Ground Cover for Bonsai Trees

If you're interested in bonsai, you've probably noticed that they often feature attractive ground cover that adds tremendously to the overall effect. Moss is the most common material used, but there are others as well. Ground cover not only adds to the beauty of the bonsai, it also serves a useful purpose. It helps to retain water and hold the soil in the pot.

If you a bonsai beginner, you need to realize that there's a certain technique you need to follow when adding moss to your bonsai tree. If you don't do it right, it can become lumpy, which certainly isn't what you're looking for visually.

Start by cutting the moss away from where it's growing by using a sharp knife. Avoid taking any more soil than you have to. Take the moss and place it in a paper lined container. Moisten it a bit, and then take away any remaining soil. Sharp scissors will be useful in this task.

Next you need to roughen the surface of the soil in your bonsai pot. Then, using long handed tweezers, take a tuft of moss and insert it into the soil. Don't place the moss against the trunk. After you have planted all the moss, sprinkle some dry soil over top of it and press it down gently. After a while, the moss will start to grow evenly across the surface of the soil.

Moss isn't the only ground cover you can use for your bonsai tree. Baby tears, for example, is a great choice because it's fast growing and hardy. It's also very attractive. However, you will need to control it because it can tend to take over.

Another popular plant used for ground cover is Kyoto Dwarf Mondo Grass. This is a fine-leafed cover that is native to Korea and Japan. This plant also grows quickly and will need to be trimmed frequently.

With these types of ground covers, it's important that you don't allow them to completely take over your bonsai. They need to be constantly trimmed and controlled.

If a living ground cover doesn't suit your preferences, consider using iron stones. They're very small and inexpensive, and lend a very finished appearance without the need for constant trimming.

Lighting Tips for Growing Indoor Bonsai

Indoor bonsai are generally considered to be bonsai trees that are grown inside the house or in a greenhouse. They can also be grown outside but taken indoors in the cold seasons. Some people say that there isn't an actual indoor bonsai tree, because they need some exposure to outdoor elements such as full sunlight, wind, rain, and the change of seasons. It can be very difficult to replicate these conditions in an indoor environment. As well, it can be detrimental to the health of your plant to keep in indoors all the time.

However, this doesn't mean you can't grow bonsai indoors. As a matter of fact, if you pay careful attention to their needs, they can flourish in an indoor environment. Here are some tips to help you properly care for an indoor bonsai tree.

* Indoor bonsai need sufficient quantities of light. Locate them near a window that receives direct sun throughout a good portion of the day.

* If you don't have a good source of natural light in your home, try using artificial lighting. Just make sure you're using the right kind. You need a special lamp that is created specifically for growing plants. A regular light bulb or even fluorescent lighting is insufficient. Your bonsai will become sickly and weak.

* If your indoor bonsai is placed near a window, you need to turn it regularly in order to ensure that all sides of the tree get equal amounts of light.

* If your bonsai tree is meant to bear fruit, the need for sunlight is especially critical if you want it to flower and produce.

There are some common myths about the lighting requirements of indoor bonsai. Some people believe that an indoor bonsai has to be kept indoors or under completely shaded during its early growth stages. This is inaccurate. Bonsai need natural light right from the start.

Another inaccurate belief is that indoor bonsai should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The truth is that all bonsai require sunlight, water, and appropriate nutrients - how much of each depends on the particular species that you're growing. So you need to research the particular needs of the type of bonsai that you're growing to make sure it gets what it needs in order to thrive.

A Look at the Various Bonsai Styles

There are five traditional styles that you can shape your bonsai into as it grows. Some styles are perfect for beginners, while others are more appropriate for experienced bonsai artists. The style you choose should also be appropriate for the species you're growing. You want your tree to look the same as the full size version. Here's a look at the five basic styles.

1. Formal Upright. This is also called the Chokkan style. This style is best left to the experts because it's relatively difficult to achieve. It features a trunk that is perfectly straight and tapers naturally and evenly from base to apex. Its branches are symmetrically spaced. Recommended species: Juniper, Larch, and Pine.

2. Informal Upright. In this style, the trunk of the bonsai is bent slightly to the left or the right. Neither the trunk nor the branches should be pointing towards the viewer. Recommended species: Beech, Japanese Maple, and Trident Maple.

3. Slanting. Here the trunk leans at a noticeable angle, and can be either straight or curved. Heavy roots are encouraged to grow on the opposite side of from which the trunk leans. This provides support for the angled growth. Recommended species: Conifer.

4. Cascade. This is a lovely style that presents an image of branches seeking the light. The tip of the bonsai tapers below the bottom of the base of the pot. Recommended species: Those that are not strongly upright by nature.

5. Semi-Cascade. In a natural environment you will see this style among trees that overhang water or grow on a cliff. The tip of the bonsai projects over the rim of the pot but doesn't drop below its base. Exposed roots will help to balance the tree. Recommended species: Juniper, Cedar, and Flowering Cherry.

In order to truly master the art of bonsai styling, you need to observe trees in their natural environment and examine their growth patterns. When you are ready to start styling your bonsai, take a look at what it looks like naturally and that will help you choose the most suitable style. Start by learning the traditional styles, and over time you can modify it to give it your own personal flair. After all, bonsai is an art, not just a hobby, and you should be able to express yourself through it.

Caring for Your Bonsai Season by Season

Bonsai trees need a considerable amount care and attention. You need to regularly water, fertilize, repot, and prune (both branches and roots). Some of these tasks are carried out seasonally. For instance, you should repot and prune the roots either at the start of spring or the very end of the winter months. Here's a look at what's involved in caring for your bonsai, season by season.

Winter: In the wintertime, your bonsai needs to be protected from icy winds and cold temperature. Many people bring their outdoor bonsai inside for these months. If your winter isn't that severe, you might be able to leave it outside, but you will need to protect it carefully from wind and frost. If your bonsai inadvertently receives frost damage, wait until new buds appear before you trim or prune it again. Don't fertilizer your bonsai in winter. Remember to keep watering it, though.

Spring: Spring is the season when your bonsai will start to show new growth. This is when you'll want to do your repotting and styling. You'll prune the roots and repot towards the very end of the dormant season. As well, this is when you will fertilize it. Snip off all flowers that have finished blooming. Keep an eye on new buds and snip them off if they are distorting the shape of your tree. Check the requirements of your particular species to make sure you're trimming it properly.

Summer: Shelter your bonsai from too much sun exposure in the summertime. When you repot in the spring, put the bonsai in a larger pot so they have room to grow through the summer. Many people like to arrange their bonsai in a grouping. Just be sure to leave enough room between the plants for proper air circulation. Excessive growth at the top should be pruned frequently. Flowering bonsai will require high phosphate fertilizer during the summer months to keep them in bloom.

Fall: Prune your bonsai according to the requirements of your species. You can continue to give flower bonsai high phosphate fertilizer. Some species should be wired in the fall.

Your level of commitment and effort that goes into caring for your bonsai will be reflected in a healthy, attractive plant. The satisfaction you'll receive from a successful bonsai tree will be worth it all and more.