A beginner’s guide to growing bonsai

The immediate appeal of bonsai is that it is nature perfected in miniature. Each tree tells a story that seems as old as time – with its gnarled trunk, moss covered roots and mass of tiny leaves.

In Japanese, the word “bon” means pot or bowl and “sai” means a plant. But bonsai is more than that; it is an art form that goes back many centuries and its practice is not only about emulating nature but also feeding the spirit.

In many Japanese homes people meditate in their bonsai garden, as a way of falling still amid the hustle and bustle of their lives.

Bonsai can become a hobby that lasts a lifetime and bonsai enthusiasts describe growing bonsai as “extremely therapeutic”, because it is a way of slowing down to the pace of nature. It has also been found that hyperactive children, as well as those with Down Syndrome, calm down in the presence of bonsai.

From the age of eight, children can be introduced to bonsai. It teaches discipline, how to pay attention, and introduces them to a circle of people who believe in sharing knowledge rather than keeping it to themselves. Bonsai is also a form of gardening accessible to people in wheelchairs or who find the physical work of gardening (and the bending) difficult.

Hibiscus retains its large flowers, even if a bonsai.

Getting started

Ficus microcarpa (Ginseng) is regarded as the perfect tree for bonsai beginners because it is easy to care for, tolerates overwatering, and is “naturally” bonsai, with an interesting root system as well as aerial roots that hang down from the lower branches.

When choosing a tree, start by looking at its base and choose one that has character; it could be thickened, gnarled or with an interesting root formation. Then look at the lines of the tree. Do the branches have graceful lines, giving it a sense of movement?

Also assess the tree in terms of the five basic styles in Bonsai: formal upright, informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, and cascade. For a beginner, the informal upright style is usually the easiest to work with.

Choosing a container

Plants that are “bonsai ready” are easily available and can remain in their pots or be transplanted into a more traditional ceramic bonsai pot. The container in which you grow the Ginseng bonsai should complement the size, shape and nature of the plant and have drainage holes.

For a good balance between the size of the tree, choose a container that is generally two thirds the height of the tree or the width of its crown, depending on the style.

The depth, according to the Japanese school of bonsai, should correspond to the diameter of the trunk at its widest point. However, in South Africa it is better to choose a deeper pot because our growing season is longer.

How to display your bonsai

It can be grown outdoors, in a sheltered position that receives up to four hours of sun a day, or indoors, close to a north or east facing window that receives strong, indirect light.

Bonsai miniature roses need daily attention.

Growing tips

• Water once a day in summer and every three days in winter.

• Feed every six weeks with a liquid fertiliser like Nitrosol.

• Root pruning may only be necessary after two years.

• Consistently pinch back new leaves to keep the shape of the tree.

• The better the light, the smaller the leaves and the more compact the growth will be.

• Over-watering or drying out or cold can cause leaf drop.

• In winter keep the tree in a warm, sheltered place.

Other bonsai options

Acer palmatum (Dwarf Japanese Maple) has beautifully coloured foliage, and the growth is compact and densely branched.

Hibiscus surprisingly lends itself to bonsai and the result is a miniature plant with glossy leaves and bold, big flowers.

Carmona microphylla (Oriental Tea Tree) is ideal for indoors. It has shiny green foliage and pretty, white flowers in summer.

Miniature rose is not a normal subject for bonsai, but the Japanese have made it popular.

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