Definition of Bonsai

Bonsai, pronounced bone-sigh, can be defined as the union between art and nature. The word bonsai can literally be defined by breaking the word into its two components, bon, meaning tray and sai, meaning tree. Bonsai, tree or shrub planted in a tray, is an art form that essentially has no end. The tree is alive and continually changing.

Tropical/Subtropical

Tropical and Subtropical bonsai trees are commonly grown indoors all year round. Some bonsai types include Ficus, Serissa, Fukien Tea, Brush Cherry, Bougainvillea, Dwarf Umbrella, and some Elms. There are many different varieties within each family of bonsai. For example, Serissa includes Japanese Pink Serissa, Snow Rose Serissa, and Chinese Serissa, to name a few. Many tropical/subtropical bonsai are easily maintained as indoor bonsai all year round as long as watering and lighting needs are maintained.

Deciduous

Deciduous bonsai trees annually shed their leaves in winter as they enter their winter dormancy period. Deciduous bonsai include Maple, Larch, Crabapple, Apricot, Hornbeam, Gingo, and many Elm species, to name a few. Deciduous bonsai are not suitable for growing indoors during the winter months because they require their winter rest period, which is facilitated by the colder weather. Deciduous bonsai are known for their Spring and Fall foliage color changes. Colors typically range from yellow to oranges to deep reds.

Evergreen

Evergreen bonsai trees maintain their foliage throughout the season changes. Evergreen bonsai types include Junipers, Boxwoods, most Pines, and Azalea, to name a few. Some evergreen bonsai exhibit a dull green or yellowish tint to their foliage during their winter dormancy period. Most evergreen bonsai require a winter dormancy period, or rest period, in order to maintain their ongoing health.

Basic Scissors

Scissors are used to cut the foliage, smaller branches, and roots. There are many specialized types of scissors. No matter what your scissor of choice may be, it is important to maintain a sharp edge on all of your tools in order to cleanly cut through branches and not smash them. Cutting branches cleanly helps to promote healing and reduces the chances of disease. Scissors used to cut branches should be kept separate from those used to cut roots. Scissors used to cut roots dull much more quickly than those used to cut branches. In keeping two separate sets of scissors you will ensure that your scissors used to prune foliage and small branches are kept sharp.

Concave Cutters

Concave cutters are used to cut larger branches. Concave cutters cut a small indentation into the truck or branch in order to facilitate healing. As with all bonsai cutting tools, a sharp edge should be maintained in order to cleanly cut through branches and not smash them. Clean cuts help to promote healing and reduce the chances of disease on the freshly cut surface. We consider concave cutters the second most important tool used to prune and train bonsai.

Pottery

Bonsai pottery comes in many sizes and shapes. It is usually made of a clay material, although inexpensive plastic bonsai containers are available. Bonsai containers contain drainage holes in their bottoms so that excess water can drain from the container. Bonsai containers come in glazed and unglazed clay. Unglazed clay containers can be various shades of gray, dark green, or brown depending on the type of clay. Because bonsai pots contain drainage holes in the bottom, screens must be used to hold soil in the container.

Soil

The type of soil used to plant bonsai depends upon the type of tree planted. Evergreen trees typically enjoy more humus or pine bark in their soil than do tropical plants. Tropical plants commonly enjoy more sand in their soil. Our basic soil mixture is composed of the following:

1 part ProMix BX
1 part coarse sand
1 part Turface

• The stones on the top are used by the manufacturer to keep the soil in the pot during shipping and at the retailers location. We suggest that you remove them from the top of the soil. In our experience the stones make it difficult to water and it takes longer for the plant to dry down.
• The soil used is typically a peat moss mix that is commonly used for house plants. It seems to hold water. We would suggest changing it out.
• Typically the pots are plastic, although we have encountered a few ceramic pots. We would suggest buying a ceramic bonsai pot and a bag of bonsai soil. If you purchase a pot that is slightly larger than the current pot, it is very easy to transplant from the small pot to the larger pot with minimal effort.
  

Training Wire

Training wire is used to train the bonsai branches the way that you want them to grow. Wire is typically anodized aluminum or solid copper. The wire is placed on the tree wiring two branches together or a branch and the truck together, winding the wire in a 45 degree angle snug around the trunk and branches. Wire is removed within a few months before the trunk and branches begin to grow around the wire, creating undesirable wire marks. Snub nose wire cutters are available to cut wire close to the trunk and branches. The wire should be cut off in small sections and not unwound. Unwinding the wire can result in damage to the delicate branches.