Bonsai, when literally translated means ‘tray growing’ and bonsai gardening refers to the cultivation of these bonsai plants that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also take up a minimal amount of space, thus making your bonsai garden look beautiful yet uncluttered. Bonsai plants are ideal for courtyard gardens and even apartment gardening.
What To Grow While Growing Bonsai
For beginners, it is recommended that native bonsai plants be cultivated as they can grow well in the soil and climactic conditions of the place. Some common bonsai plants that may be grown are:
- Japanese Pagoda: Easy to cultivate, this Japanese bonsai blooms with beautiful white to blue/violet flowers in summer. However, while growing bonsai of this type one should remember that it needs to be pruned regularly.
A Bonsai tree in China
- Chinese Quince: Long living outdoor bonsai plants that produce pink flowers and grow best in the light of the full sun to partial shade. A bonsai garden containing this plant will also need to be pruned often.
- Trident Maple: A little more challenging to grow is this garden and bonsai but it leads to beautiful red leaves in the fall.
Right Soil For Garden And Bonsai
Soil for bonsai plants may be bought or alternately mixed to create a bonsai tree garden. For a basic soil mix: peat, horticultural sand and 3mm grit 50/25/25 may be used while for conifers more quantity grit is needed. For growing bonsai of different types soil nature used may vary slightly. However, bonsai tree garden soil should drain freely. Otherwise the Japanese bonsai will not draw any moisture and nutrients and die, or else the roots will be waterlogged.
Watering The Growing Bonsai
Watering the bonsai garden correctly is only something that can be learnt with time and even then many factors influence the amount of water required by the bonsai plants. Climactic conditions, position of the Japanese bonsai in light or shade and its container (whether a bonsai pot or slab) influence the water requirements of the growing bonsai. The increase in the weight of the bonsai plants after watering, when it is lifted up, also shows when water is required by it.
Caring For Garden And Bonsai
Use a small brush to clean the bonsai plants regularly. Any plant debris left on the soil causes fungal diseases so be sure to remove them for growing bonsai that is healthy. Aphids, ants and spider mites harm the Japanese bonsai so it is important to look out for these pests and keep them away. Powdery mildew, rust and chlorosis are common diseases affecting the bonsai plants and these diseased plants must be treated accordingly.
Fertilizers For Garden And Bonsai
Bonsai gardening requires adequate fertilizer that should be added during the growing season of the bonsai plants. Green Dream, a well balanced organic fertilizer may be used. Lime Sulfur Compound is another fertilizer which preserves and bleaches deadwood on bonsai plants.
Bonsai plants were initially grown in China but now they are cultivated in many different parts of the world. However, a bonsai tree garden takes years to grow, making patience the only attribute that can bring about success.
Reference:
- For Beginners in Bonsai – Bonsai Garden