Growing bonsai trees can be a very rewarding hobby. It's a great achievement to work with nature to create and style your very own bonsai tree. However, growing bonsai trees can also be a frustrating experience, especially if you make some common mistakes. In this article I'll describe 3 such mistakes and how to avoid them.
MISTAKE 1. Not giving your bonsai the right amount of water. This is a very common mistake and leads to many bonsai problems. If you want to have a healthy bonsai tree then it must have the right amount of water.
The main reason why bonsai trees don't thrive or die is that they are not given enough water. The amount of water required varies depending on the species, time of year, location and conditions. So do some research on your particular species.
During the spring, summer and autumn you should check your tree daily to see if it needs watering. One of the ways of doing this is to push your finger or a chopstick into the soil. Outdoor bonsai require less frequent watering in winter.
The early evening is the best time to water - you will then avoid leaf scorch from the sun. There are several ways of watering bonsai, one of which is to water from above using a fine rose or spray.
MISTAKE 2. Using the wrong type of soil. Your bonsai tree is totally dependent on the small amount of soil in its pot to provide all the moisture and nutrients that it needs to survive. It is a very different scenario to that found in nature where the tree's roots can spread wide and deep in search of nutrients and water.
So ordinary garden soil or normal compost are not suitable. What the bonsai tree needs is soil that can hold enough moisture and nutrients to provide a steady supply to the roots. There must be enough air spaces to allow the roots to breath and excess water must be able to escape to prevent the roots from rotting.
Therefore, substances such as gravel, sand and granite are important components of bonsai soil. Bonsai enthusiasts agree on the importance of grit but often differ about the best mix of soil.
Different species of tree also have different requirements e.g. flowering trees need more organic matter. It is possible to buy bonsai soil ready for use e.g Japanese Akadama clay but this is expensive.You can experiment with mixing your own - if you do this you should sieve the soil prior to use.
MISTAKE 3. Not keeping your bonsai in the right location. Many people think of bonsai trees as houseplants and keep them indoors. Whilst some tropical species are suitable for indoor growth it should be remembered that trees are designed for the outdoors - that is their natural habitat.
They thrive when they are exposed to seasonal changes of weather. The sun, wind and rain are all important to the tree as is the dormant winter period when the tree does not grow. Some classic outdoor bonsai include pines, maples and juniper.
Depending on the severity of the conditions, the species of tree and the stage of development, outdoor bonsai may require some protection in winter e.g. storage in a garage.
Two species that can be grown indoors are Ficus (fig) and Serissa (tree of a thousand stars). With indoor bonsai you will need to ensure that they have the right humidity levels and plenty of light. Do not place in draughty conditions.
If you ensure that your bonsai is growing in the right soil, has the right amount of water and is in the right location you will be well on your way to growing a healthy, thriving bonsai tree!