5 Japanese Lessons To Grow And Care A Bonsai Tree At Home

Bonsai or “the trees on the tray” – are a Japanese creation: with their proverbial prominence, Japanese artists in gardening have obtained the miniature “replica” of the most diverse apartment or exterior plants. And I was curious about this fact, that’s why I tried to learn tray gardening!

Small but strong

Bonsai trees will remain small (from a few centimeters to 1,50 m) due to the low volume of soil in the vessel, but also because of cuts and treatments applied to them. Spectacular is that, despite their small size, they make flowers of the same size as normal plants.

5 basic lessons to grow bonsai in pots

► During summer, the optimal watering interval is every 1-2 days, or even daily, and in winter between 4-7 days.
► Cutting the aerial part follows the pattern specific to the bonsai species. The roots are cut off when transplanted – every 2-3 years (removing a third of the length or just pinching them).
► The soil: it will be acid for azaleas, camels, conifers; and normal soil for the other bonsai. In both cases, light, loose ground is needed.
► Bonsai outdoor species (conifers, maple, piracant, lime, ginkgo biloba, yew, etc.) can stay outside during winter under specific conditions (be careful to protect the pot, not to freeze the roots). It’s advisable to wrap the pot in plastic foil, and “dress it up” in a plastic bag.
► Bonsai obtained from plants grown as houseplants love to stay out during summer, but you have to protect them from that burning heat of midday.

Image Credits: Istockphoto

5 japanese lessons to grow and care a bonsai tree at home

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