GARDENER'S READING ROOM
The Art of Gardening
Indoor Plants

Bonsai: Getting Started

Bonsai is a fun and rewarding hobby, but as with any hobby, a little research can make the difference between success and failure in your introduction to this ancient and beautiful art form.

There is a vast amount of information about growing and caring for bonsai right at your fingertips. The internet is a great place to begin to demystify and delve into the nuts and bolts of training nature in miniature. There are also many books on the subject. One that I recommend as a well-rounded introduction into the hobby is put out by Ortho. All About Bonsai is very basic and filled with many photos for inspiration. Information is the first tool you should have to get off to a good start.

As with any obsession, the deeper you dive into bonsai the more tools and accessories you will discover you can't do without. However, in the beginning you can easily get by with a few simple tools. A pair of bonsai scissors is essential for removing small branches, twigs and leaves as well as pruning roots. In fact, scissors were the only tool I owned when I first began working on little trees. It was a few years into the endeavor before I finally felt I needed anything else. Sharp pruners are also invaluable for removing larger limbs or roots. These two implements can carry you through your first year or two of learning before you'll need to invest further.

The next step, after scrolling through articles and chapters on care and styling, is to decide what type of bonsai best suits you. Consider your surroundings. Do you live in an apartment or a house? Would you prefer to keep trees indoors or out? There are benefits to both. Outdoor bonsai experience seasonal changes from spring buds and blooms to vibrant fall color and bare winter twigs. Indoor bonsai can be enjoyed the year round from within the warmth of your home. In either case I recommend starting with less expensive plant material. Also, ask about plant species that are more likely to hold up in less than ideal circumstances such as boxwood, junipers, or Chinese elm. It's a sad truth, but when you are first learning to care for bonsai not all will survive.

To make life a little easier, some thoughtful soul formulated a fertilizer specifically for bonsai. This should be used at half strength every two weeks during the spring and summer. Whether in or outdoors, don't feed your trees during the fall and winter while they're dormant. This is a time of rest for the trees and yourself, so just check on them occasionally and make sure they don't dry out. Winter is a wonderful time for meditation and planning the future of your bonsai. Resume feeding in March when the plants start growing.

Hopefully you aren't feeling overwhelmed and even feel comfortable that you can maintain and care for a living, growing sculpture. Maybe next time we'll explore some of the principles and styles of bonsai training and see where that leads us.

By Brian Mumm
Skylights Spring 2008, Vol 23, No. 1

Other articles on the art of gardening

Other articles on indoor plants