Bonsai In Your Backyard - Getting Started The Easy Way

Copyright (c) 2006 Erik A. Olsen
Bonsai Gardener
http://www.bonsaigardener.org/

Bonsai is literally the art form of training a plant or tree from
its original size down to miniature form.  The bonsai is then
grown in a pot or container and through years of training,
sculpted into various styles, depending on the type of tree and
personal preference.  If you are just getting started with an
interest in bonsai, we want to start by recommending you take
care when buying your first plants.  One of the most important
steps in getting started with bonsai is choosing the right plant
or tree.  You definitely want to start with a healthy species for
the best chance of success.

One of the most important aspects of buying any bonsai is
learning the proper way in which to care for it.  Bonsai are
unique in that most are intended for outdoor growth although they
can be grown indoors as well.  To achieve the beauty of the
miniature plant or tree, specific care and training is required,
which again, takes tremendous patience.  You might be able to
find healthy plants at your local nursery or gardening center
that would work well for bonsai but a better option is to work
with an actual bonsai grower.  This way, in addition to
purchasing the plant or tree, you are also being provided with
invaluable information for care.

The types of plants and trees generally used for bonsai are
intended for temperate climate.  That means that even if grown
indoors, they will need some time outdoors as well due to periods
of dormancy.  Keep in mind that you can choose certain plants and
trees to be grown indoors but again, working with a reputable
bonsai grower or nursery that specializes in bonsai is best,
guiding you to the appropriate species.  If you decide to go with
an indoor species, the bonsai will likely do best by having a
little afternoon sun and fresh air.

To create a beautiful bonsai, gentle but carefully planned
training is needed.  The interesting thing is that you could take
literally any cutting or seeds, plant them outside, and if left
alone, end up with a full size tree.  The difference with bonsai
is that the same cutting or seeds are trained as they begin to
grow, forced to stay small.  Then through a series of pruning,
trimming, and wire training, the appearance of the trunk, along
with size and density of the canopy, and the root system change.
Over time, as you continue to provide the proper training, your
tree will take shape into an actual bonsai.

The thing to remember is that this type of manipulation of the
trunk and branches takes time.  For this reason, the art form of
bonsai is not for everyone.  Instead, it is best accomplished by
someone with patience and even a slight creative side.  One of
the most important aspects of training any bonsai is the root
system.  With most trees, the root system is buried beneath the
soil and left alone.  However, with the creation of bonsai, the
roots are left alone for the first two to three years at which
time the tree is repotted.  To ensure the healthy growth of the
bonsai, most experts recommend you use special bonsai soil, which
has been perfectly blended with the appropriate nutrients.

Just as training, pruning, trimming, training, and potting is
important, fertilizing is also a huge factor when growing bonsai.
 The key with fertilizing any tree or plant being trained for
bonsai is to feed it while actively growing.  Although you will
find a number of quality fertilizer options on the market, a
soluble solution provided every 10 to 14 days is best.  The exact
blend of fertilizer would depend somewhat on the type of tree so
you want to work with a reputable company that will provide this
information.  To ensure the bonsai is absorbing the right amount
of nutrients needed, full strength fertilizer is recommended.

Another important aspect of starting your backyard bonsai is
water.  Learning to grow and train bonsai takes time.  This skill
is not something you just learn overnight but over years.
Therefore, mistakes will be made and adjustments required.  One
of the most common challenges is learning to correct way to water
the bonsai.  While that might sound simple, there is actually a
fine art to doing it right.  It is important to water your bonsai
from the top, allowing excess water to run out through the drain
holes.  Then, the soil should be allowed to dry almost
completely.  An easy way to check this is to stick your finger
down about one to two inches into the soil.  If you can fee
moisture, then do not water.

The frequency of watering your bonsai will depend on a number of
things as well.  Obviously, if you live in Texas where the
climate is hot, then you would expect the tree to need water more
often opposed to living on the east coast where temperatures are
cooler.  As with all aspects of growing bonsai, the first year
will probably be the most challenging.  During this time, you
will be learning the exact care needed, making the required
adjustments along the way.

To be successful at your own backyard bonsai, you have to
understand the basics first.  The interesting thing about growing
bonsai is that overall the process is not difficult.  However,
the process is precise.  For this reason, expect to make a few
mistakes.  Remember, you want the experience with growing and
training bonsai to be fun and exciting, not a dreaded chore.
Often, bonsai experts will recommend you purchase an inexpensive
plant or tree for your first bonsai.  That way, if you make a
fatal mistake, you have not lost too much money.

The truth is that in addition to basic care of a backyard bonsai,
the process of learning the various styles is something that can
take years and years to achieve.  Although you might want to see
results immediately, you need to understand that with bonsai,
this is simply not the case.  Take your time and be patient.
Once you get past the basic care of the bonsai to include
feeding, watering, pruning, trimming, and so on, you can then
choose the style for training.  Keep in mind that certain styles
work best with certain trees so determine the style that will
give you the best results.

Now, when you do purchase your first plant or tree, after taking
it home, just leave it in the container it came in.  The tree
will remain in this container for the first two to three years,
allowing the root system to develop.  While the bonsai is in the
container, you would begin the process of cleaning off new
branches growing out of the trunk, clipping off wild spears from
the canopy, and just keeping the tree neat and orderly in
appearance.  Remember, you are not training the tree so much
during this time but keeping it pruned and trimmed so it will
remain miniature.

Another important consideration associated with pruning the
canopy of the tree is the amount of foliage you remove.
Typically, experts recommend that you never remove more than
one-third of the tree’s canopy in a single season.  Instead,
simply keep the canopy clipped back, producing a small, compact
appearance.  When you first get started pruning and trimming, do
not expect much in the form of appearance.  In fact, chances are
your backyard bonsai will look a little shabby.  This is
perfectly normal and over time, will change.  The key with bonsai
is to accept that the first two to three years are going to be
very basic in keeping the tree trimmed.  Although you are not
training the tree in an actual style, you are training it to
remain small.

Finally, growing bonsai in the backyard also means working with
the trunk.  Typically, a bonsai has a single trunk, which over
time is shaped.  However, some styles of bonsai do include two
trunks or even more.  Take the forest or group style as an
example.  In this case and as the name suggests you could have 5
to 12 trees if you want, creating a “forest”, or “group”.  Now,
working with this style obviously is more for the advanced bonsai
enthusiast but it certainly gives you a goal.  As you begin the
process of growing and training a bonsai, if you stick with it
faithfully, you will be pleasantly surprised by the results.

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Erik A. Olsen teaches Bonsai Mastery techniques for the
beginners. Read more about easy bonsai growing techniques at:
http://www.bonsaigardener.org/