| When the word Bonsai is mentioned in | | | | These types of bonsai can be cut back by finger |
| conversation, most people probably think of a | | | | pruning. This is simply pinching off any unwanted |
| beautiful, tiny, juniper tree planted in a small dish. | | | | growth and encourages the plant to grow fuller. |
| While juniper is a good choice for bonsai, it is by | | | | Of course, this doesn't require any extra |
| far not the only one. Most any plant, trees and | | | | equipment beyond you own fingers. For deciduous |
| shrubs in particular, can be grown this way. Of | | | | or tropical trees you'll need a small pair of very |
| course, some are more easily adapted to this | | | | sharp scissors for pruning. |
| type of growth and are more easily cultivated. | | | | Pruning in general keeps the leaves small and helps |
| While Bonsai Trees are the most popular, growing | | | | to shape the tree. Leaf pruning can encourage |
| a bonsai bush isn't unheard of. | | | | more growth in a particular area. Areas that are |
| The word bonsai is actually two words. "bon" | | | | more heavily pruned will have less growth. Pruning |
| means tray and "sai" means growing or planting. | | | | also aids in shaping your plant into a desired |
| So the word literally means tray planting or tray | | | | design. One important thing to remember when |
| growing. If you're thinking about starting a bonsai | | | | you intend to do a major pruning to top and |
| hobby, you need to realize that it is a long-term | | | | bottom of your plant is to make sure it is them |
| commitment, much like adopting a dog or cat. To | | | | appropriate time of year by doing adequate |
| grow bonsai plants you must have a great deal of | | | | research. |
| patience, as it will take many years before your | | | | First and foremost you need to choose a shallow |
| plant will resemble what you had in mind. | | | | container for your bonsai and plant it in suitable |
| Once you have decided that growing a bonsai is | | | | growing soil. You can purchase the right type of |
| something you will commit to, you need to decide | | | | soil, or make your own with a combination of |
| what kind of plant you want and whether you | | | | normal dirt, sand and some grit. Make sure that |
| want to grow it from seed or purchase a seedling | | | | the pot has adequate drainage so you don't end |
| that you can start shaping right away. The best | | | | up with root rot. Choose a liquid fertilizer made |
| thing to do is a lot of research. Talk to a local | | | | for your species of plant (tree or bush, etc.) and |
| grower and get recommendations and learn about | | | | feed it by following directions. |
| the different types of plants that are most | | | | Water your bonsai or plant by checking it about |
| adaptable to growing bonsai. | | | | every two weeks. Press a finger about in inch |
| Most people know that growing bonsai requires | | | | into the soil and if it is dry you should water it to |
| pruning of the branches in order to keep the plant | | | | the point where the water begins to drain from |
| small. What most don't know is that it requires | | | | the drainage holes. It the soil is still damp, you can |
| also cutting back the root system of the tree. | | | | wait another week. |
| Although cutting back the roots isn't done as | | | | Nurturing and taking care of your Bonsai Tree or |
| often, keeping the root system small also helps in | | | | plant can bring a great deal of satisfaction. The |
| keeping the plant small and prevents them from | | | | joy of growing green things and shaping a |
| overcrowding the planter. A general rule is never | | | | beautiful plant can become a lifelong pursuit and |
| to cut any more than one-third of the plant and | | | | something that you can hand down to relatives. It |
| when you do a major pruning from the top, you | | | | is a hobby that takes a great deal of patience and |
| should also cut the same amount from the roots. | | | | years of learning. The end results will be well |
| Evergreens such as pine, juniper and yew are the | | | | worth the small amount of work required, but a |
| type most commonly seen available for purchase. | | | | lot of waiting. |