What Makes a Banyan Bonsai So Special

The banyan bonsai does not cease to generate the awe and appreciation of hobby gardeners because of its endless associations with mysticism and spirituality. It is commonly found in the marshy areas of most of the Asian countries and is often believed to be haunted by supernatural presence. Beyond these fantasy elements, the banyan also stands for a sign of reassurance and generates the admiration of people because of its beautiful art and design. On top of that, banyan can grow on its own, requiring the least amount of tending.

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.