Indoor Bonsai for Beginners

What is your biggest Bonsai question?

2010-09-12T15:40:00.000-05:00

Dear Friend,

I know that your time is valuable, so I'll get right to the point.

I need your advice!

I'm putting the finishing touches on a new product called "Growing Bonsai for Beginners," and want to make sure that I don't leave anything out.

So, will you let me know your biggest question about growing Bonsai trees? It could be anything... even if you think it's silly.

All you have to do it type your question in the box below and click submit.

It exchange for your advice, if you also leave your email address, I'll send you a free copy of the product before we release it to the market. (Should be ready in a few weeks.)

Ok, here's the easy form:

What is your #1 question about growing Bonsai trees?

The Move to our new Website!

2010-07-15T15:31:00.000-05:00

Come visit us at our new website:

www.bonsai-academy.com

Bonsai Trimming - Do Not Make These Mistakes!

2010-04-26T11:40:00.000-05:00

Bonsai trimming is an important factor in keeping your indoor bonsai alive and happy. Many people make crucial errors when trimming their bonsai which cause their trees to be vulnerable to disease and ultimately die. In an effort to help you here are some things you always need to remember when trimming your bonsai:

ALWAYS wipe down your tools before and after use! This is a crucial one that could make all the difference in the world to the health of your bonsai. Make sure your tools are clean and dry before and after using them for bonsai trimming. If you don't, fungus can grow and can cause disease in your bonsai.
Keep your bonsai tools sharp! The goal here is to make the cleanest, quickest cuts to your bonsai without causing it too much stress. This is why it is important to keep your tools sharp.
Replace any tools which are broken or do not work properly. If you can't fix them - toss them! An improper working bonsai tool can harm your bonsai during bonsai trimming.
Never use ordinary household scissors to trim your bonsai! Many enthusiasts who are new to bonsai make this error and their trees suffer because of it! Only use tools specifically made for bonsai trimming to get the best results! Here are the essential tools you will need: BASIC BONSAI TOOLS
Trim a little at a time. After the initial trimming of your bonsai - let you bonsai rest for a period of a few weeks. This will allow your bonsai to heal properly and give it the strength to withstand another pruning. Plan to prune a little at a time to shape your bonsai.

Click here to learn all about Bonsai Tools and their uses.

Bonsai Gardenia ~ One Of Japan's Treasures!

2010-03-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Whenever you think about bonsai gardenia might not be quite so recognized in this country, however the gardenia is among the most popular varieties in Japan for bonsai, a few others being pine, azalea, maple, and plum. Bonsai is a unique art form with regards to raising shrubs or trees. A mix of proficient trimming and limiting the plant to a compact tray or container keeps it little. A relatively new tree may be trained to look like a tree that has been growing for hundreds of years.

A bonsai gardenia, require very particular care, just like many other varieties of bonsai trees. If you give the proper care this will result in a bonsai tree that can survive for many, many years. In fact, a well maintained bonsai tree could outlive even YOU! The goal is to keep the tree as natural looking as possible only in a miniature form. Many bonsai enthusiasts believe that a bonsai should look as if it had been plucked straight from nature - never being touched by a human hand. While this is the opinion of some - you still can shape your bonsai however you wish.

PREFERRED VARIETY

One of the unique features of the bonsai gardenia is that it will grow beautiful and fragrant flowers just like a normal sized gardenia. You will not see flowers on other bonsai such as pine or ficus. Although the blooms seem, at first look, to be much larger than they should be - in the end it all appears very natural. Gardenia jasminoides and Gardenia thunbergia are two of the most desired species as they are dwarf varieties of gardenia and produce the most successful bonsai specimens.

WATER AND CARE
Bonsai trees, in general, require more attention than your standard every day house plant. The soil needs to be kept moist (but not wet) at all times. Bonsai can very easily die due to over watering. On the other hand, bonsai root systems are much smaller and can easily dry out if not kept moist. So you can see it is a delicate balance that you need to juggle. The gardenia is hardy in zones 7-9 so your bonsai can be grown outdoors in some places around the country. Remember, you bonsai will still need a good deal of attention even though it is growing outside.

BONSAI GARDENIA SHAPE

There is no particular shape that you need to make your bonsai. Bonsai trees are a reflection of you and the style of bonsai you choose to shape your tree with reflects your own unique personality. Pruning and wiring a bonsai is a labor of love. While you are creating something that is uniquely your own it is important to remember that these trees are delicate and care must be taken in order not to damage a branch or trunk. Once wiring is done - you leave the wire in place for as many as six months to allow the tree to be trained into the shape you desire.

A special note about gardenia bonsai. You should only prune and wire a bonsai gardenia when it is not actively blooming or budding. In fact pruning should only take place immediately after a blooming session as finished. To keep you bonsai small make sure that you not only prune, but that you pinch off new buds.

Zelkova Bonsai ~ Growing Requirements And Tips

2010-03-09T06:24:00.005-06:00

The Zelkova bonsai is a well-known variety of bonsai which is particularly well-liked because of its resistant to bug infestations as well as disease complications. This particular aspect helps it be a fairly easy tree to cultivate. However it is primarily the resistance that additionally causes it to be one of the most costly bonsai trees. Probably the most popular shape that you will come across in a Zelkova bonsai may be the broom or Hokidachi style which it is referred to as in Japanese.

The two most in-demand types of the Zelkova bonsai include the Japanese Grey Bark elm and the Chinese Zelkova. The first kind features a vigorous rate of growth. The Chinese Zelkova is a scaled-down variant of the Japanese Zelkova and features a bark which is a brownish or greyish shade.

Raising from Seeds

It is possible to grow this kind of tree from seeds or from a sapling. Because it can be expensive, growing Zelkova bonsai from seeds has become a popular option. You must find a reputable bonsai seed distributor for the best quality. One that I can recommend is Bonsai Boy of NY.

Click here to learn more about Indoor Bonsai Seeds

Watering and Lighting Requirements

The Zelkova bonsai, just like every other bonsai needs sufficient watering. Because it is potted within a compact area, it's going to need watering frequently. Even so, you should not water it too much. The Zelkova would not want wet roots, particularly for the duration of wintertime. Ultimately, it is best to water the bonsai only in the morning hours and then leave it on its own for the remainder of the day.

In the time of summer, you should mist the bonsai with water several times throughout the day.

The Zelkova needs natural light and thus, it should be placed in a spot where it can receive partial or full natural light. Throughout the summer season you need to store it in partial shade to prevent the leaves from getting dried out.

Feeding and Fertilizer

A well-balanced feeding is essential towards the proper development of your bonsai. One half dose fertilizing should be done each 7 days, or a full dose every alternating week. You can use an organic eco-friendly fertilizer on your tree from early spring to fall with no worry.

Bug Infestation and Diseases

A normal functioning Zelkova bonsai is certainly able to fight off a variety of diseases and unwanted pests. Therefore make certain that you don't weaken the tree with frequent wounds and cuts. Prune your bonsai only as needed to avoid any complications.

Potting your Bonsai

Besides each one of these, keep in mind that the Zelkova bonsai needs repotting early on in the spring which really should be performed each year. Having said that, when the tree grows older, you should only repot every few years. The Zelkova has to have deep pots with fertile and well-drained dirt.

Click here for more information about Bonsai Training Pots

Additional Considerations

It is easy to train a Zelkova bonsai to mirror the natural growth of a full sized Zelkova tree. You should employ the use of bonsai wires, strings and sticks to attain this appearance. Small curves may also be formed in the tree by affixing little bamboo terraces to the limbs.

Click here for a tutorial of Bonsai Tools 101

Even so, when using the wires on the Zelkova bonsai, be cautious, since the limbs of this tree tend to be small and delicate.

Growing Bonsai - What the Beginner Needs To Understand

2010-03-06T07:49:00.000-06:00

Now there are a number of beliefs regarding growing bonsai trees. There isn't any correct method. Learning to grow bonsai trees really should be an individual experience. A hobby you are able to individualize for you and enjoy.

Those fortunate enough have a professional bonsai grower available to them will get their advice first hand. The rest of us will need to rely on books, guides and also the web to show them. No matter which techniques you learn through, keep in mind that you are handling something which is living. Bonsai trees are each unique and completely different.

If you are looking for a good guide to learn all about bonsai for beginners, you will find none better than this one:

Educate yourself on the various types of bonsai. You have the traditional and the informal. With the traditional, the tree is normally broader along the bottom and tapers upwards. It is the more challenging bonsai style to master. The simplest to master is the more casual style. Here you prune and wire the bonsai to become a smaller sized version of what shows up naturally.

Research the trees or shrubs. Mimic exactly how they grow. You can begin your bonsai from seed or you can buy one which is already started for you. Buying one could possibly be a simpler approach to begin your hobby. Make certain that you purchase your plant from a trustworthy supplier. Beginning with a strong plant offers you a larger possibility of good results.

Click here for more information about Buying Your First Bonsai Tree

Think about investing in a basic starter kit. These will include everything that you require to grow your bonsai. You will need a shallow pot, specialized dirt, environment friendly fertilizer, particular bonsai tools and lastly your tree. Take into account the kind of tree or shrub you want to begin with as well.

Bonsai growing is an extremely pleasurable hobby to engage in. It is really gratifying taking care of these little trees. They require love and attention. After you have the fundamentals down there will be more advanced tactics to overcome. There are always new facts to find out about growing bonsai.

Bonsai Training Pots ~ Picking the Right Pot for your Bonsai

2010-02-28T07:52:00.003-06:00

The cultivation of indoor bonsai is simply not for the impatient. These stunning little trees require several years to be designed and nurtured to full maturity. Throughout the whole process, they are going to spend quite a bit of time in Bonsai Training Pots. It is just an aspect of the development that can not be overlooked. In the initial stages, your trees will be in nursery containers. These are the containers bonsai trees typically are encountered in when you buy them or receive them as a present.

Quite often, the nursery containers are not really durable and are manufactured from plastic material. This is absolutely not the type of container anyone desires as the final home for his or her treasured indoor bonsai trees. Bonsai training pots must be tough considering that this is where the process starts of shaping these intriguing trees.

During the time of pruning and shaping, the containers are likely to be handled frequently, and as a result keeping the growing trees in flimsy pots is not really sensible. The two most popular materials for training pots tend to be tough plastic material or earthernware. It makes sense for beginner bonsai growers to work with good quality plastic material training pots that can easily stand up to some damage.

Bonsai growers who have been developing their skills for quite a while generally be sure that they have a good range of training pots handy. This really is helpful for whenever a pot breaks or cracks unexpectedly and is additionally used for regular repotting, which typically takes place every few years as part of a normal maintenance regimen for most bonsai.

One of the most crucial things concerning bonsai training pots would be that the shape you choose will determine how the development of the bonsai will progress. The curve of the bonsai will not be established during the time that the bonsai is repotted from the training pot to its ultimate pot. By that point the shaping routine has long been concluded. Plenty of work goes on through the training phase and bonsai training pots are usually regarded as the workhorses of bonsai pots. The developing and trimming is carried out all through this phase, combined with wiring and rewiring.

For this reason bonsai training pots need not be beautiful works of art. As soon as the bonsai are set to ultimately be repotted straight into its permanent home you will start considering good looks. This is the phase when bonsai growers start looking for the most suitable bonsai pots which will display their final product after many years of effort.. This really is when color, decoration and style of bonsai pots are determined.

You can find great bonsai training pots from Bonsai Boy of NY. I have listed a few below that should get you started. Remember to pick a sturdy one that is large enough to house your indoor bonsai tree for a few years.

Indoor Bonsai Seeds - Where to Find The Best Seeds

2010-02-21T12:07:00.000-06:00

Growing indoor bonsai seeds into your own bonsai tree can be a very rewarding experience! It can also be a very frustrating experience if you do not get your seeds from a reputable company.

The cultivating of bonsai trees after having grown them from seeds calls for a lot of patience and care. With the proper care and attention you can watch your seeds grow into your very own indoor bonsai tree. The trees grown from seeds are very delicate and it is only through a lot of dedication and love that they will flourish and grow. It is a rewarding experience to see the fruits of your labor come to life all starting from one little bonsai seed that you planted.

Where To Find The Best Indoor Bonsai Seeds

Bonsai seeds can be purchased through numerous gardening shops however among the finest places is Bonsai Boy of NY. In 1993, well before an average joe heard of the internet, Bonsai Boy made an internet site that has broadened through the years in order to meet the requirements of their customers. These people keep their prices lower by hiring absolutely no outside help. Being a highly successful family run company, they take great pleasure in offering special attention to every single detail of each and every order.

Acquiring Bonsai Seeds Only Through Trustworthy Companies

It is crucial that you get your bonsai seeds through trustworthy companies or else you could end up getting low quality bonsai seeds. High quality bonsai seeds are required to grow a blossoming bonsai plant and when choosing the shops to buy your bonsai seeds, value and price consideration are as vital.

Companies have their particular suppliers. The source where they get the bonsai seeds from can affect the quality of the bonsai tree. Investigate the history of the business you choose to buy from by viewing their about us page. Go online and do a search on the company name to see if you can find any reviews from previous customers.

To grow a great bonsai plant, the quality of the indoor bonsai seed plays a significant part as bonsai cultivation requires lots of care and patience and getting the entire process correct before you begin could save you lots of trouble. Here are some of Bonsai Boy of New York's indoor bonsai seeds that you can choose from:

Growing A Bonsai Tree Indoors | Beginner Tips & Tools You Will Need

2010-02-16T08:46:00.008-06:00

Growing a Bonsai tree indoors can be a rewarding experience even for the most novice of gardeners. Bonsai are not only beautiful but also bring an element of peace to the inside of your home. The art of growing indoor bonsai, for beginners, contanins many factors to be considered and tools to be purchased. Here are a few tips to help make your first bonsai growing experience a successful one.

1. READ ABOUT INDOOR BONSAI
Prior to beginning your bonasai tree planting, it will be vital that you learn and read some information about bonsai first. You do not need to be an expert, however growing bonsai does require that you know some important points first. You can read points here in my blog or, if you are looking for a book resource I would suggest you pick up a copy of Bonsai (101 Essential Tips). This book provides many great tips and was a great resource for me when I was just beginning to grow a bonsai tree indoors.

2. PURCHASE BONSAI TOOLS

Many Bonsai specialty stores will try to push tools on you that you really don't need yet. It is because of this that I wrote a blog post about how to pick Basic Bonsai Tools For Indoor Bonsai . Please click through to the link for a guide to exactly what tools are essential to begin growing indoor bonsai.

3. PICK THE TYPE OF BONSAI

If you are not sure about what type of tree would make a good beginner bonsai tree you aren't alone. It is important that you pick a hearty plant that can withstand the errors you will make. You can read about what plants make the best indoor bonsai for beginners by clicking here: Buying Your First Indoor Bonsai Tree

Hopefully these tips will help you to begin enjoying the beautiful art of growing bonsai trees indoors. Here are some more resources that may help you on your journey:

Bonsai Tree Delivery

2009-10-15T14:41:00.010-05:00

The quality of Japanese bonsai available for purchase has improved greatly over the past 10 years. You can now find bonsai from many different places such as your local plant nursery center and even at the local WalMart or grocery store. But some of the best places to purchase bonsai trees is right here, online. So, what do you need to consider when choosing online bonsai delivery?

First, research a companies' shipping practices. A perfectly healthy bonsai tree can quickly turn into future firewood if it's not shipped correctly. Make sure the company you choose ships their bonsai trees quickly. If they ship their trees by ground service, you run the risk of your bonsai tree arriving dead. Also, make sure they package their bonsai trees with plenty of cushioning to assure your Japanese bonsai will arrive undamaged. Take it from me, UPS and FedEx do not care what is inside your box or how much you paid for a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The ultimate goal is to find an online company who provides high quality bonsai trees and who ships them safely and quickly.

One of the most reputable online bonsai tree stores is Bonsai Boy of NY. They carry a unique selection of high-quality bonsai trees at a fair price and always ship their trees with the utmost care. There are many other online dealers but I have never had an experience purchasing bonsai trees and supplies from them.

I will offer a word of caution about purchasing "bonsai" from Ebay. There are many people on Ebay who have beautiful pictures - but they don't look ANYTHING like the bonsai tree you receive. Make sure when you are bidding that you ask if the picture is WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). Also, ask how they will ship it - many don't understand how to ship bonsai trees properly.

How to Shape your First Japanese Bonsai Tree

2009-10-11T07:32:00.003-05:00

Welcome back to Indoor Bonsai for Beginners!

Shaping your first Japanese bonsai tree will require you to have patience with yourself. You will make mistakes - be prepared for that. Remember to keep the image of the tree you would like to produce in your mind at all times. Let's get started!

Remember you will need your BASIC BONSAI TOOLS to get started.

1. Take your bud scissors and trim away at the branches of the tree to create your basic bonsai shape. Just keep snipping your bonsai until you've reached the basic shape that you desire. Use the concave pruner to remove branches at the trunk. Hold our pruner directly perpendicular to your trunk and snip off your branches.

2. Once you've reached the basic shape, using bonsai wire carefully wrap the branches and trunk of your tree to alter it's shape and coax it into the bonsai tree in your mind. Take care not to wrap your tree or branch too tightly as this can hurt the delicate bark and cause unsightly scaring on your tree.

3. Once you are done pruning and wiring your tree, water it well and LEAVE IT ALONE. Avoid the urge to continue to prune it. Your tree needs to rest now to recover from the surgery you just performed upon it. Just keep the soil moist (but not wet) for the next month. Observe your tree and watch how it's healing itself.

That's it! You've created your very first Japanese bonsai! Remember, the odds are that this tree will most likely perish. But, with continued practice, you will home in your skills and create beautiful bonsai trees.

Indoor Bonsai - Think TREE

2009-09-12T16:51:00.005-05:00

Welcome Back to Indoor Bonsai for Beginners!

In preparation for our journey into the art of bonsai I popped in my old VHS tape of "The Karate Kid" this past week. Yes yes....I do STILL have a VHS player and it still works! I watched the movie and felt my heart soaring back to my teenage years watching a young, awkward boy from Jersey named Daniel build a bond with an old and wise karate master from Okinawa named Mr. Miyagi.

I was instantly drawn in by the scene where Daniel visits Mr. Miyagi to thank him for fixing his bike.

Mr. Miyagi invites Daniel to give it a try and Daniel is afraid he is going to mess it up. So, Mr. Miyagi sits Daniel down and tells him to close eye (ok...close his eyes...couldn't resist) and concentrate. "Think only tree...make a perfect picture down to last pine needle...wipe from mind everything but tree. Nothing exists in whole world but tree. You got it? Ok open eye...remember picture? Make like picture. Just trust picture...if it come from inside of you always right tree" So Daniel awkwardly begins to trim his juniper focusing on making his vision come to life.

So now it's your turn...close eye...er I mean close your eyes and think about the word tree. In your mind see your tree down to the last pine needle...nothing but tree...got it? Ok...make your juniper look like your picture.

Seriously - this does work for most people. However, if you are still having difficulty coming up with a shape for your indoor bonsai tree...take a look at the following gallery of bonsai trees for inspiration.

The AiKi-Bonsai Center in Italy has some beautiful bonsai examples here:

Are you getting a clearer picture in your mind? It never hurts to have an actual picture to go off of. In fact many of those who are master bonsai artists draw images before creating their bonsai trees.

So now think tree....only tree.....nothing exists in the whole world except tree....got it? Good...let's make your juniper look like the bonsai tree in your mind.

Types of Bonsai - Learning the Styles

2009-09-07T20:46:00.012-05:00

Welcome back to Indoor Bonsai for Beginners!

Today we are going to talk about the different types (or styles) of bonsai trees.

I know - I know....I've told you the bonsai tools you need to purchase and we decided which bonsai starter tree we are picking. So..why all this history? Simply because knowledge is power. The more you know about bonsai history the better bonsai-master you will become. Yes - I said bonsai-MASTER. After all - it's our goal to give you all the tools you need to create and maintain a wide variety of indoor bonsai.

Types of Indoor Bonsai (Styles)

After looking at many different types of bonsai trees you will notice that there are many unique trees. However, they have certain elements in common. These can be defined in the types of bonsai (or styles of bonsai).

FORMAL UPRIGHT
Formal Upright bonsai are known for their perfectly straight trunks which are wide at the base and taper uniformly to the top of the tree. The branches all should be the same length giving you a symmetrical look when viewed from any angle. Formal upright bonsai represent what a tree would look like if it were grown in ideal conditions. This is why the formal upright bonsai is the most difficult style to master.

INFORMAL UPRIGHT
Informal Upright bonsai the trunk slightly bends. Unlike the formal upright, this type of bonsai appears to be bending either due to wind or leaning towards the sun. Branches are much less uniform. This tree represents what a tree would look like if it had experienced harsh elements in it's early formative years.

SLANT STYLE
Slant Style trees are identified by their angular trunks. There is a definite slope to the trunk as if sustained wind had caused the tree to bend permanently. Similarly, the branch structure is heavily weighted to the side the tree is leaning.

SEMI-CASCADE STYLE
The Semi-Cascade Style is similar to the Cascade Style except for the fact that the branches to extend past the bonsai pot but do not dip below it. It is what one would see on the side of a cliff. A very unique style which is much easier to achieve.

CASCADE STYLE
The Cascade Style can be identified by it's branches that dip below the bonsai pot. It's almost as if gravity is coaxing the tree downward. This style is one of the easier styles to achieve.

Knowing these types of bonsai will help you pick out your first indoor bonsai tree. Look at the trunk - see how it naturally grows. This will give you an idea of what your potential bonsai tree is already destined for. FINALLY - we are ready to get started!! Go out and get that Juniper as we discussed and get your tools ready. Let's BONSAI!

The History of Bonsai

2009-08-29T07:53:00.011-05:00

Welcome back to Indoor Bonsai for Beginners!

Before we start diving into the different styles of indoor bonsai trees - let's recap what we've already discussed:

Basic Bonsai Tools 101 for Indoor Bonsai
In this lesson we talked about the fact that there are MANY different indoor bonsai tools available to you. We found out there are (4) basic tools that you will need as a beginner to the hobby:

Concave Pruner
Bud Scissors
Bonsai Wire Cutters
Knob Cutters

Buying your First Indoor Bonsai Tree
This lesson we talked about the (2) best tree choices for beginners: the Japanese Red Maple and the Juniper. We determined that because your first bonsai will probably not make it, that we would start with the Juniper because it is cheap and easy to prune.

There are also some great resources for you to learn more about bonsai before beginning to work on your first Japanese bonsai tree:

RESOURCES

The Complete Beginners Guide To Bonsai

Classic Bonsai of Japan

The Art of Bonsai: Creation, Care and Enjoyment

The History of Bonsai

Let's begin this lesson with a basic Bonsai history lesson.

The word "bonsai" can be translated as "tray planting". The art of bonsai is believed to have started in the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) in China. Legend indicates that an emperor created a landscaping design in his courtyard which was so detailed that it included valleys, rivers, lakes, hills and trees. It is believed he created this miniature representation of his empire so he might gaze upon it from his palace window.

It was not until the Heian Period (794 - 1191 AD) that bonsai is believed to have been brought to Japan by Buddhist monks. The art of bonsai became a privilege only practiced by the wealthiest of families. It was only after the Chinese invasion of Japan in the 14th century that bonsai was allowed to be created by all classes of Japanese society. After bonsai was established in Japan, they went to extreme measures to fine-tune the art and much credit must be given to these early bonsai masters. The changes they made is reflected in what we consider to be bonsai today.

Bonsai began to expand westward. The earliest example of this was at the Third Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1878. The bonsai were not received well by the people of Europe and many felt the trees looked "tortured". These opinions remained in place until 1935 when bonsai was finally deemed an art form in the west.

At the end of World War II, bonsai rose to popularity once again. Soldiers returning from Japan with bonsai trees set off interest in the art. The large population of Japanese-Americans were fundamentally essential in teaching westerners how to properly care for their bonsai. Their knowledge helped to fuel a movement in America and sparked much interest in bonsai.

Our next lesson will go over the different indoor bonsai tree types.

Buying your first Indoor Bonsai Tree

2009-08-23T20:59:00.004-05:00

Welcome back to Indoor Bonsai for Beginners!

You should now have your 4 essential indoor bonsai tools and I bet you are itching to being pruning something! No worries...you are close! Today we are start talking about picking your first indoor bonsai tree. Exciting, isn't it!? Today we will talk about which trees are the best for beginners and what each has to offer.

Before we begin a note about growing your own indoor bonsai starter from seeds. There is nothing wrong with this method. In fact, this may seem like the most economical way to go but the drawback...it can take over a YEAR before you can begin pruning your new indoor bonsai. Why wait a whole year? It's much easier to head to your local gardening shop and pick up your first starter indoor bonsai specimen. Why? Bluntly, because we want to get started creating our indoor bonsai NOW! So...let's get started!

JAPANESE RED MAPLE

This is a great starter tree for the indoor bonsai beginner and a beautiful tree to boot. The leaves of this indoor bonsai will be a duller red in the summer. However, the real show is in the fall when the leaves turn a vivid red/orange. Another bonus is that this is an easy indoor bonsai to prune. The leaves can be shrunk down to one or less inches which is perfect for the upright informal style of indoor bonsai. It is easy on the pocketbook and you can find these mainly online or at your local nursery (call ahead - not all nurseries carry this). The color is what makes it my first choice for an indoor bonsai.

JUNIPER

Many fondly call this the "Karate Kid" tree. It is the type of indoor bonsai which is the most recognizable by the general public for being a bonsai tree. In truth, it's not a tree...it's really a shrub. There are a wide variety of junipers you can choose from. With it's distinctive needles and easy-to-shape trunk, the juniper really epitomizes "bonsai". Junipers are economical and are the easiest to trim and form. Another bonus, they can easily be purchased from your local nursery.

So, for our first indoor bonsai tree we are going to begin with ...... (insert drumroll)... the Juniper. Hey wait a minute...didn't I just say the Japanese Maple was my FIRST choice? Why pick the Juniper then? Junipers are probably more easily found at your local nursery -vs- the Japanese maple. Also, the cold hard truth is that your first indoor bonsai will probably die. It's a sad fact but the art of indoor bonsai is all trial and error. You don't ride a bike the first time you get on it...you are going to make mistakes. The same applies to indoor bonsai you are going to forget to water...water too much...bottom line...the odds are your first tree is a goner. The Juniper will allow you to practice your skills and to make the mistakes on the cheapest test-subject possible.

So be prepared to go to your local nursery and pick up your juniper. Best to get a 5 gallon size to start with. When you pick your juniper make sure to consider the natural shape of the trunk for your new indoor bonsai. While you can "train" a trunk to conform to the shape you'd like it to be...you aren't a miracle worker. Start with a trunk shape that says BONSAI TREE to you. Got it? Good.

Before you head out to get your first victim it's a good idea for us to go over the history of Bonsai. I know...you want to get started already, right? You need to learn how to walk before you can run. Until next time!

Basic Bonsai Tools 101 for Indoor Bonsai

2009-08-19T17:31:00.009-05:00

You will no doubt have many questions about the art of Indoor Bonsai including which bonsai tools are truly necessary for beginners. This hobby can get expensive and it is very easy to go overboard and spend tons of money buying tools that you won't need until you become more advanced in pruning your bonsai trees. It is my intention to give you the low down on the essential indoor bonsai tools you will need right now and discuss why each tool is necessary. So let's get started! You will only need 4 tools to start out with.

CONCAVE PRUNER

The Concave Pruner should be your primary initial purchase. Concave pruners are used to remove branches from indoor bonsai without damaging the tree. They also cut off unwanted branches leaving a concave indentation - thus why they are called concave pruners. The concave indentation helps the indoor bonsai tree heal much more quickly and leaves minimal "knobbing" or unsightly scaring of the trunk. This is the tool you will utilize the most when pruning your indoor bonsai. I suggest you start with the 8 inch size as it is the most manageable and is safe to cut branches up to 1 1/2 inches thick. You can purchase them here:

Indoor Bonsai Tools: Concave Pruner

BUD SCISSORS

Bud scissors are used to trim buds, leaves and very tiny branches from your indoor bonsai. This tool is mainly used for delicate trimming. Bud scissors have a very short blade which provides superior control. These will allow you to get to the innermost sections of your indoor bonsai tree and allow you to trim with extreme precision. You can purchase them here:

Indoor Bonsai Tools: Bud Scissors (Satsuki Shears)

BONSAI WIRE CUTTERS

Many indoor bonsai require "training" to achieve the shape that you want it to have. Bonsai tree training requires using either aluminum or special copper wire which is wrapped around the trunk of your indoor bonsai to give it a particular shape. This process can take time. Once your indoor bonsai has achieved your intended shape you will need bonsai wire cutters to remove the wire from your tree. Bonsai wire cutters are specially designed to cut at the very tip of the blades. This will allow you to cut the wire without damaging your indoor bonsai tree. Do not buy hardware store wire cutters - they WILL seriously mutilate your bonsai tree! You can purchase them here:

Indoor Bonsai Tools: Bonsai Wire Cutters

KNOB CUTTER

While not the most frequently used tool, the knob cutter is a definite "must have" in your indoor bonsai tool kit. Knob cutters (also known as melon ball cutters) are used to cut the unsightly knobs from your indoor bonsai trunk. It can also be used to trim the roots of your bonsai tree to help it grow better. It's unique shape allows you to take off any bonsai callouses without damaging your indoor bonsai tree. I will warn you - these blades are SHARP! Please use extreme caution when using these. It is also a good idea to make sure you keep your knob cutter wiped free from debris. Because the root area can be a very damp place, you would be advised to wipe down your blades with a rag with lubricating oil to protect your cutter from rust. You can buy them here:

Indoor Bonsai Tools: Knob Cutter

There are 2 other beginner tools you will need soon: Bonsai Scissors and a Single Point Root Rake. We will discuss these more in depth in a future lesson. You can wait to purchase these or you can purchase a set of these plus the 4 basic indoor bonsai tools by clicking here:

Bonsai Tools - Entire Set
Set Includes 6 Tools

Beyond these 6 - there are a multitude of useful tools that can be helpful in specific situations - however these are only 4 you will need to begin your indoor bonsai hobby. Once we begin to get into more advanced bonsai tree care we will go over these new tools. For now just buy your bonsai tools.

There are many places on the web you can buy your bonsai tools - one of the best is Bonsai Boy of NY. Not only do they sell bonsai tools - but they sell just about everything you are going to need to progress in this hobby.

Here's a deal on a Student Bonsai Tool Kit:

Student Bonsai Tool Kit

Get ready for the next article where we will start talking about purchasing your first indoor bonsai tree.

Welcome to Indoor Bonsai

2009-08-19T09:10:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Indoor Bonsai for Beginners. This site provides Bonsai care tips and Bonsai tool techniques for those who are beginning Bonsai enthusiasts. If you have questions not covered in Indoor Bonsai please feel free to email your question to jboesen@hotmail.com

Indoor Bonsai Privacy Policy

2009-08-19T09:06:00.002-05:00

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