The Bonsai Tree
The bonsai tree is not ‘just another house plant’ and fans of Bonsai gardening need to have great patience and perseverance because it can take quite a few years for a bonsai to fully grow and flourish. One thing is for sure though; it takes a lot of work and dedication to keep a bonsai alive and looking great.
When you decide to buy your first bonsai it is best to go to a specialist nursery and see what is available. There are several bonsai centres in the UK but one in London is more reasonably priced than many others and although we have the added advantage of easy access, it really is wise to go to a specialist bonsai centre.
Specialists centre will deal with more mature plants which will allow you to buy your tree when it is ready rather than when it is fully grown. If you do not fancy this nearby, more inland garden centres will deal with almost any tree so just make sure you find one that is local to you.
Although the majority of pruning will be done when the tree is dormant, it is always better to try and avoid pruning in the dormant season, as it can be prone to disease. It is very important to clear fallen or dead growth properly away from the tree as such areas can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Once again, it is best to deal with the local garden centre in this instance.
The Tools of Options
Bonsai tree growing includes a number of specialized tools and these are vital to the success of your tree. You will need a pot to grow your tree in and the style of this pot is vital. Whilst several pots are available, the traditional bonsai pot is the envy of all. This is generally in the form of a deep terracotta pot which has a concave edge. This is great for keeping the ‘fruit’ out of the direct sunlight. However, this pot is rather expensive and you will find that it will last you for years before you decide to replace it.
You will, of course, need a good strong pair of scissors and a number of smaller tools as well. Place a square of newspaper inside the pot (this will be removed later) and then place the pot into this square. This will allow the tree to breathe better as the newspaper and dirt will expand and form a ‘dam’ which will hold the soil in place. This will also help to prevent the trunk from rotting.
Selecting a concave cutter is then essential. This will allow you to remove the bonsai plant trunk from the pot and positioned it in a new, smaller pot. After several months, you will then need to cut off the top of the tree and trim it down to size. There are several different styles of shaping which you can try. The more you work with this, the more natural it will become and the more in tune it will seem.
Finally, you need to prune to shape. This is done by shaping the tree from the top down. Shaping will allow you to avoid immobilising the trunk and avoiding the brittle crown. This will allow the trunk to heal properly. You must remove the branches as they occur, and not leave them to rot or break. This will allow the tree to heal and will prevent ‘flower sickness’ from attacking your plant. You can make this easier still further by using a concave saw which will enable you to get right up close to the branches and get them as close to the trunk as possible without breaking off the branch. To get the branches as close to the trunk as possible you will need to turn the branch 90 degrees and be sure to leave a trailing behind that will allow the tree to heal.
Getting the branches as close to the trunk as possible is often a matter of grabbing the branch and then pulling it past the point of grabbing it. This can be hard to do, especially when you have a branch that is larger than the trunk and especially if the trunk is huge. Using a pair ofyton rakes will help you get to this point. Theyton rake is a ceramic garden tool that has a shorter handle and a perpendicular sharp blade. This tool is used to rake away the dirt from the entrance to a pot. You will find that the small branches tend to break off first when you grab them with the garden rake.
These are just some of the many considerations that you need to make when you are working with your home and garden to create a beautiful scene.
