Bonsai is an amazing ornamental plant, and it has been a reflection of Japanese gardening tradition over centuries. Bonsai trees are not genetically altered miniatures, but are of the same variety as the normal trees that can grow up to 20 feet in the open. Life of the regular bonsai begins at the regular size, but the meticulous pruning by the experts gives it the aesthetically appealing look.

Basics of Bonsai Plant Maintenance

The bonsai plant can be indoors or outdoors, however if the tree is not native to the place, it is best to keep it indoors. For indoors bonsai plant maintenance, you have to make sure that the temperature, lighting and humidity are maintained at the desired level.

Water and soil are important aspects of bonsai plant maintenance, and if the soil dries, the plant dies. So, it is important to watch the soil carefully, and water before it gets too dry. It is however not required to water them everyday. Bonsai will grow better if it is kept in sunlight for sometime during the day.

Pruning is another aspect of bonsai plant maintenance, and is what it takes to keep a plant bonsai. To keep the plant in the miniature size, it is mandatory to trim it regularly, else, the leaves become too large. Leaves and roots of the bonsai plant grow very quickly, and timely pruning is the key to keep it in desired shape.

Bonsai plants maintenance is different as compared to other plants, and if not treated well, they will not turn out the way they are supposed to be. The best time to prune or trim your plant is while the tree is growing, as new branches and leaves will stop the tree from attaining or retaining the desired shape.

There are mainly two methods of bonsai pruning; leaf pruning for deciduous bonsai and finger pruning for coniferous bonsai. In finger pruning, the new growth not supporting the desired shape is pinched. By holding the host branch with one hand and pinching the new growth between forefinger and thumb of the other hand. Leaf pruning is mainly done in summer, and is done by cutting the 60-85% of the bonsai plant leaves using fine scissors.

Repotting is also important for bonsai plant maintenance, and must be done every 2-3 years so that the roots stay healthy, and are able to provide the essential nutrients to the tree.

There are many bonsai tools that can help you in pruning and trimming the plant. Even when the bonsai tree is fully-grown, it will still need the regular maintenance, else it will lose its beauty.