How to care for a bonsai: 8 basic and fundamental tips

Bonsai is a Japanese term meaning “planted in a tray”. The cultivation of these lovely trees originated in China and was adapted by the Japanese. With a mixture of horticultural technique and aesthetics, growing a bonsai is considered an art nowadays, whose goal is to create a realistic miniature representation of nature, in the form of a tree.

Tips for caring for a bonsai

Bonsai is a great option for those who want to have a small and easy-to-care plant, as well as decorate and bring more life to any environment. Caring for a bonsai tree requires technique and is not as difficult as it sounds. Vera Consoli, owner of a flower shop for 30 years, where she sells bonsai and takes care of their maintenance with her customers, gave some basic care tips for this delicate plant.

1. Care when watering

It is necessary to know the temperature of the environment and the climatic conditions to determine the amount of watering of each bonsai. On mild days, the ideal is to water it once a day, in the morning or late afternoon. On dry days, it is recommended to water the bonsai twice a day. Avoid over-watering, this can cause root rot due to lack of air in the soil.

2. Use a toothpick to check for moisture

To be more sure if you are watering the bonsai correctly, a technique often used is to sink a toothpick into the soil of the pot and then remove it to check if the toothpick is very wet. If it is soaked, it is not necessary to water it at that time.

3. Prune when necessary

The frequency of pruning depends on each species, which usually varies from 3 to 6 months. The simplest pruning consists of removing branches and shoots that have already exceeded the intended size and shape. This can be done using specific scissors or common scissors, depending on the type of bonsai. Pruning is intended to force even distribution and develop dense foliage. If your bonsai needs a more specific pruning, contact a professional to help you.

4. Choose the best place to leave it

Each species will need a specific location, as some prefer sunlight and others prefer partial shade. The ideal is to try to find an environment where the temperature is constant. According to Vera, it is necessary to observe the color of the leaves. If they are yellowish, it is a sign that you are receiving too much light. If they are getting dark, it is a sign of lack of light.

5. Know how to fertilize correctly

In the case of outdoor bonsai, it is recommended that its fertilization be carried out during the growing period, which goes from early spring to mid-autumn. The internal ones can be fertilized all year round. It is recommended not to fertilize diseased trees. Vera always recommends the use of organic fertilizers, as well as using only the indicated amount. If you add too much fertilizer, the bonsai can die.

6. You need to choose the right vase

Choosing the right pot for bonsai is a task that requires great care, given that many factors must be analyzed. According to Vera, the ideal is to opt for non-glazed vases that do not have shiny enamel, unless the tree has flowers or fruits. The size of the pot should be proportional to approximately 2/3 of the height of the tree and the depth of the pot should measure up to 2 times the thickness of the trunk at its base.

7. Change the toilet when indicated

You need to pay attention to several factors to know when it’s time to change the vase. When you notice that the roots are denser in your bonsai pot or that the water is taking longer to be absorbed by the soil, it may be a sign that it is time to change the pot. In the case of larger bonsai, the roots will grow faster, so the pot may need to be changed annually. But this rule may not work for everyone, it is necessary to notice the differences that the tree is presenting and decide which is the best period for the exchange. For some types of bonsai, it is preferable to change the pot in summer or spring, for other species autumn is the most suitable period.

8. Beware of pests and diseases

When well cared for, the risk of tree infection is minimal. So always make sure your trees are planted with the correct soil mix. Always follow good care practice tips to keep your bonsai healthy. Vera tells you to separate the infected tree from the other trees to avoid contamination. It is usually necessary to remove the infected parts of the tree and by applying a fungicide. Seek the help of a professional to detect the type of pest or disease, so you can find an appropriate treatment.

10 types of bonsai to care for at home

Do you want to start or delve into the art of bonsai? See 10 amazing types of bonsai, both indoors and outdoors, that will delight you. You will discover how precious it is to have a miniature tree to take care of in your home.

1. Black Pine Bonsai

A species that needs more care for its cultivation, the Black Pine is a classic bonsai. They are quite resistant to poor soil conditions. It is a typical outdoor bonsai that likes a lot of light. Their sharp leaves can enlarge if they don’t get the necessary sunlight. Pine trees do not like a lot of moisture and pruning should only be done once a year.

2. Tuia Bonsai

The Tuia bonsai has dense and wide foliage, its branches grow in large numbers. It is an easy-to-grow tree. The Tuia bonsai likes light, which can be direct or partial shade. In summer, it needs a lot of water, up to two waterings a day. In winter, the amount is reduced, ranging from one to two waterings per week. Vera recommends that in spring and autumn Tuia is watered only when the soil surface is dry.

3. Jabuticabeira Bonsai

For those who like fruit, especially jabuticaba, will love this bonsai. Jabuticabeira is a fruit tree, sensitive to cold and slow growing at low temperatures. When the temperature is below 10ºC, we must protect it in a place away from the cold wind. In other seasons when the temperature is milder, the ideal is to place them in a place where they receive sunlight, in periods of not very strong sun, says Vera. Jabuticabeira likes a lot of water, but only in summer, outside of this period watering is only necessary when the soil is dry.

4. Cranberry Bonsai

Mulberries grow fast and adapt well to any type of soil, but prefer moist and deep ones. They consume a lot of water in the summer, as they get dehydrated easily. Fertilizing Amoreira should be done during spring and summer. They usually bloom in late winter, from September to November. Its delicious red to purplish colored fruits enchant anyone.

5. Pomegranate Bonsai

The Pomegranate is a typical outdoor tree that develops very well in sunlight, which favors flowering and fruiting. If very low temperatures occur during the winter, the ideal is to shelter them indoors, in a place where there is an incidence of light. Pomegranate bonsai like moist soil and pruning is usually done after flowering, which takes place in late spring.

6. Cherry Bonsai

Like most fruit trees, the cherry tree consumes a lot of water, despite not liking very wet soils. Vera says that it is advisable to water the cherry tree soil only when the surface is dry. Bonsai is easy to care for, although it is suitable for outdoor environments, it is possible to grow them indoors as long as the place is well lit and can receive sunlight.

7. Pitanga Bonsai

Pitangueira is also an outdoor bonsai, but it can be grown indoors if it receives sunlight and the environment is well lit. It likes the soil always moist, but not too much. For very hot days, Vera suggests spraying water on the leaves and avoiding exposure to strong sunlight. Its fruits usually sprout in spring, a favorable period for fertilization.

8. Acerola Bonsai

It is a very resistant species, with abundant branching and its fruit is rich in vitamin C. It usually sprouts in the summer, a period in which fertilization is not recommended. This in turn should be fertilized in spring and late autumn. Typical of outdoor environments, as sunlight favors its development. Acerola bonsai soil should always remain moist, but not soggy.

9. Figueira Bonsai

Tree with green leaves, it can be grown easily because of its greater resistance. It adapts best to indoor environments with plenty of light and that receives sunlight for at least three hours a day. When the soil is dry, it needs to be watered. It is suggested that the fig tree bonsai pot be changed every two years.

10. Serissa Bonsai

This tree requires a little more skill to grow. She doesn’t like unstable situations and is sensitive to low temperatures. It has a bush shape and its white or pink flowers bloom twice throughout the year. It likes sunlight very much and it is preferable that its location maintains a constant temperature, without many changes. Watering should be frequent and evenly distributed throughout the pot, not allowing the soil to dry out completely or exceeding the required amount.

There are many species with different types of flowers, fruits and colors, to bring more life and nature to your environment. If you are a fruit lover, the fruity options are great and you can choose according to your taste. Having a bonsai in your home is learning to cultivate nature, the environment and its art brings us peace and harmony.