| Indoor bonsai care can be quite a difficult process | | | | problem for those new to indoor bonsai care. On |
| to say the least. Without proper care and | | | | many occasions I have even seen beginner bonsai |
| attention bonsai trees are prone to dying which is | | | | growers pick insoluble fertilizers and then wonder |
| a rather unfortunate for the grower and the tree | | | | why their tree wound up dying a few weeks |
| itself. Many people have different views on the | | | | down the track. Bonsai trees need to be given a |
| proper way to care for bonsai trees and today I | | | | water soluble fertilizer either once or twice a |
| am going to tell you the five top indoor bonsai | | | | month during the growing season only. Also, the |
| care tips around. By using the advice provided | | | | fertilizer must only be applied when the soil is wet |
| you will be able to grow great looking bonsai trees | | | | or you will see no result from the fertilizer. Buying |
| and prevent yourself from becoming a "bonsai | | | | a high quality fertilizer is also worth the extra cost |
| gardening statistic". The tips I am about to share | | | | so visit your local gardening centre and inquire |
| with you are of course reasonably basic, | | | | about the various types of water soluble fertilizer |
| however, they are extremely effective at | | | | they have. If you try one type of fertilizer and it |
| encouraging the growth of bonsai trees. Without | | | | doesn't work then wait until the next growing |
| using the five tips it is nearly impossible to grow a | | | | season to try a different fertilizer - don't mix and |
| good tree as they are the basic things every | | | | match unless it is absolutely neccessary. |
| bonsai tree requires in order to develop. In a way | | | | Tip 4 - How To Prune A Bonsai Tree |
| indoor bonsai care is a bit like building a house - | | | | Pruning is another vital part of indoor bonsai care. |
| you need firm foundations before you can | | | | The process of pruning is done in two different |
| complete the rest of the construction. The | | | | ways ("branch pruning" and "root pruning") You |
| following five indoor bonsai care tips are a firm | | | | should branch prune at the start of spring and |
| foundation for growing great trees. | | | | carefully remove all the branches on the tree |
| Tip 1 - How To Water A Bonsai Tree | | | | except those that you wish to keep. Root pruning |
| Watering is easily one of the most important | | | | is similar but should only occur when the bonsai's |
| elements in indoor bonsai care. Too little water | | | | roots have bound themselves inside the pot. It is |
| and the tree will dehydrate and die, too much | | | | absolutely critical to learn the basic process of |
| water and you will literally drown the tree. After | | | | bonsai tree pruning before you try and sculpt |
| many years experience of growing bonsai trees I | | | | your tree into various shapes so make sure you |
| have found that watering is the number one | | | | get this basic stuff right! |
| problem most people (especially beginners face) | | | | Tip 5 - Choosing The Right Environment To |
| To ensure that you are correctly watering your | | | | Encourage Growth |
| bonsai tree you should wait for the soil to start | | | | This final tip is one of the most important factors |
| drying out (don't let it completely dry though!) | | | | in correct indoor bonsai care. You should place |
| Next, water the plant until excess water seeps | | | | your bonsai in an area that receives plenty of |
| out of the bottom of the pot. Don't water the | | | | sunlight (by a window is a natural choice for most |
| bonsai again until the soil starts to dry out. I have | | | | but ensure that the windowsill is wide enough to |
| found that this is easily the best way to water a | | | | hold the pot properly so that it doesn't get |
| bonsai tree as it is nearly impossible to either | | | | knocked over by mistake) Make sure that the |
| over-water or under-water the tree. | | | | room is neither too warm nor too cold (room |
| Tip 2 - Picking The Right Soil | | | | temperature works well if the tree is given a |
| Picking the right soil is vital for indoor bonsai care - | | | | good source of light but this can vary species to |
| after all, half of the tree is covered by soil. To | | | | species) Also, make sure that the room is |
| pick the right type of soil you should visit your | | | | reasonably humid so the soil doesn't dry out too |
| nearest garden centre (or bonsai specialist if | | | | quickly. |
| there's one in your area) and tell them what | | | | In this article I have covered the five most basic |
| exact type of bonsai tree you have. They will | | | | aspects of indoor bonsai care - how to water the |
| help you find the right soil for your needs. Also, | | | | tree, how to pick the right soil, how to properly |
| remember to buy the highest quality soil you can | | | | apply fertilizer, how to prune the tree for |
| as this makes a massive difference. Spending an | | | | optimum growth and how to get the growing |
| extra $5 a bag on higher quality soil is definitely | | | | environment/conditions just right. Follow this |
| worth it in the long run! | | | | advice and you'll be well on your way to growing |
| Tip 3 - How To Apply Fertilizer Correctly | | | | great bonsai trees and being an indoor bonsai care |
| Incorrect application of fertilizer is quite a big | | | | master! |