Bonsai Growing Guides
The Basics of Bonsai Care - part 2 |
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In my last guide I looked at some of the factors used to select the correct tree for a location in your home. This month, I will look at the easy ways to keep your bonsai alive and happy and I will offer a few suggestions regarding the choice of plants for the beginning bonsai enthusiast.
Improper watering is the most common reason new bonsai growers lose a tree. The proper way to water a bonsai tree is to saturate the soil when it is watered and to then let the soil dry out between waterings. A simple way to water this way is to immerse the bonsai pot in a container of water so the surface of the water is ½-3/4" inch above the soil level. The soil will begin to bubble. After several minutes the bubbles will stop, this is the signal that the soil is saturated. When the soil dries out again, water again.
Bonsai trees may also be top watered with a watering can, but remember to saturate the soil when watering. The best way to insure this is to water the tree two or three times over a five to ten minute period until water runs freely from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. How frequently a bonsai tree requires watering will depend on the time of year, the growth stage of the tree, whether the tree is potbound and the temperature and location of the tree.
There are two easy ways to determine when the tree needs to be watered. The first is to take five seconds daily and feel the moss, which is on the surface of the soil. If the moss feels soft and damp, the tree does not need water. If the moss feels hard and dry, it is time to water. Another method of checking is to pick up the rock in the top of the bonsai pot. If the bottom of the rock is moist and damp, the tree is fine for the day. If the bottom of the rock is almost dry, it is time to water.
When selecting a bonsai the most important thing to be mindful of is that the more closely the climate that the tree is native to can be duplicated, the happier the plant will be and the better it will grow. There are three broad climate classifications of bonsai trees.
The first climate classification is tropical/subtropical. These trees are native to the warm climates of the earth and require a minimum temperature of at least 58 to 60F at all time. They will make excellent bonsai when grown indoors in Maine during the cold parts of the year.
The most forgiving of the tropical selection is the Crassula arborescens, or Jade tree. This tree is native to the deserts of southern Africa and is the bonsai of choice for those of us that tend to be absentminded with the watering can. It can go several weeks to several months without water and should be allowed to dry out thoroughly between waterings. It prefers a sunny spot and will do well in a south, west or east window.
Another easy to care for choice in this category is the genus Ficus. There are over 600 species of Ficus native to the tropical rainforest ecosystems of our Earth. Many different species are commonly grown as bonsai, the best known of which is Ficus benjamina, the benjamina or weeping fig. Ficus trees are very flexible as to light levels and can be grown in locations from no direct sun to full sun for most of the day. They will be happiest in an east, west or north window. They should be allowed to become moderately dry between waterings.
A third tropical species commonly grown as bonsai is Serissa foetida, or serissa. This tree is native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and southern China. The best feature of this species is that it will bloom reliably throughout the year. They will be in bloom an average of 6 to 8 months during the year. Serissas do best in an east or west window having approximately one half day of full sun. This tree will tolerate low light levels as well, but need some direct sun to stimulate flower bud production. The trees should be allowed to become moderately dry between waterings.
The second broad climate classification is temperate. These bonsai are native to climates of the earth which have four seasons and require a winter dormancy or rest period of 8 to 12 weeks at a temperature of 30 to 45F during the winter. Good places to give temperate and cold weather trees their dormancy requirements include unheated basements, unheated rooms in a house and refrigerators. If the temperature stays below 45F during the dormant period, the trees may be kept in the dark since they are fully dormant and do not require light to carry on their normal metabolism when dormant.
Easy to grow temperate trees include most of the evergreen species grown as bonsai. Junipers and cypress trees are perhaps the best known species. These two species of trees can also be grown successfully indoors as long as the night temperatures during the winter are around or below 50F. In this situation, the trees will need to be kept in the light of a window during the day since they will not be fully dormant. An unheated room or sunroom are two good winter locations for these species of trees.
The third classification is cold weather trees. They are native to areas of the world which have long, cold winters (like Maine). Cold weather trees are a little more challenging for the beginner since they must have a cold dormant period. They will not be happy and will probably die if they do not get their cold winter rest. Cold weather species commonly grown are maples, pines, and spruces.
Growing bonsai is not difficult, it is just different than growing common house plants. The more closely the native climate of the tree can be replicated, the happier the tree will be, the better it will grow and the more enjoyable the experience for the grower. It is an enjoyable and satisfying way to bring your cultivation of woody plants into your home and can truly be a twelve month gardening experience.
Until next time happy gardening and good luck in all your botanical endeavors.
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