Care for Indoor Bonsai Trees

Contrary to what many of us think, bonsai does not refer to a tree. It's an artistic form of gardening. The word means, "tray growing." Bonsai began more than 1,000 years ago in China and was enthusiastically adopted by the Japanese, who shared the art form with the world more than a hundred years ago. There are a few secrets to caring for bonsai plants, but anyone with a moderate green thumb should be able to keep their bonsai projects alive and thriving.

There are literally hundreds of varieties of bonsai plants, and they are not all trees. Get a book on the subject and read up on the types of bonsai plants that are available. Consider the temperature variations the plant will be exposed to, and the effect you want to create as you sculpt the plant.

If anything goes wrong with a bonsai project, it will most likely be watering. Avoid drowning your plant, which will fill up its fibers with water until photosynthesis shuts down. Test the soil periodically by sticking your finger in it past the first knuckle. If it is almost completely dry, it's time to water. Water till a little excess comes out of the bottom of the pot, then leave it alone till it's dry again. Resist the urge to water more frequently.

Visit your local gardening center. Find a bonsai specialist, if possible. Take information about the species of bonsai you are growing and any characteristics or requirements you can find out. Don't skimp on soil for your bonsai projects. Spending a little extra for a high-quality potting soil can make all the difference in your bonsai's health. Purchase a soil that suits your particular species.

Choose a fertilizer that's appropriate for your bonsai. Different varieties have different needs, so don't purchase a generic plant fertilizer without checking the needs of your species. Apply water-soluble fertilizer twice a month when the soil is moist and loose.

Select a pot that is 2/3 to 3/4 as wide as the tree's height, and half as deep. Wrap a cord around the tree's trunk to measure the diameter, and purchase a pot about that tall. This ideal is for show-ready trees, and not new trees that are just starting out. As the tree grows and develops, you'll probably re-pot it several times.

Follow the three basic principles of pruning. Remove branches that clutter up the design you are working toward. Second, prune to redirect growth to areas you are trying to fill in. Finally, prune to encourage fine branching and back budding, using techniques like leaf trimming and pinching buds and stems. Prune the roots if they begin to adhere to the sides of the pot.

Place your bonsai so it gets some morning sun, and afternoon shade during the hottest parts of the day. Know your bonsai's light requirements. Make sure the room has some humidity, or the plant will dry out too quickly. Be sure the temperature in the room doesn't fall below 55 degrees F for tropical and subtropical varieties, or rise above 100 degrees F. Most bonsai can take full sun comfortably, but not all varieties.