- consider using a new, larger pot if you prefer the tree to grow moderately thicker and larger than its current condition (e) water well.

Question 12

How we measure our trees?

Accepted Answer

We provide an approximate range of tree height measurement by calculating from the bottom of the pot including the root system to the top of the tree's foliage.  As our trees are continually trimmed & trained to encourage new growth and styling, height can vary from season to season.  As daylight is shorter and the sun's rays are weaker in the Winter, certain species of trees may appear less full, sparse and shorter in the colder months, much like the trees outside in nature.  This is a temporary situation, is perfectly normal and does not lessen the beauty and value of your tree.  Most species grow rapidly in the Spring and Summer months.

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