Beginners are often intimidated by bonsai trees due to the belief that they demand meticulous attention and are not very forgiving. However, if you put up the effort to shape and cultivate one of these small trees, you will be rewarded with a stunning species that can be handed down to future generations.
Before you determine whether or not bonsais are perfect for you, continue reading and learn how to care for them during different stages and seasons of the year.
Average Time when Growing a Bonsai Tree
What is the difference between a bonsai tree and other plants?
The tradition of growing trees indoors has been around for generations, but it was only popularized outside of Japan in the 1800s. Bonsai trees, unlike other home plants, are not cultivated for their blooms or leaves. Instead, the attention is on the tree’s trunk and branches, which have been meticulously sculpted to produce a small representation of a full-sized tree.
Bonsai trees come in a variety of sizes and styles.
Bonsai trees can be cultivated in a variety of methods. Some people prefer to grow plants in their natural habitat, while others prefer to care for them indoors under regulated lighting and conditions such as temperature. Regardless of the method employed to care for bonsai trees, all plants must be pruned on a regular basis to remain small.
Some tree species take longer to develop into bonsai than others.
The length of time it takes to cultivate a bonsai tree is determined by the type of tree you choose. Some species, such as willow and elm trees, can produce a miniature duplicate in as little as a year. Pine and juniper trees, in contrast, might take up to five years to mature.
Maintaining bonsai trees is a labor of love, regardless of whatever species you choose.
Growing a healthy bonsai tree, like any other houseplant, takes time and care. It might be tough to give your new bonsai the correct trunk and size while also providing all of the necessary care until it matures. However, the ultimate result is always well worth the effort!
Plants go through several stages throughout the course of a year, and they are as follows:
- Winter dormancy
- Regeneration and flowering
- Bringing out new growth and fruit
- A brief period of dormancy throughout the summer
- The new growth’s consolidation
- Preparation for a long winter
Seasonal Care for Bonsai Trees
Winter
In most regions of the world, trees are exposed to temperatures of 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius) or maybe even lower in the winter. Because their roots are usually far too deep underground to freeze, these trees have no problem with freezing weather. However, the roots of bonsai, which are grown in shallow containers, require extra protection throughout this cold season.
- To enter dormancy, temperate trees must be exposed to cold temperatures in the fall. For most tree species, this means you should place your trees in winter storage or add protection after the first frost.
- For those who live in frigid climates where temperatures often dip below 15 °F (10 °C), placing your trees in a greenhouse or cold frame throughout the winter is recommended. A cold frame helps to prevent temperature variations and shields your trees from nighttime temperature changes. In the event of a strong wind, it also prevents your trees from withering.
- When such protection is not available, you can wrap Styrofoam all around planters to insulate the roots, or plant your bonsai in a pot in your yard, only covering the roots with soil. Make sure your trees are planted in a place where they are safe from too much wind.
For a more detailed explanation visit this article.
Spring
Your bonsai trees will soon begin a new growing season, just as the rest of your garden is awakening for spring. It is indeed critical to look after your bonsai throughout the spring when it starts blooming if you want it to thrive for the length of the year.
- When caring for your outdoor bonsai plants, one of the recurring duties to keep on top of is weeding. You may not have a problem with weeds, but as everything else grows, you may see weeds growing around the base of your bonsai tree. To make your trees healthy, eliminate any weeds as soon as they appear.
- Spring is an ideal time to prune your tree. Some branches may have dried out due to frost or a lack of water throughout the winter and will need to be removed. Always use the tools at hand; don’t just snap the branches off because this could harm your delicate bonsai!
- Your bonsai would have gone all winter without being fertilized, so regular feeding in the spring would be necessary to sustain all of the new growth branches.
Summer
Bonsai trees are tough and difficult to kill in general. On the other hand, this thought should be disregarded when talking about heat.
But apart from a few breeds that are native to high-temperature locations, most bonsai begin to suffer once temperatures reach approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and frequent prolonged highs around 100 degrees can be catastrophic.
With climatologists predicting that the effects of global warming will persist this year, keeping your bonsai cool could be a major problem. As a result, we’ve come up with increasingly inventive ways to keep them safe.
- If you live in a region where summer temperatures are extreme, putting your bonsai indoors or into a greenhouse is an excellent idea. If this isn’t possible, at the very least try to provide additional shade.
- Overwatering outside trees becomes nearly impossible in the heat. They’ll require every drop you can give them, and you’ll probably find yourself watering them three times a day.
- A good soil moisture meter will come in handy here, as you may be shocked at how quickly water drains from the soil throughout the summertime.
- It’s a good thing to keep leaves as well as the soil wet, but there’s a catch: resting drops of water on foliage will intensify the sun’s rays when it gets hot. When this happens, the droplets can burn the leaves instead of nourishing them. To avoid huge droplets settling to the surface of leaves, using a spray bottle with a very thin mist is highly recommended.
- If you want to be proactive, now is the time to put mosses all around the base of your bonsai tree. Moss is excellent for bonsai, producing cooling protection for the roots while also retaining moisture. A coating of moss on top of your planter will shield your tree from the summer’s effects.
Fall
Most trees slow down their development around the end of the summer. When the temperature rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, trees generally do not develop. However, September marks the start of an entirely new season.
The evenings are starting to cool down, and summer is coming to an end. We feed our cold-hardy trees the final end-of-season feeding because they adore it.
- If you’re wanting to plump deciduous trees, be sure to leave long branches – this is when the sap retreats and the branches expand.
- To avoid scarring, make sure to check for old wire and discard it.
- On deciduous trees like maples, don’t remove the damaged leaves; instead, let the emerging buds tear them off on their own.
- Mineral deposits left on the bark and roots by water are common. Clean the bottom trunk with a firm toothbrush or wire brush.
- Watch for the onset of the rainy season and adjust your watering practices accordingly.
- Since they are becoming shorter, consider shifting your maple trees to a spot where there is more sunlight.
- Keep an eye out for an early freeze around the third week of September, and make plans to bring all indoor trees inside for the winter.
What Are the Advantages of Taking Care of Bonsai Trees?
First and foremost, you will be able to relax and enjoy your own miniature tree both inside and outside your home! There are many different forms and sizes of bonsai trees, so there is always something for you. Moreover, planting these plants can help relieve stress while also having a calming impact.
Caring for a bonsai tree includes physical benefits in addition to mental health benefits. Bonsai plants help to improve indoor air quality by eliminating pollutants and unwanted chemicals. They can also assist to raise humidity levels, which is beneficial for persons with dry skin or asthma.
So, if you’re looking for a hobby that can keep you calm, alleviate stress, and enhance your general health, cultivating a bonsai tree is the one for you!
