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Bonsai For Beginners F A Q
Can any tree be used as a Bonsai?Basically yes, but some trees or shrubs are better than others. Generally trees with smaller leaves are better at producing miniature trees with small leaves, but it is very rewarding to gradually reduce the size of a larger species like, sycamore and horse chestnut.Does the tree need to be in a special pot?Any shallow container can be used for Bonsai, but the pot is part of the whole presentation of the tree so it should complement the tree. For training purposes I usually use rectangular plastic pots which are very durable and can be reused many times. When a tree has matured it can then be transferred into a pot that suits the tree. See Styles Can you grow a Bonsai from seed?There are a number of seed kits about, to "grow your own Bonsai", but would you grow a tree in your garden by planting seeds? Maybe, but it would be very slow. If you buy a young sapling from either a reputable Bonsai dealer or even a garden centre, you can then begin to train it. However this is a long process and the hobby is usually forgotten about before any results. The best bet is to invest a little more in a tree a few years older which has been partly trained by an expert. When you start to build a collection you can start to grow from seeds.What do I need to get started?A place in a garden or balcony which provides light and shelter from strong winds. A young seedling, a water sprayer can be useful for spraying the soil so as not to disturb it. Also foliage requires constant spraying. A pair of wire cutters (electrical ones are OK) come in handy for snipping leaves and branches. Apart from your stock that's all you need!Can my Bonsai be left outdoors?Yes, most Bonsai can be left outdoors. But, be careful where the weather is severe, bring them into some sort of shelter. Heavy snow can damage branches just by the weight of the snow. Most trees prefer the yearly cycle of summer to winter and deciduous trees use this to shed and grow new leaves. How can I identify what my tree is?I use regular tree recognition books. There are a number of them about which looks at the leaf shape, colour and whether it is deciduous or evergreen. What species do you recommend to start with?For indoor trees one of the easiest is a Serrisa, however don't water it and it will quickly die. Any species that has naturally small leaves gives good results as the miniaturization process is started for you. Can you use artificial light?I have had no first hand experience with this but I would have thought it would work quite well. How much time do I need to spend looking after the trees?Well this depends how much time you have. Watering is the most important thing, and living in England we are rarely short of rain, so this does the work for you. Regular trimming can be done as and when. It does the trees good to have a little free growth once in a while, so you don't have to be trimming all the time. |
