Bonsai trees are a cross section of art, architecture and nature. They’re a great outlet for expressing creativity through nurturing a natural plant. The plants are often associated with harmony, balance and inner peace. They offer a meditative outlet that requires thoughtful pruning and careful planning.

The Care and Keeping of Your Bonsai

Before you can begin shaping your bonsai, it’s essential to know how to care for it. Some elements of care depend on the species of tree used. Examples of common bonsai trees include ficuses, junipers and Japanese maples.

Location is Key

A bonsai tree can be kept either indoors or outdoors. For indoor trees, a bonsai will do best at a south-facing window, as ample light is crucial to its health. In addition to this, indoor bonsais are typically of a tropical species, meaning they do best in high humidity. Placing your tree on a humidity tray or an area of your home with a constant temperature can help your plant thrive.

For an outdoor bonsai, you’ll need to find a spot with lots of light. That being said, it’s important to be aware of how your environment may impact your tree. Missouri summers are hot so you may need to provide some afternoon shade for your tree to ensure it isn’t getting too much light. On the other hand, in the winter you may need to protect your tree from Missouri’s freezing temperatures and inclement weather by placing them in a greenhouse, using a cold frame or covering their pots to protect their roots. Do this after the fall, as the exposure to cooler temperatures will encourage the trees to enter dormancy.

When to Water

When it comes to watering your bonsai tree, there isn’t any set way to establish a watering schedule. One of the best ways to understand your tree’s hydration needs every day is by placing your finger about 1 cm deep into the soil to check moisture levels. If the soil is slightly dry, water your bonsai tree. If the soil is still moist, skip watering for the day. As you continue this process, you’ll gain a better understanding of what the soil looks and feels like when it’s time to water your tree and can slowly develop a set schedule from there.

The Right Mix

When it comes to the right soil, there are three qualities to consider: water retention, drainage and aeration. The soil needs to be able to hold enough water to provide the tree with sufficient moisture while releasing enough water so that the tree’s roots don’t rot. Aeration is important as small pockets of air allow for oxygen to make its way to the roots and encourage the development of good bacteria. Make sure the pot you’ve selected is the right size for your tree with ample drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

Fun Fact

The most common components of Bonsai soil are akadama, pumice, lava rock, organic potting compost and fine gravel (also known as grit). Different types of bonsai trees will require different mixtures of soil. Make sure you pay attention to the species of tree you purchase to develop the best component mixture for your plant.

Taking Shape

There are two basic methods of styling your bonsai tree, pruning and wiring. Bonsai trees grow with apical dominance, meaning the most dominant growth occurs on the center steps. With pruning, you’re trimming the top and outer leaves of the tree, which encourages the bonsai to redistribute growth to its inner and lower parts. This helps in both maintaining the tree, and making it easier to shape yourself. If your bonsai is an outdoor tree, maintenance pruning can be done in early spring to late fall, pausing when the tree enters its winterized dormant state. Pruning is an essential part of controlling the growth and development of your bonsai tree and it's recommended to prune 2-4 times a year to maintain the tree’s shape.

It’s also incredibly important to prune the roots of your bonsai. Once you’ve selected your bonsai pot, you’ll need to trim its roots so that the root ball will fit without having to fold or tuck any long roots in. To start this process, un-pot your plant and then gently comb out the roots using a root hook or chopstick. When pruning, you’ll want to cut off thicker roots rather than the smaller, thin roots as they don’t absorb water as well. Once you’ve finished pruning the roots, place the plant back in the pot on a thin layer of soil, then slowly fill the pot, making sure to poke soil into the spaces between the roots to ensure they’re evenly saturated.

Wiring is the act of wrapping wires around your bonsai’s limbs to control and alter its shape. Bonsai trees are best wired in the winter when they have the least amount of leaves and wire made of anodized aluminum or annealed copper is used most often. For beginners, anodized aluminum is best due to accessibility and ease of installation. To start, wrap the wire around the base of the tree at least once to ensure the wire will remain secure to the tree. Then, begin wrapping one branch at a time at a 45-degree angle. This promotes growth while maintaining the wired shape. Branches can be wired in pairs or on their own, depending on the design. Once the tree is wired, you can bend and reposition the branches. Make sure to check on the wires as the tree goes, making sure to remove the wiring before it begins digging into the bark. When it’s time to remove the wire, make sure to cut it off rather than unwind it to help protect your tree’s branches.

Tool Kit

Here are some key items to have on hand when you’re ready to start your own bonsai journey.

• A pot for your bonsai

• Bonsai soil or the ingredients to make your own combination

• Clippers or garden shears to cut branches

• Anodized aluminum wire

• Pliers or a wire cutter

• Long and narrow scissors to prune leaves