There are many variations and possibilities when considering the purchase of a Bonsai tree. The wide variety comes from the fact that, generally, any form of perennial woody-stemmed tree can be used; and in some cases even small shrubs are used for Bonsai. Perennial refers to the trees year-round life cycle. Some plants are annuals, meaning that they only bloom for certain periods of the year, these are used less often in Bonsai as they are more difficult to maintain and their beauty is dormant for some periods. Ideally, the trees characteristics would tend toward thick trunks and sturdy branches with spiky needle leaves. Some Bonsai trees even bloom throughout the spring and summer seasons, producing small, delicate flowers.
Bonsai tree roots are thick and require a soil that is gritty and not in the least bit mushy or overly wet. If anything, prepare a soil mixture with large particles that will allow water to pass quickly through the root system and not endanger the tree. Root rot occurs when the soil is so packed that water essentially drowns the roots, allowing them to soak, and a proper drainage system is not provided for water to pass out through the bottom of the pot.
To generate the most beautiful and shapely Bonsai tree takes work and the skill to utilize various tools. The dwarfed appearance of the Bonsai is actually not the naturally occurring state of the tree. In that case, a variety of tools are necessary to affect the trees natural growing pattern, stop it, and manipulate it to take on the height and width desired by the grower. This meditative practice is highly skilled and takes dedication or the natural tendency of the tree to grow upward and shapeless will dominate your efforts and result in anything but a Bonsai tree. You will need the following tools to get started...
Usually, Bonsai trees are not grown from a seedling but, rather, they are purchased as juveniles and manipulated from then on to adulthood. For financial reasons, it is sometime more practical to purchase seeds and grow your own tree, especially if you are interested in more exotic species that are either unavailable in your area or are very expensive to purchase as juveniles. Seeds can be easily shipped all around the world nowadays. It is becoming more and more popular to grow plants from seedlings and more accessible than ever.
An essential part of Bonsai is the potting and repotting cycle that a grower must stick to in order to manipulate the size and shape of their tree. In fact, “bon” refers to a Japanese oval-shaped pot for planting. Depending on what your goals are, you can tailor a cycle to fit your needs. Container material, size, and shape do not really matter in Bonsai growing.
