How to Grow a Bonsai Tree That Will Flourish

Once you purchase a bonsai tree, or the seeds to plant it, you’ll definitely want all the information you can get when it comes to growing bonsai. You’ll need to know how often to water your plant, which fertilizer is best, and how to prune your plant regularly in order to make sure your tree grows to be extremely healthy. Here are some tips that will help you to get started.

If you are growing your bonsai tree indoors, you’ll need to make sure that it is getting enough sunlight, since dark areas in your home could shorten the life of your plant. Keep your plant near the window so that it can get direct sunlight, and make sure that you keep your house at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime, since your tree will need to be in a warm climate. Humidity is also ideal, since this type of air is part of the environment that these plants naturally flourish in.

In order for a bonsai tree to maintain its appearance, you’ll have to give it regular trimmings and spray the leaves to maintain the color. However, be careful not to spray the leaves in spring and summer months since the leaves can be damaged from the humidity. As well, you need to carefully monitor the water levels of your plant. Both under watering and over watering can be harmful to your delicate tree.

In order to maintain the look and health of the tree when you’re growing bonsai, you’ll need to make sure that the tree is groomed or clipped, as well as fed the best nutrients. You can use a potent multivitamin to accomplish this; every few weeks you can place two pills in the soil so that the nutrients can dissolve into the fertilizer. Each season, you will have to inspect the roots of the tree and trim them if necessary.

It’s also very important to re-pot your tree every couple of years. The ideal season for re-potting is spring, since the weather will be fairly neutral (not too hot, not too cold) and it is more likely that your plant will develop faster in the new soil. This is also a good time to prune the roots, but be sure not to cut too much–only about one third from the tip of the root should be sufficient. If you want your plant to grow in the same shape or at the same pace, you should re-pot in a pot with a similar shape.

Helpful Hints For Bonsai Care

Lots of people wonder what all the fuss is about when it comes to growing a bonsai plant. They simply don’t understand exactly why it necessitates such a lot of watchful attention. However, the fact is, bonsai care is a skill requiring dedication and commitment. These tiny trees need loads of care and will soon die if they don’t receive it.

You need to keep in mind that you are dealing with a plant that is alive and growing, and that has to be painstakingly tended. Your tree requires environmental factors which are just right so it can grow healthily. Room temperature and lighting will have to be carefully watched, plus it’s essential that you give it the precise quantities of fertilizer and water. Here’s a look at several guidelines which will get you started on the road to a beautiful, flourishing bonsai tree.

1. Watering will have to be done cautiously so as to provide the roots precisely the quantity of moisture they need. The amount will depend on the variety you’re raising. You should also check to see that that your bonsai pot has good drainage, since water accumulating at the roots can destroy your plant.

2. Make sure that your indoor bonsai gets a suitable amount of light. Once again, this will differ by species. You will want to protect it from the direct sun when it’s at its brightest, typically between 11 am and 2 pm.

3. For a thriving tree, make certain it gets the vitamins and minerals it requires. Look for a fertilizer product that has been especially intended for indoor bonsai trees. It needs to be fed over the active growing stage only, not when it’s resting.

4. In order for your plant to remain healthy, you will need to transplant it to a new pot from time to time. Check the recommendations for the species you have to make sure you know how often to transplant it.

5. Tropical or subtropical bonsai plants have special requirements. Throughout the winter, you’ll need to keep them protected from freezing air. Make sure they’re located far away from exterior windows and doors that let in drafts.

6. Avoid the urge to over tend your bonsai tree when it’s becoming used to its new home. Otherwise stated, don’t take out the pruning shears and shaping wire too soon. During the first year, your focus must be on preventing the plant from dying and helping it to grow. All you need to do is make sure it receives enough fertilizer, water and light. Once you are able to handle its daily care, then you can start to teach yourself how to prune and shape it.

These plants are delicate and it’s not hard to kill them. But once you develop your bonsai care abilities, you will be able to enjoy your magnificent plant with satisfaction.

识别雀舌罗汉松盆景要四看

罗汉松，系罗汉松科罗汉松属。它四季常绿，苍劲优雅，特别是雀舌罗汉松，更受人喜爱，它在我国盆栽艺术中占有不平常的地位。

　　雀舌罗汉松是罗汉松中的一个变种，与大叶罗汉松或中叶罗汉松的主要区别是：大叶罗汉松为大乔木，中叶罗汉松为亚乔木，雀舌罗汉松是一种小灌木。目前花木市场上有人常用中叶罗汉松的小苗，冒充雀舌罗汉松出售。雀舌罗汉松在苗期较难区分真伪，一般要“四看”：

　　一看叶。雀舌罗汉松叶小，尖端圆，状如麻雀舌头；大叶和中叶罗汉松的叶端一般比较尖，雀舌罗汉松叶比前两种厚实，特别是中脉明显突出。

　　二看茎。大叶和中叶罗汉松色绿，雀舌罗汉松色深，呈深绿色。

　　三看节。雀舌罗汉松春秋各抽梢一次，春秋梢各一节，节密，顿节明显，两梢长度相加一年最多只有半寸，大叶和中叶罗汉松节间长，长势快，顿节没有雀舌罗汉松明显。

　　四看梢。雀舌罗汉松春梢叶片密生状如菊花心，这是大叶和中叶罗汉松所没有的，但秋梢芽散开，不起菊花心，因此比较难鉴别。