| Some plants naturally respond well to pruning, | | | | Pruning of branches is performed in spring. Much, |
| regardless of how intense, whilst other plants can | | | | but not all of the new growth is removed. |
| find it hard to recover, especially when pruned at | | | | Branches are selected early on as the only |
| the wrong time of the year. | | | | branches to be allowed to prosper, while the |
| When should I Prune? | | | | excess branches are mercilessly pruned off. |
| To prune correctly you must find out the type of | | | | Leaf Pruning |
| plant your bonsai is and research when the best | | | | Leaf pruning (also known as defoliation) in bonsai is |
| times are to prune old and new season growth. | | | | used for several deciduous and tropical plants to |
| Generally, new growth is pruned during the | | | | reduce leaf size, remove unsightly leaves and |
| growing season to maintain the shape of the | | | | speed-up growth by causing two seasons' growth |
| bonsai, whilst pruning of hard wood (old season | | | | in one. This is done in mid-summer, by cutting |
| growth) is done in mid-autumn. | | | | 60-90% of the leaves off the tree, only leaving a |
| Forms of Pruning | | | | few to ensure that the tree keeps its energy. |
| Finger Pruning | | | | Remove leaves with fine scissors, cutting them |
| One of the main forms of pruning for bonsai, | | | | from directly behind the leaf. In the next few |
| especially evergreen coniferous bonsai such as | | | | weeks make sure that you keep the plant in a |
| junipers and cedars is 'finger pruning'. This involves | | | | hospitable position and climate and supply it |
| pinching back new growth, which does not come | | | | adequate water. Remember however, that this |
| within the general shape of the bonsai or is at the | | | | form of pruning is only applicable to certain types |
| top of the bonsai helping to encourage bushy | | | | of plants. |
| foliage and a more tree-like looking bonsai. To do | | | | Root Pruning |
| this, take the growth between your thumb and | | | | Bonsai trees are intentionally allowed to become |
| forefinger whilst holding the branch with your | | | | root-bound in their containers, and the roots too, |
| other hand and remove with a twisting | | | | are pruned. But root-bound plants won't thrive |
| movement. This is better than trimming the | | | | forever in that condition and, indeed, bonsai trees |
| growth with scissors; this leaves an unnatural look | | | | must be re-potted every two or three years to |
| and leaves the foliage an unsightly brown. | | | | furnish the roots with fresh soil. |
| However for deciduous trees, scissor tip pruning is | | | | Last but not the least, the main factor in |
| best. When trimming outward or 'overenthusiastic' | | | | maintaining bonsai is the removal of all but the |
| growth, trim shoots back to just after the next | | | | most important parts of the plant. Bonsai is all |
| series of leaves, but don't cut the foliage as such. | | | | about the reduction of everything just to the |
| Branch Pruning | | | | essential elements and ultimate refinement. |