Growing Bonsai
Growing bonsai is an ancient tradition that has been around for centuries, and it’s not hard to understand why.
Growing bonsai is a beautiful hobby that can be done by almost anyone with the right dedication, patience, and time. Whether you have 10 minutes in your lunch break or after dinner before bedtime each day, there are plenty of ways you can care for your bonsai tree so they thrive in their new home for years to come.
The following article will detail how to start from scratch with a brand new cutting or seedling, what to do when you get it home if it’s too big right away (and how long until it should be planted), common problems associated with indoor growing conditions, and a few helpful tips on making sure your bonsai tree has a long life in its new container!
Why is Growing Bonsai a Good Hobby?
There are many reasons that millions of people around the world have a bonsai in their homes, but what is it that makes them so popular?
First and foremost, growing bonsai trees provides a relaxing activity for individuals who need a hobby to unwind from work or other stressors in life. In addition, they add beauty to any home or office décor while also serving as decoration.
Secondly, you can do it with almost any schedule! Some people grow bonsai trees in their lunch breaks at work while others spend late evenings tending to them before bedtime every day; the choice is entirely up to you how much time you’d like to dedicate each week!
Lastly, there’s no reason why anyone should have to grow bonsai trees alone. There are many clubs, online communities, and even courses in colleges that teach people how to grow their own bonsai trees; take advantage of these resources!
How To Start Growing a Bonsai Tree
Growing a bonsai tree can be very rewarding for people of all ages, so it’s definitely something you should consider if you have spent time around them or just enjoy how they look.
To begin growing from scratch, the first thing you’ll want to do is select a plant that will grow into the type of bonsai tree you’re trying to achieve. There are different varieties depending on what overall shape and style of trees you prefer; some popular ones include: ficus (weeping fig juniper, maple, pine, or crabapple
Once you find the right tree for your needs, the next step is to choose where in your home it will be placed–and what size pot will fit in that space. If you’re growing in an apartment with limited space, consider getting a small bonsai pot so you can keep your plant on a desk or shelf.
Keep in mind that when they are kept inside, these smaller trees need more frequent watering than larger ones.
On the other hand, if you have plenty of room and want to decorate an outdoor patio area or garden with them, choose a container twice as big around (but not much taller) than its circumference at full growth; most indoor varieties require repotting every 1-2 years, while outdoor ones can be repotted every 3-4 years.
After the pot is chosen, you’ll want to fill it with rich soil that drains well so your plant receives just the right amount of water on a regular basis.
For some varieties, like ficus and palms, this will mean top-dressing the soil with peat or bark chips; for most other trees suitable for indoors (like maples), this means buying bonsai soil at a gardening store–or make your own by mixing equal parts organic compost (e.g., leaf mold) and coarse sand together in a large bucket before filling the pot!
General Growing Considerations
When growing bonsai indoors, you should be very cautious with the amount of water that is given to them on a daily basis. This means watering about once per day, but it doesn’t mean being too generous!
In general, you will want to check your bonsai (indoors) and see if it needs any watering at least twice per week; sometimes they don’t need anything for over a week, and other times they may need some in just 5 or 6 days.
The best way to tell if this plant needs additional water is by looking at its soil – if it’s dry an inch below the surface (wiggle your finger into the soil until you get there), then it’s time to add some! Another good rule of thumb is gently tugging the trunk of your plant downward – if it resists, then it’s time to water.
You’ll want to avoid watering overhead with a spray bottle because this method doesn’t penetrate the soil evenly. If you’re growing these plants outside, just plan on them needing regular moistening about once per week (except during periods of dormancy or extreme heat/cold); using drip irrigation is the best way to provide the right amount of water over an extended period of time without worrying about any runoff.