Easy Bonsai

Starter Kit
E-BOOK
 INTRODUCTION
Growing and nurturing a bonsai tree is a hobby which is very relaxing and therapeutic
to some. It is also a hobby which however requires a huge amount of patience and
time. This is especially the case if you are growing a tree from seed. The hobby of bonsai
growing will reward you with beautiful master pieces which you could truly be proud
of and have as your legacy.

The word bonsai literally converts to meaning a plant in a pot or tray planting.
Although the word may sound quite simple, the art of Bonsai is much more than just a
plant in a pot. The aim of a bonsai grower is to create the appearance of a old and great
size tree in a miniature version. This is achieved by allowing a plant to grow with strong
roots and branch system which extend in all directions of the pot, thus creating an
illusion of natures effect on trees. Features such as this, along with perfect symmetry,
balance and proportion are the characteristics of a perfect bonsai tree.

By undertaking a bonsai hobby, you will travel on a journey which will expand your
horizon in countless ways. You will begin to appreciate nature and start looking at
trees, bushes and shrubs quite differently. You will find yourself in places of the garden
center where nobody ever bothers looking. You will appreciate damaged and
odd-looking plants in shops which no one else bothers giving a second look at. How
this hobby will affect you will be unpredictable just as nature itself but be sure you will
enjoy and learn from this journey.

This book will introduce you to bonsai techniques and explain how to grow your own
bonsai masterpieces from seeds. The wonder of bonsai is that there is no ‘correct way’
of doing anything. This book will guide you through the majority of the crucial stages
of growing a bonsai. Let’s begin.

02 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

 HISTORY
When you think of a Bonsai tree, you automatically associate it with Japan. While Bonsai
is mostly associated with Japan, it in fact originated in China and then it spread
eastwards towards Japan and Korea. Bonsai was initially created by Buddhist monk
who wished to bring the nature and its beauty into the temples. Ancient paintings and
scripts show that ornamental trees were cultivated by the Chinese around 600AD, but
many scholars and historians believe that bonsai trees were grown in China as far back
as 500 or 1000 BC. The first appearance of bonsai in Japan appeared around the 12th
century.

The Chinese were always fascinated by flowers and plants and their country is gifted
with a wide variety of flora, so there is no surprise that artistic cultivation of plants
started in China. From garden to landscapes the Chinese have always been fascinated
by miniature objects. The Chinese also believed that miniature items contained within
them a concentrated mythical or magical powers.

The word Bonsai literally means ‘tree in a tray’ and as we know today, bonsai trees are
also very famous for their elegant pots where they grow. The development of Chinese
and Korean ceramics therefore played an important prole in the popularization of
Bonsai. Even to this day we notice that the most revered containers for show piece
Bonsai’s are antique Chinese ceramic pots.

The Bonsai trees grown in China and Japan has many differences and the art itself
evolved through different paths throughout history. Bonsai trees in China are still very
much an ancient tradition and the trees are presented in uninformed fashion. While on
the other hand, Bonsai trees from Japan are more pleasing and naturalistic visually. You
could say that Bonsai trees in Japan are well refined and groomed than the trees from
China. Both types of Bonsai trees have their own community of admirers and the trees
themselves have their own charm about them.

The majority of Bonsai trees seen in Europe and United States since World War II has
been of Japanese origin. Now we see that the monopoly Japan had held to this date in
Bonsai has started to be shared by a variety of countries. Having said that, value of a
Japanese Bonsai is still higher than others.

The Bonsai community owe a great deal of gratitude to the Japanese and Chinese
artists for developing such a beautiful artform and keeping it alive for almost 2500
years. Without the dedication and creations of Bonsai artists, we would not be able to
enjoy Bonsai trees as we know it today.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 03
 STYLES OF BONSAI TREES
As a beginner, you should note that there is no 'right style' of bonsai and no single tree
can be classified as right. You must note that bonsai trees are a representation of
nature. Creating a bonsai master piece is about creating something from your vision
and creativity. This instruction guide is a set of instructions on how to create a bonsai
tree. What you make of this instruction guide is simply in your own hands.

The key thing to note is that you should try and make a Bonsai tree look as natural as
possible. Let the tree teach you it's abilities and what it is capable of. If the tree wants to
bend towards the left, then let it bend that way, you should work with it and listen to
what the tree is trying to tell you. Only then will you become a master bonsai grower
and create beautiful bonsai trees to be proud of.

The older a Bonsai tree looks, the better it's appearance will be. You should try to
project the appearance of age and maturity in a mature form. Even if the tree is relative-
ly young you are able to craft it into looking like it's been going for decade. This is what
the art of bonsai is all about.

There are two general styles of bonsai: the classic (koten) and the informal or 'comic'
(bunjin). In the former, the trunk of the tree is wider at the base and tapers off towards
the top; it is just the opposite in the 'bunjin'. This is style harder to grasp.

It is always important to note that you will be working with a life plant. when you spend
some time and study the tree, you will be able to easily find a suitable Style or Styles for
that particular tree . It is often easy to train a plant into several styles, even if it's upright
like a beech or elegantly slender like a maple. As a bonsai grower, you are easily able to
interpret a tree into many different ways. As mentioned before you should work with
the plant in order to achieve its best and it is advisable not to force the plant into
growing in a style which it is not accustomed to. You should work with the work with
the gift mother nature will present to you and master it.

There are five main styles of Bonsai trees and they are:
- Formal upright
- Informal upright
- Slanting (or windswept)
- Semi-cascade
- Cascade.

Each of these styles have their own individual serenity about them.

04 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

Formal upright Bonsai

Formal upright Bonsai style which is known as ‘Chokkan’ is a very common style of
Bonsai tree. This is a style which is naturally occurring especially when the trees
exposed to lots of light and grows in an ideal condition without any competition. In
order to achieve this style, the tapering of the upright-growing trunk must be visible
clearly. The trunks are usually therefore much thicker at the base and gradually gets
thinner as it reaches its apex. Branching should normally begin at 1/4 of the total
length of the trunk. The top of the tree should be followed by a single branch the tree
trunk should not find the entire height of a tree.

Informal upright Bonsai

Informal upright bonsai trees known as Moyogi are common in parts of nature and in
the art of bonsai. The trees are normally shaped in the form of letter 'S' and that every
corner there is occurrence of branching. Once again tapering of the Trunk must be
visible clearly and the base of the tree must be thicker than the higher portion of the
tree.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 05
 Slanting (or windswept)

Slanting Bonsai style or 'Shakan' is a bonsai tree which is a result of winds blowing in
one dominant direction during the growth process of a tree. This style can also happen
when a tree bends towards the light emitted by the sun. In bonsai the leaning style
should grow at an angle of 60 to 80 degrees relative to the ground in order to be
classified as a slanting bonsai Style. Another characteristic of the style of tree is that the
roots are well developed on one side to keep the tree standing. The side which the tree
is leaning towards must not have roots which are clearly visible and they must also not
be developed as the opposite side. The first branch is usually growing in the opposite
direction of the tree in order to create an image of Visual balance. The trunk of the tree
however can be slightly bendy or completely straight but it must always be thicker at
the bottom than at the top.

Semi-cascade

Semi cascade Bonsai style known as 'Han-kengai' is found in nature on Cliff sides and
banks of rivers and Lakes. The characteristic of the style is that the Trunk grows up right
for a small distance before bending down or sidewards. The semi cascade trunk will
never usually grow below the bottom of the growing pot. The crown of the tree is
always above the pot while the subsequent branching normally occurs just below The
rim.

06 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

Cascade

Cascade Bonsai style known as 'Kengai' is normally found in nature on the cliff side as a
result of many factors such as falling rocks and snow. These factors cause the tree to
bend downwards. In Bonsai, this is a difficult style is difficult to maintain as the nature
of the tree is to grow upwards towards the sun. Cascade Bonsai trees are grown in tall
pots and allowed to grow upright for a small stretch before bending downwards. The
crown of the tree is usually above the rim of the pot but the branches alternate left and
right on the outer curves of the S-Shaped trunk. Brunching should be encouraged to
grow horizontally in order to make the tree look more balanced.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 07
 HOW TO GROW BONSAI FROM SEEDS
Growing a Bonsai tree from seed is a slow but rewarding process. Although you may
need to wait few weeks to months for the seeds to germinate, growing a Bonsai tree
from seed could be the most rewarding process you have ever experienced in your life.
Some seeds have a really hard coating; therefore, it may require several Seasons for
those coats to break down and the seeds to be able to germinate. If you are willing to
invest your time and effort you will be rewarded with the most beautiful bonsai tree.
Growing a Bonsai tree from seed may take many years too perfect but it will be a tree
that you could be proud of and be able to pass down generation to generation.

The Type of Seed

It is totally your choice what type of bonsai tree you want to grow. However, it must be
noted there are a few basic guidelines you must follow and know about when choosing
a bonsai tree.

Firstly, the most important thing to do is to purchase your bonsai tree seeds from A
reputable nursery or a tree dealer. Nowadays with the advent of online e-commerce
shop you can easily find a reputable seeds shop. There are many trees that are used for
beautiful bonsai trees but the most commonly cultivate trees are Fir, Maple, Pine, Birch
and Cedar. Most of these three species are relatively easy to grow and cultivate.
Maple, black pine, scots pine, beech and larch are some of the easiest trees to grow
from seed and make great beginner bonsai trees. However, if you are a novice you must
stay away from species such as white Pine, needle juniper, hornbeam as these are very
difficult to germinate.

When purchasing bonsai seeds make sure you purchase from certified dealers who sell
certified disease-free seeds. Certified disease-free seeds have been specially created
and treated to resist common diseases. This is very important for growing a bonsai tree.
A diseased tree may grow very weak and die within its first year.

Also, when buying make sure you do not fall victim to so-called bonsai seeds. There is
no such thing as a bonsai seed. Seeds which are normally labelled bonsai seeds have a
higher price but are equally good as ordinary tree seeds.
-
Preparation
Not all trees seeds sprout straight away when put into the soil. Several species of tree
seeds must be carefully prepared and stored before they are ready to germinate. You
must always do research before purchasing your seeds to familiarise yourself with the
particular species and it's needs.

08 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

A good example of this would be tree seeds such as maple trees. These seeds must
undergo a process called stratification before they are ready to sprout. The process of
stratification simply try to mimic the natural weather seasons. We see that in nature
seeds from trees fall from the mother plant during autumn months and spend many
months on the ground during winter. Then the seeds then usually lay on the ground
during the warmer weather in Springs which then triggers them to germinate. To
sprout bonsai seed such as maple which requires cold stratification, the seeds must be
placed in a plastic bag filled with potting soil and kept moist in a refrigerator for few
weeks ranging from 6 to 8. After keeping the seeds in the fridge for few weeks, take
them out and plant them in a pot.

Some other trees which have hard shells must undergo a process called scarification.
These seeds usually germinate only under certain conditions such as travelling
through the digestive system of an animal or being subject to extreme weather
conditions such as a fire before being able to germinate. At home you are able to do the
scarification process by gently filing the coat off the seeds until you reveal the inner
coating. This allows the seeds to break through the opening easily and germinate.

Soil
Most tree species like to grow in well draining organic commercial potting soil. You
should never use soil from your garden for growing bonsai tree as they are heavy for a
pot and unsterilized. This means that your plant or seed will die. Once you have filled
the pot with soil, water it well and allow it to drain for 30 minutes.

Planting
The depth at which you must plant your bonsai seeds will depend on the species of the
tree you have selected. Generally the rule is that seeds must be planted at a depth
equal to the diameter of the seeds themselves. Light and very small seeds must be
covered very lightly with a thin layer of soil.

Pre-Germination Care
You must keep your bonsai seeds moist with regular watering until it germinates but
make sure you do not over water your pot. You must touch the surface of the soil to
check if the water levels are sufficient. If the soul seems dry spray some water using the
spray bottle. You should also make sure the soil does not dry out by keeping it away
from direct sunlight. Ideal spot would be on the windowsill for maintaining sufficient
moisture and light levels for your seeds to germinate.

Post-Germination Care
The amount of time the seeds may take to germinate will depend and vary from
species to species. Many seeds germinate in little as few weeks but some seeds may

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 09
take several Seasons. You must research the amount of time and care a bonsai seed
takes to germinate from seeds before you select it and turn into a bonsai tree. Once
your bonsai seedling successfully breaks from its seed and develops two true leaves –
the leaves that sprout after the first two immature leaves -cut back watering to
whenever the top third of the soil in the container dries out.
Once your tree has outgrown its seedling tray, select a larger pot to grow your plant in.
Using a pencil dig a hole into the soil and place the seedlings roots into it carefully. You
should never pull the bonsai seedlings by it's stem as it can easily break.

Once the bonsai seedlings are planted into a larger pot you should care for it just as you
would a mature bonsai tree. You should move the plant pot to a location where it gets
enough sunlight and water it regularly.

10 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

 WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Generally, there are five things that you must look for in a plant.

Firstly you must check the roots to check if the appearance shows a strong Foundation.
The roots at the base of the tree should visually spread out in a radial fashion. This
makes your tree looks stable band provide the sense of strength. A good root normally
draws the attention of your eyes to examine them from the Ground Up.

In many cases a base which tapers gradually and thins out towards the apex generally
makes for a great bonsai. If you are thinking of growing a formal upright style bonsai
you will want a straight trunk with little curvature. If you are thinking of growing the
different style of bonsai however you should examine the style of trunk you have. Try
and find a trunk that Curves in unusual or unique fashion, as this will give character to
your bonsai tree.

You must study the plant and ask yourself does the plant look like a tree? You should
look for branching patterns in a tree. Ideally you should look for thick low branches and
higher ones. Branches will later transform into the main structure of your bonsai tree.
You should always imagine how it will fit and balance the moment of the trunk.

At this moment, a style should be shouting out at you from the tree. During all of this
you must always make sure you choose the best decision for the plant and make sure it
is healthy. You should pull the plant out of its pot and check if there are white fibrous
roots around the perimeter of the soil. This will indicate the plant is healthy. You should
also check if the leaves are colourful and vibrant and if any new growths are looking to
appear.

Branches of the trees should look balance then appear to be floating in space. They
should however not be appearing lopsided or top heavy. Branches should not the
opposite one another with their lines cutting horizontally across the trunk. Branches
normally give bonsai the dimensions and its basic tree form.

A great bonsai tree should have harmonious arrangement of branches without

unsightly gaps. You can easily spot flowers by looking down at a bonsai tree. Upper
branches should not overshadow lower branches.

Not all plants are effective as a bonsai. Who produced a realistic looking mature tree all
parts of the tree should be perfect in scale with the size of the tree. Plant used for
bonsai trees should have smaller leaves or the leaves should become smaller and the
bonsai culture. Large leaved trees will look out of proportion for bonsai trees. Let's now
learn how to plant it.
INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 11
 PLANTING YOUR BONSAI TREE
Since bonsai trees are grown in pots you'll want to select an appropriate pot to grow
your bonsai tree in. Bonsai trees should always be positioned off centre in its container.
Not only is asymmetry crucial to the visual effects of the plant but the centre-point
symbolically represents where heaven meets the Earth, therefore, nothing should
occupy this place.

Traditionally there are three basic virtues in bonsai growing and these are: truth,
goodness and beauty. These three forms the triangle that represent bonsai. Since the
root must be pruned on plants before being turned into a Bonsai tree, the initial
containers which the plants are grown are different from the traditional containers
which are later used in the plant development. The Beginning containers are called
training pots.

Anything that is capable of holding heavy Roots is sufficient but it is a good idea to
choose something similar to the sort of pot the plant will be placed in once the roots
are small and fibrous.

For cascading style bonsai trees, the plants should be planted in deep pots, while tall
plants should be grown in fairly shallow containers. You should make sure the draining
holes in the pots are at least half an inch in diameter.

Cascading plants should be trained in deep pots, while tall specimens that will end up
in shallow pots need to begin in fairly shallow containers. Make sure that the drain
holes in all training pots are at least one-half inch in diameter.

You should plant the tree in the centre of Pot when it's branches sweeping over the
sides of the pot. Upright trees should be placed off the centre in rectangular or oval
pots. The pot should not be overly large and must compliment the tree. Usually the
depth of the pot should be equal to the thickness of the trunk of the plant but this does
not always have to be followed

Remember that no pot is permanent. Your tree will require reporting over the course
of his life to keep it from becoming root bound. We will address this in the re-potting
section of the side. Now that you have a plant and selected the container, let's look at
how to prune and shape your bonsai tree

12 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

 PRUNING AND TRIMMING
If you are starting with a garden centre plant then a great deal of pruning will be
necessary. You should make sure that you only remove the excess foliage and undesira-
ble limbs of the plant. You should make sure that you make all the cuts above the body,
side of a branch, all the main fork of the tree. You should make sure you remove all of
the buds except those outsides of the trunk in order to stimulate growth outwards and
upwards. You should make sure that you leave the stubs flush with the stem. Avoid
cutting the tree so much that the main branches become weakened. Do not treat the
bonsai tree like a hedge; the objective should be to make the plant look like a mature
tree you would find in nature. Just like nature make them branches grow towards the
open space and away from each other. If you prune too much the plant will not be able
to photosynthesise.

Heavy pruning is normally done only once in a life of a bonsai tree. Once you have
established the basic form, shaping is done by nipping or pinching back. By doing this
you will be able to control new growth. Nipping process allows for the bonsai tree to
develop luxurious foliage. You should nip off tiny Spurs at the bottom of the tree trunk
before they are large enough to leave a scar on the tree.

Roots of a Bonsai tree are also trimmed. You should try and keep all the fibrous roots
and maintain a balance of one root for one branch if possible. During this process
remove any roots which are damaged during the digging and make sure you leave the
surface roots intact. You should ensure that you prune with a sharp tool and cut in a
sloping angle to avoid damaging them.

Pruning is a crucial step that must be done in order to maintain the shape of a Bonsai
tree and encourage new growth. Some plants will respond very well to pruning and
some may respond negatively to it as they find it hard to recover, especially if pruned at
the wrong time of the year. It is advisable you research about your tree species and
choose the best time to prune the old and new growth. Usually new growth is pruned
during the growing season such as spring in order to maintain the shape of the bonsai
while the Old hardwood is pruned during the middle of autumn.

One of the main forms of pruning for bonsai especially evergreen bonsai such as
juniper and Cedar is called 'finger pruning'/ finger pruning is when you pinch back the
new growth which does not come in general shape of the bonsai tree or it is at the top
of the bonsai. This will help it to encourage becoming creating foliage and looking
more like a natural tree. Finger pruning is done by taking a growth between your
thumb and forefinger while holding the branch with your other hand and removing
with a twist movement. Finger pruning is much better than trimming the growth with
scissors as it leaves and unnatural look on the foliage.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 13
As for more complicated trees such as maple and Chinese Elm scissors are the best tool
for pruning. When you are trimming outward or over-enthusiastic growths on a tree
make sure you trim back just after the next series of leaves, but don't cut the foliage as
such. Leaf pruning is usually done on this deciduous and tropical plants such as maple
to reduce the leaf size and remove unsightly leaves and speed up the growth by
causing two Seasons growth in one.

The week's following pruning make sure you keep the plant in a hospital position and
climate and supply it with sufficient water.

In the next few weeks make sure that you keep the plant in a hospitable position and
climate and supply it adequate water. Remember the goal is to make the tree look like
how it will be in nature in order to keep up with the principles of bonsai.

Trimming and pruning are a crucial step in bonsai to keep it a miniature. This is why you
systematically remove vigorous growth in spring. You must also note however the
health of the tree. Whenever you do anything in bonsai you must always think about
your actions and how it will affect the health of the plant first. You should never remove
all of the growth at any one time. You must also note that you must not prune your
bonsai everyday as many people think. Pruning your tree two or three times a year is
enough and you should do it at the start of spring, end of ¬summer, or sometimes late
autumn or winter.

Now that you know how to prune your bonsai and when to do it, let's Learn how to wire
a bonsai tree.

14 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

 WIRING YOUR TREE
Wiring is a crucial in growing bonsai trees. Wiring by wrapping wires around the
branches of a tree in order to bend them into a desirable position. The branches then
grow into their new shapes over the course of a few months before the wire is removed.

When to wire?
You are able to wire your tree most parts of the year for a lot of tree species. Most of the
deciduous species of bonsai trees are wired usually in late winter as the absence of
leaves make the wiring an easy task. You should make sure that during the growth
season you do not let the growth of branches scar your tree. Make sure you check on
your wiring regularly and rewire them if needs be.

Material needed?
It is important that you use the right sort of material for wiring your bonsai tree. The
two types of wires which can be used for bonsai tree are anodised aluminium and
annealed copper. Aluminium wires are usually used for deciduous species while the
harder copper is used for conifers in pines. We advise beginners to use anodised
aluminium wire as it is easy to work with and sold in most online shops.
It may be confusing to beginners as bonsai wires are sold in a range of different sizes
and thicknesses varying from 1 to 8mm. Don't worry as you do not need to purchase all
of these types of wires. For beginners, you can buy any of the wires ranging from 1 mm
to 4 mm in thickness. We recommend that you wrap the branches first with a raffia
soaked in water (available in garden centres or online), as it will protect the branches
from being damaged by The Wire when bending them.

How to wire a Bonsai tree?

Wiring is a tricky technique to master for a beginner. You should try to wire two
branches which are located near each other with one piece of wire called double wiring
wherever possible. You are then able to buy the remaining branches separately and this
is called single wiring. It is important to note that you must wire are all the branches
you intend to shape before actually bending them into their positions. When you're
wiring a tree make sure you wire the entire tree from the Trunk to the primary branches
before starting on the secondary branches. A good rule of thumb is The Wire third of
the thickness of your branch your wiring and the wire should be thick enough to hold
a branch in its shape.

Let's take a look at how to double wire a bonsai tree:

Select a pair of branches you will wire. This will have to be the same thickness and
located near each other. You should try and wrap the wire around the Trunk at least
once or twice so that they do not move when bending the branches later on. Now you
can cut off the right length of the wire and wrap both of the branches together.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 15
You should start wrapping up the Trunk and proceed with the first branch. Try and wire
from the base of the branch to the very tip before you start wiring the second branch.
Make sure you wire a round at an angle of 45 degrees as this will allow the tree to grow
thicker while remaining it's shape. When you intend to bend the branch downwards
directly at the Trunk that your wire comes from below and the wire should come from
above when bending and upwards branch.

Once you have wired all of the double branches together you can continue to wire the
remaining branches using the single wiring technique.

Single wiring
This is very similar to double wiring technique, cut off the desired length of wire and
started wrapping it at least twice around the Trunk apply multiple wires at the same
part of the Trunk or branch try put them neatly in line.

Bending the wired branches

Once you have wired the entire tree you can start bending them into your desired
positions. Using your hand gently hold the outside of the branch with your fingers and
bend the branch from inside of the curve with your thumb. By doing this you would
reduce the risk of splitting branches by spreading the force around and outside of the
branches. Do not bend the tree multiple times as it may damage the branch.

Aftercare
Place your wire tree in the shade and fertilize as normal. You should make sure that you
watch the tree closely during the growing seasons and remove wires which may cause
scars. Do not try to recycle of Wires by unwinding them from the tree as it may damage
the bonsai, therefore just cut the wire at every turn making it easier to remove.

16 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

 WATERINNG AND FERTILISING
All the watering can seem like an easy technique it is the second most common cause
of bonsai related problem.

Under watering or allowing the compost to dry out completely will instantly kill or
damage your bonsai tree severely, however, over watering can just as equally cause ill
health to your tree by rotting the roots and causing diseases.

As a bonsai grow are you must remember to check the water requirements off your
bonsai tree regularly and only water as and when required. You should also never water
to a routine. You must make sure the surface of the compost starts to dry out in
between watering. Only then should you water the plant thoroughly. Many factors
affect how often you water your plant, watering can vary from 12 hours to 7 Days
depending on prevailing temperature wind and humidity levels. Due to the confined
space in which the bonsai grows it can be quite difficult to care for a bonsai tree. The
shallow containers limit the expanse of the root system and make it an art form to
water the plant in itself.

Although some species of trees handle dryness relatively well others require constant
moisture. Watering regularly or allowing the soil to stay soggy can promote fungal
infection and root rot. Sun and heat and wind can also quickly dry out the soil and the
bonsai tree may suffer in drought so therefore the soil moisture must be monitored
daily and water must be given when needed. It is important to note that the soil should
not be allowed to turn bone-dry even for a brief.

Some trees are very good at hiding their weakness trees such as juniper do not display
any sign of drying and weakness until the damage is well and done. The leaves may
appear green and look healthy despite having an entirely dead root system.

When your fertilising in your bonsai tree you should do so with a water soluble fertilizer
once or twice per month during the growing season. The choice of fertilizer may vary
species to species. You should apply the fertiliser when the soil is wet and only before
and during the active growth. Even houseplant fertilizer diluted 1/4 to 1/2 strength will
be sufficient.

Now that you know the basics of growing a bonsai tree, we will now look at another
important topic of bonsai growing which is repotting.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 17
 REPOTTING YOUR BONSAI
You must regularly repot your bonsai tree in order to prevent the tree from being pot
bound and ultimately starving itself to death. It is important to note that repotting a
Bonsai tree will not keep it small instead it will supply the tree with new nutrients that
it needs to grow and flourish as a bonsai tree.

How often should I repot?

This is totally dependent on the size of container port and the tree species that you are
growing. Species of trees which are fast growing are often re-potted every two years
sometimes even every year. Older and more mature trees must be re-potted every 3 to
5 years. You must not report your tree on a routine, but you must check your trees every
year during early spring by carefully removing the tree from its pot. You would know
that the bonsai tree needs to be repotted when you see the roots circling around the
outer parts of the pot. If the roots are contained within the soil you should wait another
year before checking again.

When?
Reporting should be done during early spring when the tree is still in dormancy. By
doing it during this time of year you would be reducing the damage caused on the tree
and keep it to a minimum this is because the tree does not have to sustain full-grown
foliage during this period. Springtime is a season for growth therefore it means any
damage done to the root will be soon repaired.

Bonsai soil mixture

You must carefully select the right soil mixture for the best results for your trees. The
soil mixture should be well draining in order to prevent the roots from rotting while
absorbing enough water to supply the tree with water. Although some species of trees
require special soil mixtures, the mixtures listed below are suitable for most trees:
Mix Akadama, pumice and lava rock together in a ratio of 2:1:1.
If you do not have enough time to water trees regularly you should choose a more
water absorbing mixture (use more Akadama), while you should choose a more
draining mixture (more lava rocks) if you live in a wetter climate.

18 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

 SEASONAL CARE AND MANINTENANCE
As the seasons change, the bonsai grower must take into consideration the
circumstances and dilemmas that might affect their plants. Because the trees aren’t in
the ground, you need to do what you have to in order to insure your bonsai survive the
seasons.

In the summer, bonsai need cool nights, sunny days, and mist or rain almost daily. If
your climate does not offer these conditions naturally, you must supply them. Avoid
any extremes in temperature, light, rain, and wind. Water the entire plant daily, but do
not let them become water logged.

In the Autumn, bonsai must be prepared for the winter. Slow the growth of the plants
by watering less frequently and discontinuing fertilizer application. Do not prune or cut
any branches after mid-August.

Winter's low temperatures and drying winds can easily kill bonsai. If the winter temper-
ature drops below 28F, bonsai must be protected by a greenhouse, pit, or cold frame. A
cold frame is basically a box that houses your bonsai through the winter months.
If you put them in a cold frame, don't forget to water them while inside. Winter
watering may be only necessary every other day. More bonsai are killed by over
watering than by desiccation.

In the spring, start new bonsai, prune the old ones, and continue training measures.
The remaining part of the growing season is used for the plants' adjustments to these
practices.

In general, bonsai are fine being outside in temperatures above 15F. Below this point,
some kind of protection from freezing is needed. You can bring them inside, but this
could jeopardize the plant’s health. In extreme circumstances, this may be your only
option.

Just remember that woody plants must go through a period of cold dormancy to
survive. If you do not give them this time, they will die.

Dormancy is a survival strategy that temperate climate species have evolved to stay
alive over the winter. These species have a biological clock that tells them to slow
activity and prepare soft tissues for an onslaught of freezing temperatures. Species that
have well developed dormancy needs cannot be tricked out of them.

You can try placing a tarp or plastic film over your bonsai in cold temperatures.
Do this at night and remove it during the day.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 19
It is important to note, that the trees will not be able to withstand the warmer tempera-
ture once they have begun to grow. Just as trees became gradually ever more frost
resistant in fall, they will get progressively less frost resistant in spring.

The closed buds, although swollen, will still be able to survive short periods of mild
frosts, but once the buds have opened and the young leaves start to unfold, frost can
cause serious damage, and trees should be returned to frost-free shelter when it
threatens.

Also remember that full-size trees lose their leaves in the winter. Your bonsai is a
miniature version of a full-size tree and it, too, will lose its leaves. This is fine and normal.
They will grow back!

20 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

 REST OF THE STORY
Bonsai is not an art of perfection. It is an art of scope and personal preference. You will
make mistakes. This is normal and occurs even with bonsai masters.

You will kill trees. This is a sad fact of the activity, especially as you start out. You are
dealing with living things, and you must be respectful of that. Commit yourself to
understanding why every tree dies and what can be done to prevent it. Learn from your
mistakes and do your best to prevent them in the future.

Perhaps most importantly, understand that when you put a tree in a pot you are
committing yourself to the care of that tree. You cannot simply ignore it or it will die.
Bonsai is a responsibility as well as a hobby. If you practice it with care and patience, the
rewards are tremendous.

Almost nothing in bonsai is immediate. Expect your trees to develop over years, even
decades. It may be ten years or longer before your plant will actually be a "bonsai."
Don't be discouraged by this, but think of it as part of the experience.

Don't fiddle! The temptation for beginners is to continually fiddle with their tree(s),
cutting bits off here and there, continually watering, misting, moving them around etc.
Checking daily for water requirements and health problems is necessary, but otherwise
leave the tree to grow and simply enjoy looking at it!

Pruning back to shape is necessary but don't continually jump onto every out of place
leaf. In order to keep the tree healthy and vigorous it needs to be able to grow freely at
times.

It is also important to remember timing is very important, don't carry out jobs such as
repotting or major restyling at the wrong time of the year as this can lead to poor
health in the tree and lack of vigor. A tree repotted at the wrong time of year for
instance may survive if you are lucky, it may even grow a bit, but, it will very rarely
reward you with vigor.

It is particularly important not to stress the tree by doing several operations at the
same time. Let the tree rest between for example wiring and replanting. Just as a
human being needs time to recuperate from surgery, a bonsai tree needs the same
treatment.

Plants are living things, and they need full recovery from one operation, before the next
step is taken. A rule of thumb is to wait one too three months after a transplanting
before you start working on the tree or until you see clear signs of vigorous growth.

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 21
Although bonsai is a very delicate and precise hobby in many aspects, usually the
plants are very forgiving - so don't be afraid to prune. Also be careful not to leave the
wire on too long so that it cuts into the bark.

Put away any preconceived ideas that bonsai is too hard to learn, too costly or too
time-consuming. It's none of these. In fact, it's fun, relaxing and beautiful. Remember
that bonsai is an art form - one that uses living plants as its raw material.
Overall, bonsai trees are quite personalized and there are no strict rules to abide by if
you undertake it merely as a hobby which to gain enjoyment out of. It does not have to
be an expensive commitment, but it is a commitment that requires a great amount of
time, patience, skill and endurance.

Although things may not always go to plan, don't give up. Remember that the
Japanese bonsai masters were once beginners too and they have surely had their share
of trial and error.

CONCLUSION
Though the art of bonsai can be very daunting to newcomers when they first start out,
in reality it is as simple as you make it. There are many species and varieties of trees
available to grow; many new techniques that can be learned to improve bonsai
appearance and a seemingly unfathomable quantity of do's and don'ts. The most
important aspect as a beginner is to learn how to simply maintain the shape of your
tree and keep it alive.
Learn to look after your first tree successfully and your confidence grows enough to
widen your horizons and successfully learn more advanced techniques such as
reselling and creating bonsai. But don't run before you walk. The first fundamental
rules to learn when embarking on this art is that you are dealing with something living
and ever-changing; the basic rules of horticulture need be learned before you can
successfully maintain your tree.

There are many bonsai techniques available for the bonsai enthusiast to use to reach
the ultimate goal of a beautiful tree. Confusingly, information available on the many
bonsai websites and books can often be contradictory. It should be understood that for
every objective such as repotting, pruning or styling there are a 100 different
techniques or viewpoints.

Some are based on horticultural fact, some are based on horticultural myth and some
are based on horticultural luck! In fact many of these techniques will work to one
degree or another. Unfortunately, though not killing your tree, some advice and/or
techniques can result in diminished vigor as your trees cope under stress. Sound advice
based on simple horticultural fact can only improve the health, appearance and vigor

22 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit

of your tree. It is for you to learn which techniques work for you and your tree in your
given situation.

Just don’t get in a hurry. They say that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Bonsai aren’t grown
in a short time either. Bonsai certainly takes time, but the rewards are great.
Once it grows and is shaped to your liking, you will have formed something that is all
your own. It will be something to be proud of – something to display – something to
take credit for.

In the movie “The Karate Kid”, Mr. Miyagi would tell Daniel that he should have patience
while learning the fine points of karate. Miyagi demonstrated this concept best with his
bonsai. He spent 5 years cultivating one tree – perhaps the ultimate display of patience.
As a beginning bonsai artist, this should be your cardinal rule. Be patient and let nature
work the magic.

Some people feel they are just not capable of growing a world-class bonsai. That’s
alright, you don’t have to! But if you grow a bonsai tree that is beautiful to you, you can
ultimately be rewarded if someone else sees the same beauty you do!
Don’t get frustrated; don’t feel you have to be held to steadfast rules. Just grow your
tree, spend time crafting your masterpiece, and enjoy the results – along with everyone
else!

INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE 23
Easy Bonsai Starter Kit