Enhance your Japanese themed garden by supplementing more elements into it. The addition of koi pond and bonsai brings serenity and calmness, bringing you closer to the natural environment.
We are all a fan in some way of Japan’s culture, technology, and entertainment matters. Whether we deny it or not, there’s a part of our identity that has an admiration for Japan. Their own comic version, the manga and anime, the sakura or cherry blossoms, and their high-end car brands that everyone dreams of having one. There’s a lot of things to love about Japan.
Their gardening styles are one of the world’s authentic and artistic things to see. Every part of its gardening has its own story shaping their country’s identity.
Everything is carefully selected from trees, moss, shrubs, and even pebbles surrounding the environment. They’ll always put emphasis on the shape, texture, and its incorporation in nature. Likewise, the Japanese started the trend on the presence of both koi ponds and bonsai in a garden.
In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of koi pond and bonsai in a garden. Also, we’ll give you tips on how to put these botanical arts into your landscape.
What is a Koi Pond?
Literally, it’s a pond intended only for a specific type called koi. These fish also called Nishikigoi or carp (in English). These are highly domesticated fish with colorful varieties majorly white, yellow, or orange.
These ponds often vary in shape and size. Most koi ponds are either round, rectangular, or L-shapes.
Koi Pond Basics
If your thinking of setting up a koi pond, then you’ll have to gain at least the basic insights on doing it.
STEP 1: Plan the size, shape, and location
It’s essential that you have to secure a location that’s quite accessible preferably just outside or viewed from the window. As for size, it should be coincident to the number of fish that you’ll be cultivating.
According to a study, 10 fish is suitable to be raised in a rectangular sized pond having dimensions of 12 ft x 10 ft. For beginners, the depth of the pond should be within 3 to 4 ft. As to shape, it depends on your preference.
To start things, its best to mark the bounds of your pond. A rope, a garden hose, spray anything, or anything as long as it won’t get easily erased.
STEP 2: Constructing the Pond
Dig a hole from the area you’ve chosen. The upper end should be wider than the lower one. Then, lined and wrapped the dug area with a robust rubber or plastic into it. Provide an overlapping at least three feet from it.
STEP 3: Adding Water
The water to be poured should be safe for koi fish to thrive. Thus, it should not be chlorinated or toxic. The pH of the water should be between 7 to 8.6. Likewise, the temperature should be maintained about 18 degrees Celsius or near to it.
STEP 4: Installing Equipment and Koi
Put an aerator and filtration system into the pond. These will help the pond on maintaining the necessary conditions on it. Then, slowly put the koi into the pond. Make sure that the koi fish are readily adjusted to the new environment for which they’ll live.
What is Bonsai Tree?
According to the New York Times, bonsais are referred to miniature trees grown and pruned based on Japanese traditions. Unlike dwarfing, they aren’t genetically enhanced rather than come from small trees with the application of techniques on grafting, defoliation, and root reduction to minimize its growth.
Choosing a Bonsai Tree Species
You just can’t buy any type of bonsai for outdoor gardening. You have to carefully research if it’s suitable for the environment that you have. Check on your local climate and evaluate what are species that could be grown around. It’s important to consider also any pests or fungi that could swarm over your bonsai species. Select a tree species that are less resistant to particular pests.
To understand this more, you could check a lot of bonsai types online or through your local botanical store to get a concrete examination on this.
Planting the Bonsai Tree Species
There are a lot of ways to plant a bonsai. However, the safest way is to buy a ready-made bonsai online or through stores. Its all freshly trimmed, to be placed around the koi pond.
But nonetheless, if you prefer to do the traditional one, then you’ll have to plant it through seeds for basics. An additional option is to consider the sashiki method or using pre-cut stems on bonsai to plant. There are available nursery stock plants also that most efficient to get started for bonsai.
Styling Techniques for Bonsai
There are multiple methods to easily shape your bonsai the Japanese style. Mostly, pruning from time to time is the easiest way yet should be done regularly. Wiring is an alternative way to further shape out your bonsai the way you wanted it to grow. Commonly, growers use aluminum or copper to create a wiring framework for bonsai.
Bonsai Trees and Koi Ponds in One Place
The combo of bonsai trees and koi ponds is an excellent way to nurture the beauty of nature. There is no requirement or a preferred setup that should be followed. Everything is all upon your own decision where to put things as needed. If you’re unsure, its best to hire a landscape engineer to guide you upon decision making.
However, before taking anything else, its best to keep the garden well-balanced and organized. There should be no irregularities to not destroy its setup.
Also, these creatures are living things and thus, needs extreme care and attention. It should be regularly maintained and clean to prevent any microbe contamination into it.
For koi pond, it’s essential to measure pH and DO levels often in the pond. Check on the color of the pond and keep a well-routined circulation of water into the pond. Waste matter is fatal to fish. It’s best to eliminate it when readily detected. Also, be careful of predators (cats, rodents, or insects). Secure the koi in a location where it will be out of reach to these creatures.
Most importantly, always feed your koi as often as they should be. Its recommended to feed them at least once a day.
For bonsai trees, lighting and watering are the critical conditions that should be observed into it. The frequency to water these plants depend on the environmental conditions. It’s best to observe the soil, if it’s dried or not to decide when to water it.
Like any plant, the bonsai trees need sunlight exposure to live. Thus, they should be kept in a location where the rays of the sun will be able to get a pass on them.
