Advantages of a banyan bonsai

Banyan is one of the easiest bonsai trees that you can grow since it can assume a naturally fantastic shape without much caring. If you observe a banyan tree closely, you can mark that its trunk has a layered appearance because of the aerial growth of the roots. Bonsai designers simply admire this basic feature of the banyan for it gives them the scope of various styles of bonsai designing. Like them, you can also properly maneuver the aerial root system and make the bonsai banyan look just perfect within the limited bounds of its pot.

All these are the reasons why banyan happens to be one of the most sort-after bonsai varieties. If you look at a nicely grown banyan bonsai, you would easily fall in love with its elegantly outstretched branches and firm, thick trunk. The sight of its aerial roots is one of its major attractions. You could enhance its beauty by regularly pruning, wiring and trimming the tree that holds it in proper shape.

Basic things about growing a banyan bonsai

Banyan is an outdoor tree and grows best in moderate natural sunlight. Hence, you must avoid placing your bonsai in the shade of the interiors. However, this does not mean you have to expose your bonsai to direct strong sunlight as this could affect it adversely. At the same time, a banyan tree requires a generous supply of water for a healthy growth. It would be better if you could plant your banyan bonsai in an angled, non-glazed mud pot instead of a round one since this allows the needed space for outgrowing branches.

Like all other bonsai trees, it is immensely important to maintain the right level of humidity for the banyan bonsai as well. You could do this easily by using a humidity tray from which the tree can draw the required amount of moisture. You could use the humidity tray for decorative purpose as well by spreading some pieces of pebbles in it.

You must ensure that the pot you have chosen for the bonsai contains a drainage hole. Otherwise, there could be harmful bacterial growth because of excessive moisture. The roots of a bonsai banyan need the correct pruning so that only some of the roots are removed and the gap could be filled up by new roots. Similarly, its leaves and branches also require timely trimming so that it gains an attractive shape. Fertilize the tree in the right proportion to fulfill its nutrient requirements.

While selecting a pot for growing a banyan bonsai, you have to bear in mind that banyan is a strangler fig that can grow over a stretch of a few kilometers. This tendency of growing too big can be further fueled if the banyan is planted in an oversized pot. You could also end up with a too big a bonsai if the banyan is made to share the pot with other bonsai plants.

Other relevant details about a banyan bonsai

If you want to take proper care of your banyan tree, you must repot it once in every two years. This is best done in the season of spring and using a common soil mix. It is really easy to know when is the right time to think of repotting your bonsai. Just tug at the root or soil ball in the existing pot and if the entire soil tends to come out in a single piece and in the shape of the pot, then it is time to repot.

You should fertilize your banyan bonsai every two weeks especially in the growing season and maybe once in the cold months. The banyan tree is susceptible to Scale insects and mites but you must not use strong insecticides containing Malathion because the tree cannot tolerate this chemical.

Interestingly, a banyan makes a very attractive gift item, thanks to its mystical associations. Although it is not a common gift, the person you gift the banyan remembers you for the classic beauty and longevity of the tree.

More about podocarpus bonsai

The Nagi Podocarpus is known for its compact branching that gives rise to very closely arranged and thick, dark green foliage. The density is surprising in full sun and even greater if you grow it in shade. The old family of podocarpus bonsai trees is remarkably elegant in structure and formation. However, if you have chosen to grow it in your house, you must be patient for at least some years that is required by the tree to form its bark and trunk formation.

The growth rate of the podocarpus bonsai is greatly determined by the climatic conditions. For instance, the tree grows more slowly indoors and faster in sunny exteriors. Usually these trees bear leaves that look very similar to the leaves of yew tree. However, if you notice closely you might notice that the podocarpus leaves are slightly larger than the yew leaves. The length of the podocarpus leaves vary from two to four inches.

Ideal bonsai species of podocarpus trees

Like all bonsai trees, podocarpus too comes in a various range of species. However, not all the species are meant for bonsai cultivation. Here are some of the more suitable variations:

• Podocarpus alpinus: It is a dwarfish tree that has markedly smaller and smoother foliage than the podocarpus macrophyllus variation.
• Podocarpus macrophylla: This tree is also known by other names such as Buddhist pine, Chinese yew, big leaf podocarps and swallow’s tongue pine. This tree can grow up to 40 feet and bear purple or green fruit.
• Podocarpus macrophylla Maki: Also known as Podocarpus sinensis or Southern yew, this tree can grow only up to 20 feet.
• Podocarpus nagi: This is more commonly known as Yellowwood and is classified by its 2-3 inch leaves and globose fruit and found in Japan, Taiwan and China.
• Podocarpus nivalis: It is also called the Alpine yew and used as a popular bonsai option in the Western countries.

How to grow a podocarpus bonsai properly
Here are some factors that you must bear in mind if you are planning to grow a podocarpus tree. Generally, these trees prefer direct sunlight and you would better be growing them outdoors. Lack of adequate sunlight can result in longer needles. However, it must be alternately placed in shades as well because excessive and intent sunlight might cause the podocarpus leaf burn.

The podocarpus bonsai grows best in temperature ranging from 9 to 11 degree Fahrenheit. Although it can well survive in light frost, it is preferable to keep the tree in above 55F temperature zone in summer and 61-68F in winter. This bonsai requires slightly moist soil that has adequate drainage property. You must stop watering if the needles turn gray.

You should feed your podocarpus tree with Peters 20-20-20, fish emulsion and fertilizer cakes. As an alternative to the fish emulsion, you could apply liquid bonsai fertilizer once in every two weeks. To make the soil slightly acidic, you could use Miracid frequently through a year. You could also apply 2-3 doses of Epsom salts a year to cope up with the magnesium deficiency.

In order to curb the excessive upright growing tendency of young podocarpus bonsai, you could cut them back hard that will give rise to the desired side branching. You have to constantly keep removing the elongated needles. It is good to wire the lignified wood for the first three months but remove them if the wire cuts into the bark. You need to place the softwood cuttings of this bonsai in water to encourage the formation of the roots. This tree requires repotting in every 3-4 years. You should prune the roots by 10-15% and try to protect it from root rot due to poor soil drainage and pests like Scale, mealy bugs and sooty mold.

Taking great case of your podocarpus bonsai, watering it at regular intervals and disinfecting it will ensure that you can grow and maintain a truly exquisite and healthy piece of bonsai tree, so that you can take pride in your art!

Moreover, the Chinese elm has its leaves on the small side that can be easily reduced. Although it is best grown outdoors, if you want you could keep it indoors too for a prolonged period with a good supply of light. Because of these qualities, the ulmus bonsai remains a universal favorite among the new bonsai hobbyists as well as the skilled bonsai technicians.

Knowing a few basic features of the Ulmus Parvifolia

The natural geographical locale of the Chinese elm is the south-east Asian countries of China, Korea and Taiwan. It is marked for its characteristic spreading broom shape. Because of its inherent hardiness, it hardly sheds its leaves even during the winters and the other less cold months. You can classify the Chinese elm based on the texture of its bark. There are some rough barked elms while the other ones bear comparatively smoother barks.

If you observe 3 to 5 year-old rough barked Chinese elms, you will notice that their barks bear a dark brown corky color. On the other hand, the smooth barked variation of Chinese elms looks silver or rather gray without any prominent texture as such. However, when it exfoliates, you can see the orange or tan under-bark. Some of these trees exfoliate more frequently while the others bear permanent patches of different shades.

Because of these genetic differences, you can find Chinese elms in a range of types. The “Hokkaido” and “Seiju” variations are classified by their full-grown frond-like leaves, which are tightly bunched and alternately grow on their shoots. However, the “Catlin” variety is better suited as an ulmus bonsai because of its natural dwarfish stature and slow growing quality.

How to take care of ulmus bonsai

If you are opting for a small-leaved species of Chinese elm like Seiju or Catlin, you must position it near a sunny patch or at least a full-sun area to ensure optimal growth of the shoots. Excessive shade could cause interior shoot dieback as well as overlarge leaves and longer internodes.

However, how much sun is required by your ulmus bonsai is greatly determined by the high pot and soil temperatures as well as the geographical features. Hence, special care must be taken for the fleshy roots of the tree so that no damage is caused to the fine shoots for lack of abundant natural sunlight. In the cold season, it is necessary to keep the temperature more than 20F by mulching the pots from time to time and maintaining insulation by wrapping the roots in plastic materials.

Best soil conditions for Chinese elm

The greatest advantage with Chinese elms is that they can be grown in almost all types of soils if you can provide the roots with a consistent level of moisture. However, water must not get stagnated around the roots and for this you could place the bonsai in a granular soil that ensures better drainage. The ideal soil mix usually consists of 60% granular red clay, 40% pumice, 60% inorganic grit and 40% of any organic matter.

You must understand that ulmus bonsai are generally fast growing and although their trunks do not grow much in diameter, they can spread the shoot very rapidly. Therefore, it is immensely important to feed the tree in every two or three months with a fresh supply of organic content and repotted during spring. There is nothing to feel alarmed about the stunted growth of your tree in the summer months due to excessive heat and moisture. You simply need to cut down on the moisture supply for a while if the soil is taking longer than necessary to dry.

Generally, Chinese elm has a natural resistance to Dutch Elm Disease and other common tree diseases. However, you must be on the lookout for black spot fungus that grows in excessive moisture. You must also protect the woody branches and shoots of the tree from aphid and scale insect attacks. You could use a mixture of vegetable oil and dish soap mixed with water to protect the beauty and versatility of your ulmus bonsai.

Therefore, ulmus bonsai can usually be molded into the style and shape you want, thus making it a truly favored choice among most bonsai enthusiasts!

Boxwood bonsai belongs to a family that has 70 different species. They are found all over the world. However, the species that are mostly used for bonsais are the common boxwood variety and the Japanese boxwood. The Japanese box is smaller and grows less aggressively, thus making it a more favored choice among the two – especially for bonsai beginners. Unfortunately, the Boxwood bonsai suffers from major drawback – it is not very flexible and cannot be shaped in various styles.

How to care for your Boxwood bonsai

Boxwood bonsai tolerates both sunlight and shade. However, too much of either can damage the leaves. Though Boxwood bonsai is quite hardy, it will require protection from wind and frost. When you bring the tree indoors, make sure that you keep it in a non-heated room. The room should also have enough air circulation, as this will help to reduce the risk of fungal disease.

Your Boxwood bonsai cannot tolerate temperature below -4°C and will require extra protection. You will notice that the leaves will turn yellow or a bronze color during winter. Do not panic, this is natural. Once winter is over, the leaves shall once again turn green.

The Boxwood bonsai has a unique bark that looks very mature early in its development cycle. However, this mature look is not supported by the thickening of the shoot, thus making the bark quite vulnerable. This is why; when you grow the bonsai, you should take care not to hurt the shoot of the tree, because Boxwood bonsai is known for the slow thickening of the bark. It is for this very reason that bonsai experts suggest that you get mature stocks to convert the tree into bonsai – you will have less change of damaging the tree in this case.

Sunlight and Fertilization

Boxwood bonsai should be kept in a bright and shiny place and during the summer months, you should keep the bonsai outdoors, though not under direct sunlight.

You should begin fertilizing it once the new shoots begin to develop in the tree. Carry out the process of fertilizing it every week from spring and do this until the end of the month of August.

Temperature

During the months of winter, the ideal required temperature for your Boxwood bonsai varied between 10°C and 15°C.

Watering

Boxwood bonsai must be watered often throughout the months of summer and occasionally through winter. Never let the soil run completely dry and on the other hand, take care never to over water the tree – maintain a balance.

Pruning and shaping

The Boxwood bonsai has an exponential foliage growth rate. One of the major problems that arise due to this dense growth is that the sunlight does not penetrate the inner leaves as well as the buds. Thus, the growth of the buds and leaves are hindered at these places. This is why, it is important that you prune the excess leaves at regular intervals. Regular pruning is also essential in maintaining a proper leaf size. However, be aware that excessive pruning can result in a stunted growth of the tree.

Wiring poses to be somewhat of a difficulty in case of Boxwood bonsai because the shoots become brittle when they mature. The new shoots are more flexible and are ideal for wiring. However, the new shoots are very delicate and thus care should be taken not to damage the tree.

Planting and repotting

Boxwood bonsai must be potted into a bonsai pot after it become three years old. Thereafter, it should be repotted every 3-5 years.

Shape and Styles

The Boxwood bonsai looks best with the informal upright style, though some people try other styles like The Half-Cascade style, The Tree on a Rock style, The Tree in a Rock style, The Double-Base style, The Forest style and so on.

Pests and diseases

Unfortunately, this tree is susceptible to Box Blight disease. It is a fungal disease that results in the development of spots on the leaves. The tree defoliates soon and is sure to die within a couple of years or more. The cause of this fungal disease is not known and hence there is no cure for this disease.

However, with proper care and maintenance, the Boxwood bonsai can grow into a perfect miniature art piece for your home – a tree that you can be proud of and that can last you for years!

What are the sources that can help you to choose a bonsai store?

One of the best sources to locate a bonsai store that you can trust will be to ask fellow bonsai enthusiasts. Their experience in the field makes them a good source of knowledge. You can also ask local nurseries and gardens for advice.

Apart from all these sources, today it has become extremely common for bonsai beginners to look for information about bonsai store on the net. Internet has indeed made it easier for people to locate a good bonsai supplier, who will help you to choose not only a plant, but also all the tools and gardening materials that you require to maintain the tree.

The thousands of online sites definitely make it harder to locate a bonsai store that is authentic, as well as keeps great quality of plants. However, a little bit of research and asking around, before you make the purchase can go a long way in helping you choose the plant that is going to last you for a very long time and give you the pleasure of creating a perfect piece of art.

Remember that you may not be able to understand if a plant is damaged or sickly, but when you try to maintain it, you will face numerous hurdles. You may even end up killing the plant. Thus, it is important to choose a bonsai store that will not provide a sick or damaged plant in the first place.

Things to look out for in an online bonsai store

• Check if the online bonsai store is registered with a reputed business bureau that can vouch for the authenticity of the store
• Look into the online feedbacks that the store has received from its customers. Do they sound happy? What are the kinds of complaints they have? If the bonsai store does not have good customer review, it will not be a great idea to purchase your bonsai from this store
• Have you been referred to this store by someone who is a fellow bonsai enthusiast? If you have, it is good idea to make your purchase here
• Is the site managed by someone who has a good record of growing and taking care of bonsai trees?
• Also, make sure that the site offers some kind of guarantee or money back facility in case you are not satisfied with the delivered product for some reason.

The great thing about choosing a respected, reputed and trusted bonsai store online will make the whole task of growing and taking care of a bonsai much easier for you. Today, you can choose your pick from thousands of bonsai dealers online, and once you have made the right choice, you can be rest assured that the tree will arrive safely and in a healthy condition.

What other things should you check?

It is of course important that you work with a bonsai store that is committed to providing you with quality products. In addition, a good bonsai store will also send you all the information that you need to take care and to maintain the bonsai. They will send you a complete instruction booklet that will guide you systematically through the process of caring for the plant.

The booklet will also tell you more about the bonsai plant you have chosen. You will get to know about its origin, how and when to water and feed it, what is the best time to prune it, how you can style the plant, what diseases the plant is susceptible to and what you can do to prevent an infestation. This is the kind of service that you should expect from a good bonsai store. This is what sets them apart – after all, you will have to choose a store that takes the art of bonsai making seriously.

Finally, remember that choosing a good bonsai store can make a huge difference to your bonsai growing experience. Thus, be aware of all that the store has to offer and do not be afraid to ask questions. You are after all, entitled to know anything you want to about the bonsai store.

Serissa foetida is the only species belonging to the genus of Serissa, found in sub-tropical woodlands in countries like India, China, Japan and so on. It is colloquially called by a number of names, because of the attractive white flowers, including Snowrose, Tree of a thousand stars, Serissa japonica or Japanese Boxthorn. However, Snowrose and tree of a thousand stars belong to different cultivars. The difference can be understood only by measuring the shape and size of the flowers that are produced.

Physical Description

Serissa foetida can grow up to a height of about 45-60 cm. The leaves are oval and rather thick. Both the leaves and the roots have a very unpleasant and fetid smell, when it is cut or bruised – hence the significance of the name foetida. The stems are upright and they branch out in all directions, forming a wide and bushy dome. The trunk of the tree has a rough, grey appearance and the color tends to lighten with age. The “old” appearance of the trunk of Serissa foetida makes it a good choice for bonsais.

The flowers of Serissa foetida blossom practically all year round – from early spring to late autumn. The flowers have four to six lobes and are funnel shaped. When these flowers grow on the tree, it is extremely important that you provide a lot of fertilization to it.

Sunlight

Serissa foetida requires partial shade. For the best growth of the bonsai, keep it out in the morning sun and then keep it in the shade during the afternoon. For indoor bonsai, place it under bright indirect light, along with a supplementary fluorescent lighting. Remember that without enough light, the Serissa foetida will acquire a leggy appearance and won’t look compact enough to have the ideal bonsai look.

Watering the bonsai

A Serissa foetida bonsai like all other bonsais need to be evenly watered. It usually requires lots of water. For this reason, it is often recommended that the plant should be kept on a try of water or moisture tray, though this may result in the rotting of roots, so care must be taken that the bonsai does not become over watered. Again, though misting is also recommended during the summer months, it also has the danger of rotting away the flowers.

Required temperature

The ideal temperature should range between 50-68F. Though the temperature is important, what should be noted more carefully is the fact that the plant cannot tolerate sudden changes in the temperature, lighting and watering condition. Some of the plants die when they face sudden change of lighting when brought indoors.

However, this may not be the case with every plant, so there is no need for undue worry. If you bring the bonsai indoors, take care not to place it near a heat source, as this will result in the tree losing all its leaves. On the other hand, if it is kept outdoors through the year, it will lose all its leaves during the winter months.

Feeding and fertilization

Serissa foetida needs to be fertilized every 10-14 days during the growth of the tree. During winter, it should be fertilized every 4 to 6 weeks in winter with liquid bonsai food. Serissa foetida prefers soil that is slightly acidic and so you can occasionally apply Miracid to the soil.

Pruning and shaping it right

When you find your bonsai in full bloom, make sure that you keep removing the faded flowers, as this will result in increased production of the flowers. Pruning is required for Serissa foetida often, considering the fact that the shrub grows fast.

To train the tree, you will need to wire it during the growing period. Also, make sure that you eliminate the unwanted suckers from the base of the bonsai. The air roots that grow on the plant look extremely pleasing and thus, it is often used to achieve the roots over rock style.

Repotting and pest control

Repotting of the tree Serissa foetida bonsai should be done every one to two years, during the spring season.

Pests are not a very serious problem when it comes to this species, though they are sometimes infested by insects like mite, scale, wooly aphids, mildew, red spider and so on. However, a few pesticides can easily remedy the situation.

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Things that are offered to you in the e-book

Gardening Secrets: The Insider Secrets to Creating Beautiful Bonsai! is an e-book that comes with more than 95 pages of instructions and other information about creating the perfect bonsai. Many full color photos are included in this eBook that will help you to understand exactly how to go about creating the bonsai. After all, having a visual image of the bonsai plant is extremely helpful when you are creating a bonsai as a novice.

These pictures are real examples that have been created by “normal people” who are not really experts in the field. The pictures will help you get numerous ideas to create your bonsai.

This bonsai pdf eBook will also make you aware of the reasons why some trees are formed and trained in one method, while other trees require to be trained in another way. Different kinds of plants need to be handled in different ways and this e-book will teach you what plant is suitable for which form of styling.

You will also learn about the fourteen major styles of bonsai, through the combined medium of text and pictures. Now, you will be well equipped to create each of them in your home.

The various “rules” of bonsai creation are explained in a step-by-step manner in this eBook and you will also come to know all the secrets of form pruning, maintenance pruning, defoliation, plucking and mush much more! You will also come to know about the art of Jin and Shari, where you can make the tree look like a classic old bonsai!

The book will also help you to decide what style and what tree will be best for you and what the top bonsai choices are.

This bonsai pdf will help you to start right away and will also help you to choose the right accents for your bonsai – including dwarf grass, rush, moss and lichen.

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The bonus gifts

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‘Your First Bonsai Tree: A Buyer’s Guide’ will aid you through the tedious process of purchasing your first bonsai tree, without making a wrong choice! It includes a section that will give you tips on early success, the pitfalls and the pros and cons of tree selection.

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Things to look out for when you buy bonsai tree

Perhaps the most important thing to look out for when you buy bonsai tree is the reputation of the nursery. Do not settle for just any nursery. Make sure that they specialize in creating and taking care of bonsais, because this is a special art and not every nursery has the required skills to come up with healthy and well-created bonsais.

Once you have located a good plant-dealer, you should look at the general collection of the dealer. Do all his plants look good and healthy? Thereafter, you can move on to the specific plant that you want to purchase. See if it is healthy – you can access the health of the plant in many ways, which we will discuss soon after.

Next, you should check if the plant is pot-bound. This means that if you see the plant roots peeking out through the drainage hole, it has been in the pot for too long – this is not a good thing for a bonsai, and you should choose a different tree.

Once you have ensured that the bonsai is healthy, take a note of the overall shape of the tree. Note if the trunk of the tree looks strong enough to hold up all the branches. Also, note the style of the twist of the knot in the bonsai and check if it will require staking.

When you buy bonsai trees, you will have to be careful even after the selecting and purchasing portion is done away with. Apart from the fact that you will have to carry our regular maintenance, fertilization, watering and repotting, you will also have to be extremely careful while transferring the bonsai from the nursery to your home or office.

After you buy bonsai tree, you need to travel in some enclosed vehicle, so that the wind does not mess with the tree. Also, make sure that you do not blast on the air conditioner, or heat. Keep the plant away from the direct vents. Maintain a steady and moderate temperature inside the car. You will also need to support the bonsai, so that it is not knocked against your vehicle.

Do not buy bonsai tree on a very cold day. Your bonsai can get killed even during the small span of time between taking it from the nursery and transferring it home, if it is too cold. Make sure that the temperature is not below 10°C. Before bringing the bonsai home, you should also check that it is not infested with any worms that can destroy other plants when you bring it home.

How to check if the bonsai is healthy

Checking if the bonsai that you bring home is healthy is extremely important. Start with checking if the tree shows any signs of rot. You need to closely inspect the bark, the leaves and the limbs of the tree for scratches, breaks or rips. Also, look out for any signs of places where damage may have occurred previously. If you notice any slimy area on the tree, avoid purchasing the tree, as this may be a sign of rot.

You can also check for root rot by gently poking your fingers though the soil. If you find that the soil feels mushy or slimy, then there is a very good chance that the tree is showing signs of root rot. You can ask the plant dealer if he can show you the root of the bonsai by carefully removing the plant from the pot. If he is unwilling, you can go ahead and choose something else. However, if you are confident about your skills as a botanist, and if you feel you can deal with the root rot, go ahead and purchase the bonsai, though this is not recommended.

Finally, when you buy bonsai tree, you should note the leaves. Do not buy a tree with leaves that are yellow, brown or brittle. There should be very less leaf drop around the pot. In addition, check if the soil is too dry, because in that case, the roots will be dry too. This can kill the bonsai. Ask for a little water from the shop owner and pour it on the soil. If you find that the water runs through the soil immediately, this means that the plant has been under watered.

Remember that when you buy bonsai tree, make a major investment for the future. If you can choose a good specimen, it will last you for years and it can even go down in your family from generation to generation!

Characteristics of Bonsai Trees

Bonsai trees have a unique, distinguished look. Some people like to place them outside their home, while others prefer indoor bonsai trees. The practice of keeping bonsai trees at home is nothing new; it is quite an old practice.

Growing bonsai trees indoors will require some knowledge about them and hard work, especially for the beginners.

Choosing and Buying Indoor Bonsai Trees

You can purchase your favorite bonsais from garden stores and nurseries that deals in them. Bonsais are even sold online. The indoor variety comes usually as pre-trained and you do not need to start from scratch to train it. However, you will need to ensure that it is maintained as per theory.

Though availability of bonsai trees is not a big deterrent, choosing one is not that easy. You need to gauge beforehand whether it will suit your existing home décor. You also need to consider whether you are able to take care of it the way it needs. Affordability is also another important factor.

If money is a limiting factor for you, consider going in for a ‘starter’ tree. Buying a starter tree will save you some money at the expense of your time. This type of bonsai trees will require lots of time in training the tree to grow up to a miniscule size. If you have affordability, then go for a mature bonsai tree. It comes already trained and will not need much attention from you.

Popular Indoor Bonsai Tree Varieties

There are many varieties of indoor bonsais. The Hawaiian Umbrella Tree, Ficus Bonsai, Golf Ball Umbrella Bonsai, the Olive Bonsai, the Baby Jade Bonsai and the Heavenly Bamboo Bonsai are highly popular among bonsai enthusiasts.

Apart from these popular bonsais, some other varieties are very much high in demand. The Fukien Tea bonsai, the Bougainvillea bonsai, the Cherry Bush bonsai, the Sago Palms bonsai and so forth are also highly acclaimed by bonsai lovers.

Caring for Indoor Bonsai Trees

If you are looking for indoor bonsais, remember that they mostly come from the tropical region. They require the morning and afternoon sunrays for their nourishment. After bringing your bonsai at home, ensure that it gets sufficient sunlight, even though it is meant for indoors. During winter months, do not expose your tree to cold temperatures. Care for your bonsai just as you will do for your other indoor plants.

You will need to water it when the moisture level of its soil falls. You should have either fluorescent or incandescent lighting for your bonsai tree.

Every two years, the pot of your bonsai tree needs to be changed. You need to carry out this activity during springtime. During re-potting, you need to prune the roots of the tree in order to ensure that it retains its miniscule stature. Changing pots for your bonsai also ensures sufficient drainage. You have to be careful about certain things while changing the pot. The new pot should have the same amount of drainage holes as the old one. This will prevent the tree’s roots from rot and decay.

Another important activity in the maintenance and upkeep of your bonsai tree is fertilizing it. Fertilizing keeps it healthy and beautiful. As your bonsai grows only on a small amount of soil, the nutrients in the soil needs to be replenished periodically. Use a general-purpose liquid fertilizer at half of its recommended strength. Apply fertilizer at least once in a month sparing the winter season.

Insect pests are a real botheration at times. If you leave insect attacks untreated, your sweet bonsai will be ruined. There are many different insecticides that can be used to get rid of pests.

If you really like to derive enjoyment from your little bonsai, make a good choice. It should match with the existing home décor and furniture. Try to spare some time for it on a regular basis. Use this time to prune unwanted growth parts of the tree and help it to achieve the tiny size that makes it special!

The Zelkova bonsai will naturally grow into a broom bonsai if the branches are trimmed in the right manner. This bonsai is a great replacement for the British or Chinese elm as it is quite safe from pests and diseases, even though they are all part of the same family.

The Japanese Grey Bark elm or the Zelkova Serrata is a favorite among most bonsai enthusiasts. It has a rapid and vigorous growth rate and can tolerate heavy trimming. In fact, it will grow back with a bounce after a session of trimming, thus making this bonsai ideal for beginners and experts alike. The bark of the tree is a smooth pale grey, with bright serrated leaves.

The Chinese Zelkova bonsai is a smaller version of the zelkova serrata. It is usually found in higher altitudes and the bark of the tree has a brownish tinge instead of grey.

How to create the perfect Zelkova bonsai

The Zelkova bonsai is made into the broom style by chopping the trunk of the tree into a V cut. The new shoot of the bonsai must be held upright, until the shoots harden in place. Once this is done, you should prune back the shoots to the first buds. You can achieve leaf size reduction wither by balanced defoliation, or by keeping the roots bound.

Remember however, that you should not defoliate the leaves on the same year that you have trimmed the roots and repotted the bonsai. Also, note that you should carry out any major changes in the structure of the bonsai during the winter months, so that there is no excessive loss of sap. Shaping the bonsai during the winter months is also a smart move, because you will be able to see the whole silhouette of the tree, as well as the branch structure.

You can train the branches of Zelkova bonsai to replicate the natural growth of the full-grown Zelkova. You will need to use a string, copper wire and some sticks. Place the sticks between two parallel branches, so that the sticks pushes the branches apart, making a divergence. If you are looking for curving branches, you will need to use the wires to hold the branches in place, as they grow. You can also create curves by attaching small bamboo terraces to the branches.

Caring for your Zelkova bonsai

Watering - Zelkova bonsai does not require too much watering. They will be fine if you water them in the morning and let the soil dry until the next day. During the summer months, you can keep spraying water on the foliage, as this will help to keep the tree cool and fresh. Also remember that the bonsai must not be over watered during the winter months as the plants do not like ‘wet feet’, but at the same time, do not let it dry out.

Sunlight - The Zelkova bonsai will at times require semi-shade and at times full sunlight, in order to grow quickly. During the summer months, the bonsai should be placed in semi-shade, so that the leaves do not dry too quickly due to direct sunlight.

Feeding and Fertilizer – Regular fertilizing the Zelkova bonsai is important. A balanced chemical fertilizer needs to be used every alternate week. You can also fertilize your bonsai each week, by giving it half the dose. You can use natural fertilizer without any problem, from spring to fall.

You should note that the Zelkova bonsai requires deep soil that is well drained and fertile. While the younger bonsai must be repotted every year, it will be enough if you repot the older bonsai every two to three years, when the container becomes too small for the bonsai, or when the roots become matted.

While wiring the Zelkova bonsai care should be taken because the branches are extremely fragile and thin. Do the wiring work during the summertime.

Pests and diseases

The Zelkova bonsai is mostly resistant to pest and diseases – a major reason why it is such a preferred choice among bonsai enthusiasts. If an attack happens however, you can easily deal with it with the help of systematic insecticides and fungicides.

Indeed, a Zelkova bonsai is one of the most versatile and easy to maintain bonsais to have around the house. Watering the bonsai regularly and fertilizing it often will be enough for the up keeping of these exquisite miniatures.