Although they are synonymous with Japanese culture, bonsai trees actually originated in China, over 1000 years ago. There is an old Chinese story of a prince who used the trees to make a miniature version of his kingdom. He would be extremely angry if one of the trees would die, so his servants quickly learned the art of bonsai tree care. The Ancient Secrets Of Bonsai Tree Care

Although they are synonymous with Japanese culture, bonsai trees actually originated in China, over 1000 years ago. There is an old Chinese story of a prince who used the trees to make a miniature version of his kingdom. He would be extremely angry if one of the trees would die, so his servants quickly learned the art of bonsai tree care.

Since then, the Japanese have played a vital role in caring for and learning about bonsai trees. They have improves upon care techniques, so it is now possible to keep bonsai trees alive indefinitely, with a little care.

Choosing Your Tree

Bonsai trees are extremely delicate and a lot of care is needed to look after them. Before buying a tree, you should really take this into consideration, in order to avoid disappointment.

There are many different styles of bonsai tree, from full upright to cascading and everything in between. Each style of tree requires a different level of care and expertise but, it is widely considered that a full upright tree is best for beginners. If you are unsure, this is the tree for you.

Pruning Your Bonsai Tree

One of the most important things you will need to do for your new tree is to prune it. When pruning, it is very important that you do not ruin the shape and flow of the tree. You should study the tree carefully before deciding which branches to remove and which to keep. It is also important that you only take 1/3 or less, of the branches away.

Watering Your Bonsai Tree

The soil in your bonsai tree pot should be moist but not too wet or dry. You should check the soil every week or two to ensure the soil is kept in good condition. If the soil gets too wet, it could start to grow fungus and if it is too dry, your plant will suffer the effects of thirst.

Re-potting

Re-potting your bonsai is not an easy task. It would be prudent to have someone with experience to teach you, or if that is not possible, you should seek information from books or internet resources. You must re-pot the plan every 1-5 years, taking care not to damage the roots as you do so. The roots may or may not need to be trimmed.