What are the bonsai cultivation techniques? Methods and key points explained

The art of bonsai has a history of a thousand years in our country, and the trees are also connected with Zen Buddhism, often used for decoration and entertainment, so what are the bonsai cultivation techniques?

1. Choose the right tree species

Not all bonsai trees are the same. Many woody perennials, and even some tropical plants, can be made into bonsai trees, but not every species is suitable for your unique location. When choosing a species, it is important to take into account the climate in which the tree grows. For example, some trees die in cold weather, while others actually require temperatures below freezing so that they can enter dormancy and prepare for spring. Before starting a bonsai tree, make sure the species you choose can live in your area.

A beginner-friendly bonsai tree species is the juniper tree. These evergreen trees are tough and can survive throughout the Northern Hemisphere and even in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, juniper trees are easy to grow, they respond well to pruning and other “training”, and, because they are evergreens, they never lose their leaves. However, their growth rate is rather slow.

Conifers among other commonly used bonsai tree species include pines, spruces and many varieties of cedar. Deciduous (leafy) trees are another possibility; Japanese maples are especially beautiful, and so are magnolias, elms and oaks. Finally, some non-woody tropical plants, such as jade and “snow rose”, are good choices for indoor environments in cool or temperate climates.

2. Choose whether to have an indoor bonsai or an outdoor bonsai

The needs of indoor and outdoor bonsai trees can vary greatly. Generally speaking, indoor environments are drier and have less light than outdoor environments, so you will want to choose trees with lower light and humidity requirements. The following lists some of the most common bonsai tree species, classified by their suitability for indoor or outdoor environments:

Indoor: ficus, Hawaiian umbrella, gardenia, camellia, etc.

Outdoor: juniper trees, cypresses, cedars, maples, birches, beeches, ginkgos, larches, elms.

Please note that temperate species need to hibernate, otherwise the tree will eventually die. They cannot be grown indoors for a long time.

3. Choose the bonsai size

Bonsai trees come in a wide variety of sizes. Fully grown trees can be as small as 15.2 cm tall or as large as 0.9 m tall, depending on their species. If you choose to start a bonsai tree from a sapling or a cutting taken from another tree, they can start growing from an even smaller size. Larger plants need more water, soil and sunlight, so make sure you have all the necessary facilities before buying.

4. Imagine the finished product

Once you have decided on the type and size of bonsai you want, you can go to a nursery or bonsai shop and choose the plant that will become your bonsai tree. When choosing a plant, look for vibrant, healthy green leaves or needle color to make sure the plant is healthy (however, keep in mind that deciduous trees will have leaves of different colors in autumn). Finally, when you have narrowed your search down to the healthiest and most beautiful plants, imagine what each plant will look like after pruning. One of the joys of growing a bonsai tree is gently pruning and shaping it until it fully matches what you want - this can take years. Choose a tree whose natural shape suits your pruning or shaping plan.

Growing bonsai takes time, so the choices made in the early stages are very important. Depending on the variety you choose, decide on your cultivation method.