Can Juniper Bonsai Be Kept Indoors?

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Juniper Bonsai

Keeping a Juniper Bonsai Indoors

The Juniper Bonsai, also called Juniperus Chinensis, is one of the most popular Bonsai out there, making it a great choice for beginners. The Juniper tree is coniferous, and can range from low-growing shrubs to 15 to 16 foot tall trees. This is one of the only Bonsai that can be grown indoors or outdoors. As long as it has the right humidity and light, it can survive anywhere. 4 hours of light is ideal along with dry soil.

 

Watering

Slightly dry soil is preferred for this kind of Bonsai, however, prolonged dryness could be potentially hurtful, and therefore should be avoided. One method in determining when to water your Juniper can be done with what is called the chopstick method. Simply place a chopstick one or two inches into the soil and wait 10 minutes. After this time, examine the chopstick. If the soil is damp, it means you do not need to water yet because the soil is still wet. When watering the plant, allow proper drainage and let the soil get dry again before watering. To achieve optimal growth, regularly misting its leaves or using a humidity tray is recommended.

 

Sunlight

While it is true that Bonsai can be kept indoors, they are able to adapt to being outdoors if you choose to move them. The Juniper can handle direct sunlight, but the best option is to place your tree where it can get some shade in the afternoons. If your Juniper is indoors, be sure that it is placed in an airy location where it can get the proper light it needs.

 

Humidity

For optimal humidity levels, try placing a humidity tray underneath the Juniper’s pot. Be sure not to put the pot directly in the water, however, as the roots will be submerged and will rot, killing the tree. Without proper humidity, Juniper bonsai will die.

 

Fertilizing

Fertilizing your Juniper once every three weeks is ideal. Additionally, in the spring, use a fertilizer containing high levels of nitrogen. In the summer, using a balanced fertilizer is the best option. Use a fertilizer with low nitrogen levels in the fall. Because the Juniper is dormant in the winter, it does not need any fertilizer, but keep in mind it does still need to be watered. Also, after you’ve repotted the tree (every two years for Bonsai under 10 years of age, every three or four years for those older than 10 years), wait three or four weeks to fertilize it.

 

Benefits of Juniper Bonsai

As mentioned previously, Juniper Bonsai can be grown indoors or outdoors. As long as it gets watered properly, it’ll pretty much survive anywhere. The tree’s preference is the outdoors. And while some people put them in containers, which is fine, the container can restrict the tree’s growth. They are easier to take care of outdoors and can be placed in normal garden soil. One thing to note is that neglecting the Bonsai can be beneficial. While you may be skeptical of this, Junipers can die if they are over-watered or over-fed.

If you live in a cold climate during the winter, you should bring your tree inside so it doesn’t die.  Even during the winter, the Bonsai needs sunlight. In these winter months they do not need to be watered or fertilized often as it is dormant during this time.

The flexibility of the Bonsai’s branches make it easy to train and shape. Specifically, wiring it’s trunk is very common. Pruning should be done in the spring or summer. Pinch back new shoots once they are an inch in length, continue this process until September.

 

Whether indoors or outdoors, Juniper bonsai make a beautiful addition to any home. This tree’s adaptability makes it very easy to care for, which is perfect for beginners and experts alike. Juniper bonsai will survive just about anywhere with the right amount of water and sunlight, even in the winter. Be sure your tree has the right amount of humidity, perhaps with the help of a humidity tray, without the roots getting submerged in water. Fertilization needs vary from season to season. There are many benefits to the Juniper, like the easy care requirements and training capabilities. In addition to that, Juniper’s thrive better when neglected rather than when pampered. We hope you enjoy your Juniper Bonsai!

How To Display Bonsai Outdoor

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Bonsai Outdoor Display

Displaying Your Bonsai Outdoors

While displaying your Bonsai outdoors can be a fairly difficult process, the end result of a beautiful display can be very rewarding. Keep in mind you are not only designing a Bonsai garden, you are still having to take care of the individual needs of your Bonsai. Some Bonsai need constant sunlight, others need to be in the shade on particularly hot days. There are many ways to present your Bonsai in a decorative way using gardens.

 

Sun Protection

Bonsai Shading ClothSome Bonsai cannot stand the constant heat of the sun. To insure your Bonsai will not be hurt by the blazing sun, you can put up shading cloth above the plants. This cloth will not stop the light from getting to your Bonsai, it will just buffer the intensity of the light. However, note that not all Bonsai species require this cloth. If your Bonsai needs constant sunlight, this technique won’t benefit your plant, it might hurt it. But if your Bonsai needs to be shaded, this can be a good option.

 

The material of the cloth is classified by how much light is being [filtered], ranging from 40%-80%. 40% cloth should be used if the temperatures are in the upper 80 to low 90 degree Fahrenheit range. 60% is considered the best for most situations as it lowers the temperature underneath by up to 10 degrees. 80% is typically only used in a dessert climate with temperatures around 100 degrees.

 

Vertical Poles in a Garden

Vertical Poles BonsaiPlacing Bonsai on vertical poles in a garden is common in professional Bonsai gardens. This method is placing your Bonsai on a stand on a pole. The process of placing poles is relatively easy, but what can be difficult is choosing the right materials. What tends to work best are wooden or concrete pillars and stone slabs.

 

If your space is limited, one way to assure all your Bonsai are seen is by making the Bonsai in the back higher than the ones in the front. A simple color of the fencing in your yard can also make the trees stand out. You can also emphasis your trees by using simple materials, like concrete pillars instead of wood, and a simple, not heavily painted, background. Also try fixing the trees to the poles they stand on to protect them from heavy wind or storms.

 

Using Benches in a Garden

Bonsai Benches This is a slightly more difficult way to display your Bonsai but can provide a cleaner, neat look. To create a look of depth in your display, you can have the benches be at different heights with smaller trees in the middle, smaller trees on the outside. For a more open look, you can create, or buy, a level, semicircle bench and place your Bonsai around the semicircle. Using benches are a great way to display all of your Bonsai in an organized way.

 

Vertical Garden on a Wall

Bonsai Wall DisplayAnother way to show off your Bonsai trees is by attaching platforms to a wall and placing your Bonsai on the platforms. This is a great way to let your imagination run free as you can decorate like this in pretty much any way you want. Having your Bonsai on a simple, plainly colored wall makes your trees stand out the best.

 

We hope you now have an idea on how you want to present your outdoor Bonsai! Knowing whether your Bonsai needs lots of sun or shade is crucial, as if you use a shade-cloth with the wrong Bonsai it can have negative effects on the tree. The most common, professional way to display your Bonsai is by using the vertical poles method. You could also use benches or wall platforms. Let your imagination run wild and have fun showing your Bonsai to the world!

How Often Do You Water A Bonsai Tree?

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Watering A Bonsai Tree

 

Watering is one of the most important parts of taking care if a Bonsai tree. There are many factors that go into determining when to water your tree, including the time of year, climate, soil, species, and the size of the tree and pot. There is no definitive time in which you should water, however, there are some basic guidelines you can follow.

 

How Often Should You Water The Bonsai?

The first sign you should water your Bonsai is when the soil gets slightly dry. Do not water when the soil is still wet. Use a finger to determine whether the soil is dry 0.4″ deep into the soil. If it is, water the plant. Or, another method of determining when to water is to leave a chopstick in the soil at all times. Once or even twice a day depending on the weather, lift up the chop stick to see if the soil is still wet underneath the soil line. You should check this twice a day during very warm or windy days. Eventually, you should get more experienced with watering and will be able to see when the tree needs watering instead of feeling.

Don’t water your Bonsai on a routine. You should observe the individual needs of your tree before you get into any routine of watering it.

Having the right soil also influences how often you should water your Bonsai. A soil mixture of Akadama, Pumice, and Lava rock at a 1/2 to 1/4 to 1/4 ratio is recommended. However, if you cannot water your Bonsai regularly, using a more water retentive soil will also work. Do this by adding more Akadama or potting compost to the mixture.

 

When Should You Water The Bonsai?

The time of day in which you water your Bonsai really doesn’t matter. Some urge avoiding watering your Bonsai with very cold water in the afternoon as the soil has been warmed by the sun and the soil will cool down considerably. While you should take this into consideration, you must remember that you should water your Bonsai as soon as you see it is dry, no matter the time of day!

During the hot, summer months, you will need to water your Bonsai more than in the winter. Additionally, if your Bonsai is covered in snow during the winter, you may not need to water it at all. If you do need to water it, water very little.

 

How to Water a Bonsai Tree

When watering your Bonsai, be sure that you also wet the roots thoroughly. To do this, water the Bonsai until the water drains from the drainage holes and, if needed, repeat the process again in a few minutes. Also be sure not to drown your Bonsai in water. When water starts to puddle on the soil, stop watering to allow the water to soak in to the soil before continuing. To keep the soil from getting washed away, it is recommended to use a fine nozzled watering can.

 

 

Collecting rain water and watering your Bonsai with it is the best option, as there are no added chemicals. However, if this is not readily available to you, there is no harm in using tap water. It is also recommended to leave the tap water in your watering can overnight, allowing any chlorine that may be in your tap to evaporate.

 

There are many factors involved when watering your Bonsai. While it can be difficult at first just by looking at the plant, there are easy ways in determining when it needs to be watered. Some Bonsai may need to be watered every day, but you should always check first before watering. Having the right soil is also crucial in the watering process. Try not to water when it’s very hot out, but always water as soon as you see the soil is slightly dry. Water with a fine nozzled watering can and water until the roots are soaked. We hope you enjoy watering your Bonsai!

Can You Keep a Bonsai Tree Indoors?

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Keeping a Bonsai Tree Indoors

Although most Bonsai trees should be kept outdoors, there are certain types of Bonsai that can be kept indoors. These Bonsai are either tropical or subtropical. They can only survive indoors if the temperatures where you live are high all throughout the year. Outdoor Bonsai have a dormancy period during the winter, stopping the growth of the plant for a time to prepare for the following spring. Indoor Bonsai do not have this dormancy period. My cousin lives in an area where the temperatures are very high all year round. He wanted a Bonsai, but because of dormancy period in an outdoor Bonsai, it wouldn’t have survived in this climate. Luckily, he found out about indoor Bonsai and he’s had one ever since!

 

What Happens if a Bonsai is in the Wrong Environment

Bonsai trees should be in temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the Bonsai. Tropical Bonsai, specifically, should be in temperatures ranging from 64 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and 57 to 61 degrees during the night. It is crucial to never let the roots get cold. To avoid this, make sure your Bonsai is near a heat source and is under light constantly. If the roots are cold, damage could be caused possibly beyond repair.

 

Which Bonsai Can be Kept Inside

The most common and easiest indoor Bonsai to take care of is the Ficus Bonsai. These tropical Bonsai have dark green, oval leaves on an s-curved trunk.

Carmona Bonsai are also a popular choice, with small, shiny, dark-green leaves and the potential to grow small white flowers.

The Crassula Bonsai is another option. This has green, thick, oval shaped green leaves, thin branches, and a thick trunk. Flowers may also grow on this Bonsai of droughts occur.

The Sageretia, or the sweet plum, Bonsai is a tree with small, light green oval leaves and can also have flowers in the late summer.

And finally, the last common indoor Bonsai is the Schefflera Arboricola Bonsai, a dwarf umbrella tree with compound leaves.

 

Best Placement For Indoor Bonsai Trees

The best place for indoor Bonsai to be places is at a South facing window, or sometimes, depending on the Bonsai, a West facing window, where lots of light can enter the home and onto the Bonsai. It is highly recommended to place the Bonsai directly in front of the window, rather than a few feet away, as it will receive the most amount of light closest to the window. Away from the window, your light intensity drops, and the growth of the Bonsai will slow considerably and will inevitably kill the tree.

 

Our Favorite Ficus Indoor Bonsai Tree

Our favorite Ficus Bonsai tree is Brussel’s Live Golden Gate Ficus Indoor Bonsai Tree. These Ficus’ are 7 years old and 8″ to 10″ tall. Click here to check it out! Another way to get a Ficus tree is to buy them as seeds. To get a collection of seeds including Ficus bonsai, click here. To learn more about Ficus Bonsai, you can check out our article here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Favorite Fukien Tea Indoor Bonsai Tree

Brussel’s Bonsai Live Fukien Tea Indoor Bonsai Tree is the Carmona, also called the Fukien Tea Bonsai. We highly reccomend this bonsai tree species if you are looking for a great beginner indoor bonsai. This tree is 6 years old and will be 6″ to 10″tall. Click here to get the tree on Amazon.com. To learn more about Carmona bonsai trees, you can check out our article here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Crassula Bonsai, also called a Dwarf Jade, we recommend is Brussel’s Bonsai Live Dwarf Jade Indoor Bonsai Tree. To get this Bonsai on Amazon.com, click here. To learn more information about Crassula Bonsai, you can check out our article here.

Bonsai Boy’s Flowering Sweet Plum is by far our favorite Sageretia Bonsai. To check out this Bonsai on Amazon.com, click here. To learn more about Sageretia Bonsai, check out our article here.

And the Schefflera Arboricola Bonsai we highly recommend is Bonsaiboy’s Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com. And to learn more about Schefflera Arboricola Bonsai, you can check out our article here.

Thanks for checking out our article on taking care of indoor Bonsai! Keep in mind that there are Bonsai you can keep indoors, but if you have an outdoor Bonsai, the care requirements will change. In addition to that, the care requirments for your Bonsai are crucial for your plant to be healthy and beautiful. Always place your tree directly in front of your South facing window. Be sure to check out our other articles on Bonsai as well. We hope you enjoy caring for your trees!

Bonsai Tree Soil

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If you want to, you can skip right to our favorite bonsai soils by scrolling down to the very next section where we show you our favorites.  If you need to understand why having the correct soil for your Bonsai is important, we’ve out-lined the most important quick key points in this post. Its often over looked, but having the correct kind of Bonsai soil is key to successfully keeping beautiful bonsai trees. 🙂

Why Using Bonsai Soil is Important

Fertilizing your plant provides your Bonsai with nutrients it needs to survive. Some basic things you need in this fertilizer are Nitrogen, which helps with the growth of the leaves and stems, Potassium which helps in the overall health of your plant, and Phosphorus, which aids in root growth.

Your soil should also provide good aeration. Aeration is the process of air, water, and nutrients filtering down to the Bonsai’s roots.

In order to grow and thrive, Bonsai need to have special soil in order to drain properly. You cannot use just any soil, for a list of our favorite see above for our favorite kinds of soils. If you use regular potting soil, the plant’s roots won’t drain and will rot.

 

Our Favorite Bonsai Soils

Superfly Bonsai – Boon Bonsai Soil Mix


This first Bonsai soil is pre-mixed, so no extra effort is needed. It’s contents include Japanese Akadama, pumice, and black lava to help the draining process. This is a non-organic mix, meaning it has no bark, dirt, or mulch in it. This soil provides great water retention, drainage, and nutrient uptake while still getting air to the roots. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com.

 

Bonsai Jack Universal Organic Bonsai Soil Mix


While this next soil is also pre-mixed, it also provides great water absorption, particle size, and bulk density, and it has multiple options for how much product you get, ranging from 1 gallon to 28 gallons. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Tropical Bonsai Tree Soil Blend Two Quarts From Tinyroots 


If you want a soil with lots of vitamins in minerals, this is the way to go. With 28 vitamins and minerals, it also includes Akadama, clay, river sand, and pine bark. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com.

 

 

A purely Akadama soil is also an excellent option. This soil was mined in Japan, and darkens when wet, providing a good indicator for when you should water your Bonsai. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com.

 

 Superfly Bonsai – Traditional Japanese Bonsai Soil Mix

This last soil is a more traditional Japanese soil with Japanese Kiryu, Akadema, and Hyuga Pumice and no dirt, mulch, or bark. Also, the drainage, nutrient uptake, and water retention are very good. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com.

 

Common Aspects of Good Bonsai Soil

Your Bonsai soil should provide a couple important things.

Water needs to be able to immediately drain from the pot. If the water does not drain, the soil is too water retentive, it lacks aeration, and salts will likely build up. Inevitably, the roots will rot and your Bonsai will die.

As mentioned before, Bonsai soil is a special kind of soil, not like regular soil. That being said, this soil does not provide enough nutrients for the Bonsai alone. In order for your Bonsai to be healthy, you need to add in nutrients with a fertilizer that has Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus.

Bonsai trees’ roots need oxygen, which is why they require special soil that allows for air flow.

 

Different Kinds of Bonsai Soils

Akadama Bonsai Soil

Akadama is a Japanese baked clay, specially made for Bonsai. This needs to be sifted before you use it, and after two years it breaks down, reducing aeration, and needs to be repotted. If you want to avoid re-potting, you can use a mixture with Akadama and other soils. While this soil can be expensive, it is easily accessible. Click here to check out Akadama Bonsai Soil.

 

Lava Rock Bonsai Soil (Scoria)

Lava rock is another good choice because it retains water and your Bonsai’s roots can’t grow into the rocks. It gives your potting a distinct look as most of these bonsai soils are black. Click here to check out our favorite Lava Rock Bonsai Soil.

 

 

 

 

 

Pumice Bonsai Soil

Pumice, a soft volcanic product, absorbs water and nutrients well while still helping to retain water. This also helps the roots to spread and grow. this bonsai soil has a lot of common aspects with the lava rock bonsai soil, but, is richer in sodium.  Click here to check out our favorite brands of pumice bonsai soil.

 

 

 

Fine Gravel Bonsai Soil


Fine gravel helps with the draining process while simultaneously helping the roots to spread and grow as well. Gravel may be used in the bottom of your Bonsai pot. However, most experts do not use this anymore, they instead prefer to use a mix of Akadama, lava rock, and pumice. Click here to check out our favorite fine gravel bonsai soil choices.

 

 

 

Organic Potting Compost Bonsai Soil

Organic potting compost is a mixture often containing sand, moss, and perlite, a volcanic glass. This mix retains too much water and doesn’t drain well. While using it on it’s own is considered a bad idea, using it along with some of the other soils (Akadama, lava rock, pumice) works just fine. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com.

 

 

 

 

We hope that with this proper information you are able to enjoy your Bonsai tree, keeping it health and happy!

BONSAI TREES: HOW LONG DO THEY LIVE?

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Every living thing both plants and animals have a life cycle and a life expectancy they are naturally subjected to follow. The Bonsai plant is not an exception to this fact. The bonsai too has its own life duration and cycle. Although, its existence in different species has given rise to varying longevity.

Generally, the Bonsai plant has a life expectancy as its parent plant. The oldest known Bonsai plants grown in Sanai-Shogun-no-Matsu, Japan before the second world war in the seventeenth century has lasted for over two hundred years since its cultivation.

This ancient plant was originally part of a white pine tree with a life expectancy of five hundred years and has strived in good health since its germination.

Many bonsai trees can live for a very long time, while others for just a couple of years. However, the lifespan of any living thing depends greatly on the care and affection tended towards it.

Planning a bonsai tree from the seed level is can be a very long process, that requires lots of patience and consistency. The process is slow, but you actually get rewarded. When planting a Bonsai, you will have to allow it to take enough time to grow its root and grow strong before you can begin training and trimming it. The bonsai tree has different species thereby creating different longevity for the tree. For beginners, here are the ten best bonsai tree species;

  • Juniper
  • Maple
  • Pine
  • Elm
  • Redwood
  • Azalea
  • Ficus
  • Yew
  • Dwarf umbrella
  • Bald cypress

The type of bonsai species you pick should depend on the environment where you’ll be keeping it. Your regions climate should also be considered. Try to choose species that can grow to full size in your region. If you would like to grow your bonsai tree outdoor, deciduous species such as magnolias, oaks or Japanese elms are excellent options.

The bonsai tree has an age range from a hundred years to five thousand years, Species like bangan, peepal, acacia, birch, field maple, gingko, cryptomena, mesquite, cotton tree, and common alder are likely to live beyond 100 years when grown in the wild. Species like the European beech, common hawthorn, hornbeam, holly live and natural ash live up to 400 years. The scot pine species live up to 500 years.

The Yew species can outlive all other species with a life expectancy of 5000 years. When the bonsai trees are cultivated, the life expectancy of the tree species is expected to be greater, since they were more pampered and protected from elements. When a tree is protected, its lifespan is prolonged for decades. Continuous pruning and nice ideal growing conditions can ensure excellent vigor and health.

Here are some examples of old bonsai trees and their location;

  • Ficus bonsai tree at cresol Italy which is over 1000 years old.
  • Old juniper bonsai tree at mansei-en Japan which has been proven to be over a thousand years old.
  • Japanese white pine that survived Hiroshima.
  • Old bonsai tree at shunkaen which is 800 years old.

Proper trimming of a bonsai tree is the key to maintaining its small stature while keeping it healthy. Trimming diseased or sick leaves and branches increase the health of the tree. It’s true that any plant can be trained to be a bonsai. When choosing or selecting a plant for longevity, try to choose a variety that is known for its strength and adaptability.

Conclusion

Ensuring that the plant is well catered for and free from diseases and stress, can help prolong its natural lifespan. The bonsai is indeed an art all must practice but growing a species with less care and dedication ruins the pride of the art and tells poorly of the groomer’s reputation.

Hope we could help you with the information you needed, thanks for reading through.

 

How To Tell If Your Bonsai Tree Needs Water

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Like all plants here on earth, Bonsai trees need fresh clean water to live. We all know this, but recently one of the girls in my office asked me “how do you know if it needs water?”. I thought she was just being silly for a minute, than I realized she was being curious and that it was a valid question. I haven’t thought about it for years because I just water my Ficus Bonsai tree every week, and I never allow the soil to get dry for extended periods of time. This is a question I get asked a lot, so I figured I’d write a post on it.

 

Feel The Soil To See If Your Bonsai Needs Water

The first thing i’d suggest is to feel the soil. Now, did you notice how I said “the first thing I’d suggest”? That’s because soil dryness can be a sign that you need to water your bonsai tree, but it is not the end all, ultimate sign. I say this because you should be letting your bonsai tree soil get dry between watering. If you keep the soil wet the entire time, your bonsai is prone to fungal infections and will most likely not live for hundreds of years like they are meant to. It’s just prudent to give it a feel and make sure if you can’t remember when you watered your bonsai last.

 

Check The Color Of Your Raw Clay Pots

I also wanted to remind you that if you have a raw pottery pot for your bonsai tree, it will change color a bit if it is wet or dry. It will be darker if it is wet, and it will be lighter colored if it’s dry. Now I will say that this will only work if the pot you use is raw, and it will only apply if there is extreme over or under watering.

 

Keep A Bonsai Tree Watering Schedule

I’ve found that the best way to make sure that my bonsai trees are always watered correctly is setting up a schedule. My watering schedule is super simple. I literally water my bonsai trees on Mondays. I also set an alarm on my cell phone that goes off every Monday at 7:30 am. I get busy with work and a million things going through my mind a day, so the alarm really helps.

 

How I Water My Bonsai

I water my bonsai with a simple spray bottle. I use the mist setting to spray the leaves and tree, and then I set the bottle nozzle to a direct stream and squirt the soil a few times. Remember to completely soak the soil, but only do this once a week or so. The soil will need to dry completely between watering.

How To Care For An Inside Bonsai Tree

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Having an indoor bonsai tree has been a true joy for me, nothing brings a breath of life into my dull workstation like my bonsai tree. I wanted to talk to you about caring for an inside bonsai tree, and sharing information that has worked for me. We will also talk about the different individual needs of inside bonsai trees compared to the needs of outside bonsai trees. I hope you are as excited about these beautiful trees as I am!  Some of my favorite inside bonsai trees are Gardenia Bonsai, Juniper Bonsai, Jade Bonsai, Evergreen Bonsai and Azalea Bonsai trees. These are hardly little trees and just like their names, several of them are flowering trees. There are so many differences between inside and outside bonsai trees. For instance, the pots they are planted in and whether you need a pot to hold water in or one that drains well. Lighting differences, soil types, watering and pruning and the best way to train them and how your particular bonsai will respond to training methods.

Pots For Indoor Bonsai Trees

There is a large array of choices when it comes to choosing a pot for your inside bonsai tree. My preference is ceramic pots because they are durable and beautiful to look at, coming in almost any color and pattern you would desire. Ceramic pots can be glazed or unglazed depending on what you’re looking for. Next, we have Clay pots also known as unbreakable Mica. These are a nice choice for outside bonsai trees. These pots are available in plastic as well and will weather just fine. My favorite pots are the self-watering pots because they are so convenient.

Soil Types For Indoor Bonsai Trees

Now let’s talk about different soil types for indoor bonsai trees. You could start out with a simple General Purpose soil that is relatively inexpensive. My favorite is Akadama which is a soil mix including black lava, pumice,haydite and charcoal. My bonsai does well with this mix. There are also types of topsoil mixes that are specific to the needs of certain bonsai trees such as the following,  for Juniper, Japanese Black Pine, Cedar, and Cypress. There are many other specific needs topsoils as well.

Fertilizer For Indoor Bonsai Trees

To keep your bonsai looking its best and healthy I recommend using a good fertilizer/plant food on a regular basis. These are available in many forms and here are a few I like. I use fertilizer pellets and super food spray because they are mess free. I also like liquid plant food that comes in the form of little sticks as well. Most bonsai trees should be fertilized during the entire growing season of the tree, from early spring till mid-autumn. Indoor trees can be fertilized around the year. It is often recommended to use a fertilizer with a relatively high nitrogen content in spring. Something like NPK 10:6:6 which is a more balanced fertilizer.

Watering Schedule For Indoor Bonsai Trees

The watering of your bonsai must never be neglected. Apply water when the soil appears dry. Never allow the soil to become completely dry. If your bonsai is receiving full sun, it may be necessary to water it once a day. This schedule will vary with the size pot, type of soil and type of bonsai tree you own. Water your bonsai with room temperature tap water because cold water has the potential to shock its roots. My favorite way to water my bonsai is to collect rainwater, they seem to thrive on it. If you can’t use rainwater, simple bottled water is fine. I mention using bottled water only if your tap water is hard, and has a lot of lime in it.

 

Lighting For Indoor Bonsai Trees

Lighting for your bonsai can be a little confusing at times. Generally, your bonsai needs about 5 hours of direct or indirect sunlight per day. Certain species of bonsai do best in winter if they receive most of their light from indirect sources. When using a grow light for your bonsai the best bulbs to use are Full Spectrum fluorescent, which output the natural UV range that sunlight contains. I hope you find this helpful.

 

Training Techniques For Indoor Bonsai Trees

There are several different types of training for your bonsai tree, wire training and jin are my favorites. Wire training is albeit difficult and tedious but well worth the effort. I find most bonsai trees respond well to this whether they are indoor or outdoor. I’ve been training my bonsai with practice and patience it has turned out beautiful.