outdoor | How to Take Care of a Bonsai Tree

How to Choose Bonsai Pottery for Your Tree

January 15, 2015 by Bonsai Tree Care Leave a Comment

Whether you’re new to Bonsai, or have cared for a Bonsai tree for years, there are many factors that should be considered when selecting pottery for your Bonsai tree.

Bonsai are typically planted in small pots, often imported from Japan or China. The pot you choose, however, should be considered from a variety of aspects. Here are a few tips to get you started on finding the right Bonsai pottery for your tree, environment, and budget.

General Guidelines

As mentioned above, Bonsai are generally potted in small, Japanese or Chinese pots. Japanese pottery is known for its high quality, but they can often be quite pricey. They can be quite elegant however, with a variety of options for glazed and natural pots. Chinese pots are generally cheaper, though quality has been increasing over the last few years. Chinese antique pots can also be attained, though they are very expensive and incredibly rare.

Old Bonsai trees can be potted in much smaller pots since they are no longer being trained. Old trees have had their roots pruned and transferred from larger to smaller pots many times, and should be adapted to thriving in a small pot. If you own an aged tree, a smaller pot could be a good option for you.

Younger trees, however, need more room to grow, as their roots are still undergoing the training process. They should be planted in larger pots, and will need to be placed in smaller and smaller pots as the training process progresses. These pots can be found quite inexpensively online.

Pot Sizes and Styles

Bonsai pots are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors. What you choose is partly aesthetical and monetary preference, and partly depending on the age and climate of the tree.

Larger pots should be selected for younger trees, and they should be potted in the less expensive pots as they will need to be changed frequently during the training process. Once the tree has matured, a nicer, and more permanent pot can be selected.

The pot for an aged Bonsai tree should be approximately 2/3 the height of the tree in width. The depth should be approximately the width of the base of the trunk, though if you own a young tree, or one with a very small trunk, you may want to purchase one deeper than the trunk.

Whatever size and style you choose, be sure that it is large enough to maintain the health of the tree.

Price Range

The price range for a bonsai pot can vary greatly. As previously stated, if your tree is still in the training process, you will want to purchase an inexpensive pot for your tree until it reaches a matured state. If your pot has reached this stage of maturation, congratulations! Now would be an excellent time to invest in a quality pot that can last you for years to come!

Depending on the size and style of the tree, as well as your own preference, the pot you choose can range in price from around $10 to several hundred or more. High-quality and reasonably priced pots can be easily obtained for $40 or less.

If you are desiring a more extravagant pot to stand out, however, those can add an element of luxury and refinement to whichever area you choose to house your tree. A high-end Japanese pot or antique Chinese pot may serve you well.

Aesthetics

Beyond the price and circumstantial needs for your selected pot, the pottery you select is a very individual choice. Certain types of trees are better suited for certain pots, but here are a few aesthetical considerations you might want to look at:

· Shape: Bonsai pottery comes in a variety of shapes. Before you select a certain one, it is important to note that “masculine” trees fare better in angular pots, whereas the “feminine” variety, which are more gentle in shape will do better in a round or oval pot.

· Color: Bonsai pottery comes in many different colors as well. You should consider the style of your tree as well as the space in which you plan to keep your tree.

· Glazed vs. Unglazed (natural) Pots: In most cases, the preference for an unglazed or a glazed pot is purely individual preference, but certain trees – such as conifers and pine trees – may fare better in a more natural (or unglazed) pot. You should never use a bright glazed pot unless your tree has fruits or flowers. Before you select one over the other, be sure to consider the type of tree you have and if your particular breed would fare better in one over the other.

· Matters of Design: As far as the design of your Bonsai pot goes, the pot is simply the means by which you maintain your tree. It is the tree, after all, you want to stand out. Don’t pick a pot that will outshine your tree. The tree itself should stand out in magnificence above the casing you choose to put it in.

Where to Buy

Now that you’ve considered your options, you’re probably wondering where to start looking for your Bonsai pottery.

Pots can be obtained from a variety of sources all over the world. You can import very high-end pots direct from China and Japan. You can find specialty stores both online and in certain areas. You may be able to find decent quality pots through the nursery or company where you purchased your tree. However, if you purchased locally, the selection may be limited.

The easiest way to buy and find your perfect Bonsai pot is online. There are a variety of places you can find them and doing so online simplifies the process by letting you compare hundreds – possibly thousands – of pots within a matter of minutes. If you know exactly what you want, you can compare several merchants to find the best price for the pot for your tree, lifestyle, and preferences.

How to prepare a bonsai for winter

May 21, 2014 by Bonsai Tree Care Leave a Comment

Outdoor bonsai must live outside because they need a dormant period in order to survive. These trees have a pigment, called phytochrome, which resides in the leaves and bark of the tree. It works as a timer, sensing the amount of light it receives during the day, to get the tree ready to shut down. As a tree prepares for winter, it absorbs the nutrients from the dying leaves and stockpiles them for spring growth. The trees sit and wait, counting the days until spring arrives.

It is important to note that you MUST KEEP THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BONSAI POT IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND ALL WINTER. If you keep your bonsai on a display stand all winter, the wind hitting the pot will drop the soil temperature drastically. This can lead to the roots getting too cold and they will die. Another note is to keep the dirt moist at all times. Most beginners hold back watering during the winter because they are afraid of the dirt freezing. When the dirt is wet, it can freeze, and it takes a lot to get ice below 32 degrees. Ice acts as insulation and helps keep the roots warmer than it is outside if temperatures drop below freezing.

Common practice is to bury your bonsai in the pot in a hole for the winter. Bury the pot all the way into the dirt and place mulch up to the first branch of your tree. Being below the ground will help keep the bonsai warm throughout the winter. The mulch will act as insulation and also help trap moisture. We do a trench every year and line the pots up side by side down the trench. After placing the pots in the trench, we fill in around the pots with the soil that we removed. We then place an inch of mulch over the top of the soil. Using this method, we have never lost a bonsai to the hard Boston winters.

Once spring arrives, the phytochrome sends the signal that it is time to get growing again. The tree uses the stockpiled nutrients to form and open new buds. Once the buds are open and the tree begins to produce energy on its own, you will see the new growth begin to form.

Crape Myrtle Bonsai

Crape Myrtle makes an excellent bonsai because of the flowers in spring and contrast in fall. During the spring, this shrub displays small red, pink, or white flowers. The petals are known to be crinkled and look like crepes, hence the name. It is mostly know for the silver bark it displays with red accents when peeling. This contrast looks especially beautiful in the fall with the dark green foliage.

Watering Crape Myrtle Bonsai

This tree needs to be watered frequently throughout the growing season. They are rapid growers and need an excess amount of water to keep growth healthy. Slow down watering through fall and winter when the tree is dormant.

Placement of your Crape Myrtle Bonsai

This species of shrub enjoys full sun outdoors year round. If you are in an area where winter temperatures drop below 20 degrees, protect your tree during the winter in a shed or unheated garage.

Training Crape Myrtle Bonsai

It is important to note that the flowers grow at the end of each shoot. Pruning this tree before fall can produce unwanted results. The area you trim will no grow flowers until next season. To encourage rapid thickening, this tree is commonly trimmed back severely in the fall, then allowed to grow freely the next year. Wire this tree during the growing season, before the branches become too hard to work with.

Repotting Crape Myrtle Bonsai

Repot this tree in early spring, before the flowers bloom. This will give it time to recover before it expends all its energy on the flowers. Trim back surface roots while repotting every one to three years. Keep an eye on the roots and repot when the tree becomes root bound.

Fertilizing Crape Myrtle Bonsai

Feed this tree with a well balanced fertilizer every other week during the growing season to encourage new growth and replace nutrients. Slow down to once a month in the winter. If you have some tomato fertilizer, alternate the balanced fertilizer and the low nitrogen fertilizer. This will help produce more buds during the year.

Wisteria Bonsai

The Wisteria tree is often used in bonsai because of the clumps of fragrant flowers it produces. These fast growing, climbing trees develop into gorgeous bonsai under the right conditions. The rapid growth thickens the truck very quickly, making the tree look very old. When in bloom, this bonsai will stop anyone in their tracks.

Watering Wisteria Bonsai

Wisteria like the sun, and therefore dry out very quickly. Check this tree at least once a day for moisture and water if needed. We recommend that you submerge the tree in water up to the brim of the pot for a few minutes. This will allow the soil to absorb optimum moisture before you allow the excess to drain.

Placement of your Wisteria Bonsai

Your Chinese or Japanese Wisteria bonsai requires full sun, but shade from midday sun. The amount of sun directly determines the amount of flowers it produces. The more sun the tree receives, the more beautiful it will be during the bloom season. This tree requires a dormant winter period to survive.

Training Wisteria Bonsai

Wisteria make perfect formal upright, slanting, and cascade style bonsai. The flowers and foliage tend to droop down from the weight. This species will grow fast and vigorously, so you will need to pinch back unwanted growth often. You should check your tree weekly during the growing season to remove growth as early as you can.

Repotting Wisteria Bonsai

Repot this tree every two to three years, trimming back a third of the surface roots. This will give the tree more room to grow new roots. Your tree will stop expanding and stunt growth if it runs out of room to grow roots. Wisteria enjoy soil that retains some water, as they do not like to dry out.

Fertilizing Wisteria Bonsai

Your Wisteria should be fed with fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, but high in potassium and phosphate. Feed the tree every week AFTER it has flowered. This is significantly more than most bonsai, but is needed to support the tree during rapid growth. Do not slow down fertilization in an attempt slow growth; this will only hurt your miniature tree.

Dogwood Bonsai

Dogwood trees are native to Eastern Asia, and make for gorgeous bonsai trees. These trees produce large four-petaled flowers in late spring, producing an extremely flashy tree. After the flowers die back, a large red berry remains. The trunk of this tree has exfoliating bark which gives it an old look very early. This tree is one of the most beautiful outdoor bonsai species to grow.

Watering Dogwood Bonsai

This bonsai requires an immense amount of sunlight. That, in turn, requires frequent watering to compensate for the extra drying in the soil. Water your bonsai by placing the pot in a tub of water for a few minutes. Let the excess water run out before returning the pot to its original location.

Placement of your Dogwood Bonsai

Dogwoods are outdoor bonsai, and will not survive without a dormant season. You can bring your bonsai indoors for special occasions, just ensure that you return it after a few days. Dogwoods enjoy as much sunlight as you can give them.

Training Dogwood Bonsai

Pinch back new growth to maintain shape in areas that are already at desired foliage levels. Wiring should be done in fall when the branches have already expanded. Watch wires closely to ensure they are not overgrown. This will cause scarring on your branches if you are not careful.

Repotting Dogwood Bonsai

Repot this species when the root system has filled the pot. This is typically referred to as the tree being “rootbound.” When this tree believes that it has no room to expand its roots, it will also stop growing above the soil to compensate. This is their natural ability to ensure that they do not outgrow the root support. This typically occurs every two years, and should be performed in early spring. Repot Dogwoods with a soil with plenty of drainage.

Fertilizing Dogwood Bonsai

As with any bonsai, fertilizer is vital to having a healthy tree. Fertilizer replenishes the nutrients washed away with the increased watering. This tree should be fed every other week during the growing season, then monthly through fall and winter.

Bald Cypress Bonsai

Bald Cypress make for unique bonsai because of the shape and foliage. Needles grow on branches in two rows, and survive well into winter before falling. These trees are outdoor bonsai that need a dormant season to stay alive. This species naturally grows in wet, swampy soils, and the same should be used for bonsai purposes. It is common for bonsai trainers to keep this tree submerged up to the pot at all times.

Watering Bald Cypress Bonsai

Bald Cypress need to be watered daily because of their need for full sun. Full sun will dry the soil quickly, and this tree likes moist environments. Water your bonsai by submerging it in water for a few minutes and then letting excess water drain out. This watering technique will allow the soil to soak up optimum amounts of water.

Placement of your Bald Cypress Bonsai

This species thrives in full sun, so provide as much sun as possible.

Training Bald Cypress Bonsai

Cypress are typically planted in group plantings, formal upright, and informal upright styles. Naturally, these trees grow large, tall, limbless, trunks. This is a problem in bonsai, so the truck needs to be cut to the desired height. This kind of tree grows so fast that wiring is difficult to achieve without scaring. Tying branches off to hold them in desired location is preferable to wiring. Sometimes, you may need to cut a V-shaped notch in the “armpit” of the branch to allow you to bend it downward. Make this cut small enough that the bend will close the gap and it will heal. Maintain the shape by pinching back new growth regularly.

Repotting Bald Cypress Bonsai

Potting and root pruning should be done in early spring. Make sure that the little green nubs have not begun to sprout yet. Repot this tree in a heavy soil with good water retention. You want to keep the roots as moist as possible, and it’s impossible to make them rot.

Fertilizing Bald Cypress Bonsai

A miniature tree requiring this much water will wash nutrients away rapidly. You must replace these nutrients by feeding with a balanced fertilizer every other week throughout the growing season. You can slow fertilizing down to monthly after the growing season has ended.

Japanese White Pine Bonsai

Japanese White Pine trees make perfect bonsai specimen trees. They are primarily grown outdoors because they need a dormant winter period to survive. This species grows extremely slow in bonsai form, but is known to live a long time. They are very susceptible to disease and fungus, so additional care may be needed.

Watering Japanese White Pine Bonsai

This type of pine will need more water than others because it requires full sun. The more sun and heat a tree receives, the more the soil will dry out. Water your bonsai by soaking the soil, up to the brim of the pot, in a tub of water. Remove the tree after a few minutes and let the excess water drain out. You should never set a watering schedule for your bonsai, but this tree will likely need to be watered daily.

Placement of your Japanese White Pine Bonsai

This species of tree is best grown outdoors in a sunny area. . This is a primarily outdoor bonsai tree due to its need for a dormant season.

Training Japanese White Pine Bonsai

The needles of this species grow in clumps of 5, spawning the nickname “five needle pine.” Pinch new shoots back to a third of their length in spring. This will force each shoot to form multiple additional shoots off of the pruned shoot. Using this technique will force short internodes and make the tree look like a better representation of a large tree. In late autumn, leaving the wire on for about 6 months is fine; the slow growth rate allows for wire to stay on longer and helps increase success.

Repotting Japanese White Pine Bonsai

Root pruning is essential to producing a good foundation for this species. Cut back a quarter of the roots when repotting your Japanese White Pine tree. Repot this tree every two to three years in early spring.

Fertilizing Japanese White Pine Bonsai

Bonsai trees require a large amount of fertilizer to replenish the nutrients lost from the increased watering. White Pine are typically fed with a fertilizer designed for acid loving plants. If you know that your soil is already high in acidity, you may want to use a balanced fertilizer. Feed this tree monthly during the growing season to help encourage growth.

Japanese Black Pine Bonsai

Japanese Black Pine trees are known for their overall ability to survive barren conditions. The oldest known bonsai tree in the world is a Japanese Black Pine. These trees are perfect beginner bonsai because they can survive vacations and any other time the user may forget to water the tree. They grow dark green, small, and dense foliage supported by attractive branches and trunks. The bark begins to become fissured with age, adding to its beauty.

Watering Japanese Black Pine Bonsai

Your Japanese Black Pine tree is extremely drought tolerant. This means that they can go without watering for a small amount of time, perfect for travelers. Water often in the summer to help combat the heat. Misting may be necessary during summer months to protect the foliage from overheating.

Placement of your Japanese Black Pine Bonsai

Position your tree outdoors in full sun, where it will get good air circulation. It is best to rotate your tree occasionally to ensure all sides get even sunlight. Ignoring this could leave you with an unbalanced tree.

Training Japanese Black Pine Bonsai

Balancing the foliage of a Japanese Black Pine tree is an art form all its own. You will need to prune the tree in early spring. This will cause new buds to grow throughout spring. At the end of spring, pinch back those buds, forcing the tree to grow multiple buds in that same location. Then pinch back the healthy ones in areas that are already strong. In areas that are week, pinch back the weak buds so they will become stronger. It takes some practice to balance a Japanese Black Pine tree perfectly, but we haven’t ever had one come out ugly.

Repotting Japanese Black Pine Bonsai

Repot this species in spring right before the buds begin to open. This will allow the roots to grow with the new foliage. Japanese Black Pine are typically planted in a larger pot to help retain extra moisture for the roots. The soil used needs to be well-draining but also have water retention.

Fertilizing Japanese Black Pine Bonsai

Fertilize this tree with an acid-based fertilizer monthly during the growing season. This fertilizer will replace the much needed nutrients in the soil that are washed away from watering.

Trident Maple Bonsai

Trident Maple make beautiful bonsai due to their ability to adjust their leaf size. This outdoor bonsai is one of the best beginner bonsai, because they can be forgiving of mistakes. They produce vibrant colors in fall just before the leaves fall. This tree will live long and thrive if you meet its basic requirements of a Trident Maple bonsai.

Watering Trident Maple Bonsai

This species of tree is very drought tolerant, making them perfect for people who travel. That being said, we are better off not taking advantage of that trait if we can avoid it. This tree enjoys full sun, which will dry the soil quicker than most of your other trees. Water your bonsai by submerging the plant, up to the brim of the pot, in water for a few minutes. This will allow the soil to become completely drenched. Ensure that the tree is not over watered in winter, as this tree is susceptible to root rot.

Placement of your Trident Maple Bonsai

Your Trident Maple should be placed in full sun, or as much sun as possible. This tree is an outdoor bonsai because it needs a dormant season to survive.

Training Trident Maple Bonsai

Trident Maple are typically trained with a formal upright or informal upright style. These are the two styles that account for the tree’s natural growing pattern. Wire this tree as needed at the end of summer to beginning of fall. Ensure that you keep an eye on the wire because the branches will expand quickly. Pinch back excess growth to maintain shape. Defoliating this tree in early spring will produce vibrant colors in fall, at the expense of stunted growth.

Repotting Trident Maple Bonsai

Repot this bonsai every two years at the beginning of spring. Cut back up to half of the roots as needed to allow room for new root growth. This tree can survive much more root loss, but pushing the limit is not advised. Trident Maples enjoy a well-draining soil so the roots do not rot during winter.

Fertilizing Trident Maple Bonsai

This species prefers a high nitrogen fertilizer every other week. Continue this from the growing season all the way through the winter.

How to Care for a Juniper Bonsai

Juniper are one of the most commonly used species in bonsai for a variety of reasons. The first is that it is perfect for beginners. Juniper bonsai can survive an extra day or two if you forget to water them. This also makes them perfect for people who do a lot of traveling and may need to go a few extra days between watering. This allows people with the most hectic schedules to own a bonsai that produces impressive bark under a beautiful canopy.

Another reason they are popular is because of their natural tendency to grow close to the ground. This species is often used as ground cover, and naturally stays close to the ground. This makes them an excellent specimen for cascade bonsai because they are always growing downward. They also have the natural tendency to grow compact, making them look very established at a young age

The last reason that I will cover is because they can be used as indoor or outdoor bonsai. This doubles their popularity since they can be trained either way. As long as you can provide enough sunlight and a dormant period, they will be equally happy in either situation. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about your Juniper bonsai.

Juniper Bonsai Placement

It is important to remember that your Juniper is not an indoor plant, and should not be treated as one. They need to be provided the right amount of light and humidity, or they will not survive. Juniper bonsai can be grown either indoors or out, as long as they are forced into a dormant period. If grown indoors, they will need to be put somewhere cool that receives less light than normal. This gives them time to rest, and it is genetically necessary for this species to survive.

Whether your bonsai is indoors or outdoors, this species requires a lot of sunlight to support growth. It is best to make sure that your tree receives morning sunlight as early as possible. This will “wake the tree up” at the earliest point, and help encourage more growing time every day. Juniper bonsai should also be shaded from direct midday sunlight; too much exposure will burn the needles and cause a loss of foliage.

When to Water a Juniper Bonsai

Juniper are extremely popular because they are more forgiving of a missed watering every now and again. That being said, it is still a bonsai and does not have much soil to absorb water from. Check your bonsai every day by sticking a finger or chopstick into the soil to see how moist it is. Feel how heavy the pot it when wet and again when dry, and eventually you will be able to tell from that. You should expect to water this species at least once every other day due to the large amount of sunlight it receives.

To water a bonsai, you will find that there are many methods available for you to use. The oldest trick in the book is to put some water in a water bottle and dump it on. This will work if that’s all you are willing to do, but make sure that you water the entire surface and not just the middle. If possible, the best method is to submerge the entire pot in a tub of water for about a minute. After that, remove the pot and let the excess water drain out. This is the preferred technique by bonsai trainers, ensuring that all the soil gets sufficiently moist.

Juniper Bonsai Soil and Fertilization

Juniper species prefer a well draining soil that will allow airflow to the roots. Make sure that you use a soil that has a large percentage of arrogates that allow the water to flow quickly. If you water your Juniper bonsai and see water pooling at the surface, the soil drainage is not sufficient. Failure to do this will result in root rot, which will eventually kill the tree if not resolved.

Fertilizing is often the most overlooked aspect of bonsai training, especially for beginners. Bonsai are not grown by stunting growth, and failure to fertilize your tree will result in sacrificing older foliage to grow new. During the growing season, fertilize this species every other week with a balanced fertilizer with nitrogen. From fall to winter, slow down to feeding once a month.

Training a Juniper Bonsai

It’s hard to cover all the techniques of training a bonsai in a care article, so you will need to do a little more research on this. I will cover a few training aspects that are specific to this species, such as pinching back growth instead of cutting. With a Juniper bonsai, you will want to pinch back new growth, because cutting it back will cause the surrounding needles to die off. To do this, simply pluck the needles that you do not want out of the branch, leaving the ones that you want in place.

As far as branch growth, Juniper trees tend to grow as low to the ground as they can. For this reason, you will want to trim all branches that are growing downward to keep it looking like a tree. Juniper are also known for their porous wood that contours great into dead wood and rocks. For this reason, they are commonly trained into root over rock formations.