Juniper Bonsai

I love juniper bonsai

Posts Tagged Juniper Bonsai Care

Bonsai Care Requires Attention to Detail

Jul 10

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

The pleasurable experience off Bonsai gardening is gaining in popularity increasing numbers of people in all ages and cultures are experimenting and learning the art. Once practiced by only the elite class of royalty, bonsai are now easily affordable on nearly any budget. But proper bonsai care does entail considerable planning and patience. If you want to create your own bonsai garden, then it is important you understand that bonsai care is a time consuming art and patience is required to slowly produce the wonderful little work of art that you will envision. Bonsai gardening is not ideally suited to anyone who spends much of his or her time away from home. Your Bonsai tree will require constant care.
Bonsai Care Basics
There are four main elements of bonsai care that you should fully understand before you decide whether or not to purchase your first bonsai tree. Your bonsai tree will require constant monitoring of the moisture in the soil. A bonsai tree will not tolerate dry soil conditions. There must be moisture at the root level at all times or the fine root structure will die quickly. Proper bonsai care entails watering your tree at frequent intervals that will be determined by environmental conditions. You must not allow the roots to become dry and brittle or the tree will quickly wither and returning your Bonsai to health will be very difficult.
Another important fact that you need to know about bonsai care is that your tree will require regular feeding. A liquid fertilizer, the physical elements balanced especially for bonsai trees is highly recommended. The solution should be diluted with water rather than applying at full strength. You can purchase fertilizer that is specially made for bonsai care at nearly any home and garden center or one of the many online gardening stores dedicated to bonsai care.
It may seem obvious to some but not understood by others, your new bonsai tree is just that. It is in fact a tree and not your ordinary house plant. You may wonder about the significance of that small difference. Being a tree, your bonsai will require a dormant period each year. This will occur naturally for those who keep their trees outside in a bonsai garden. For those who grow their bonsai indoors, you will need to be sure to give your tree a cool and dark place to complete the normal life cycle of a typical tree. That should occur over a period of a few months during the winter.
An essential but pleasurable element of bonsai care is the pruning. In order for your new tree to grow into the work of art that you have envisioned, you will need to prune your bonsai on a regular basis. Even if you have purchased a bonsai from a home and garden center that has previously been trained to a shape, you will still need to regularly trim off the new growth in order to maintain the desired shape. If you creating your own shape from a young tree, you will need to prune it regularly until it is growing takes the shape you are looking for. After that shape has been established simply trim on a regular basis to manage the new growth.
Bonsai care can be very time consuming, but it can also be very rewarding.

For more information about Bonsai Gardening please visit Bonsai Gardening

For more information about Houseplants and Gardening please visit Houseplants and Gardens

Check out Amazon.com for Bonsai

Tags: ,

Bonsai Care – the Right Environment

Jul 10

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

Taking care of a Bonsai tree is very rewarding and enables you to enjoy and appreciate owning a healthy bonsai tree for many years.  Bonsai care is time well spent.
Temperature
Why is temperature important for bonsai?
During winter months it is vital that you keep your new indoor bonsai warm — Not hot — but warm, somewhere between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Where your bonsai falls on this guideline depends on where your bonsai is from “originally” and by this I mean where in the world your bonsai is indigenous… the warmer the native climate, the warmer the area in your home it should be located.
How can temperature be monitored?
The thermostat on the wall is a good place to start. However, a small thermometer can better monitor the actual temperature of the location where the bonsai tree is located in. Most garden centres will have small thermometers available for a reasonable price and purchasing a couple is a worthwhile investment, especially if your indoor bonsai are located in a couple different areas of your home.
What is helpful to avoid temperature fluctuation?
Doors, windows, fans, heating systems and draughty hallways will all affect the actual temperature of a particular area. It is important for the health of your bonsai to be maintained at stable temperature. A sudden drop in temperature, as well as, a sudden spike in temperature can injure your indoor bonsai trees. Indoor bonsai should not be kept near a door that is frequently opened during winter months to avoid harmful cold drafts. It is important that you read the care guide that comes with your bonsai to help establish the best environment to maintain a healthy and thriving bonsai.
Air Circulation
Why is air circulation important for a bonsai?
A location with adequate air circulation is very important for the long-term health of your new bonsai. The life sustaining process of photosynthesis requires an unrestricted exchange of fresh air and stagnate environmental conditions could compromise your bonsai’s ability to continue its photosynthetic processes, by clogging the pores or stomata, located on the bottom of leaves, which bonsai trees use for this vital air exchange, through dust and debris accumulation.
What else is air circulation responsible for?
A closed or confined space is the perfect environment for pests and disease, two of the most terrible enemies of bonsai trees. The regular movement of fresh air helps prevent pests, like spider mites, from establishing their webs and infesting and damaging your bonsai trees. Air circulation also assists your trees in the transportation of essential fluids from the roots to the leaves, by osmosis, which is a vital process. Air also prevents possible root rot conditions, from soil saturation, by assisting in water evaporation.
How can air circulation be improved for a bonsai?
If your bonsai is kept indoors or inside a greenhouse, you might consider leaving a door open, or cracked, and a fan, or fans, running. Spraying and misting your bonsai off regularly will help to remove all dust and debris from the bottoms and tops of leaves, allowing your bonsai to “breathe” freely and to continue its photosynthetic processes.
Pests and Disease
How can I prevent pests & disease?
When working to prevent the possible injury or death of your beloved bonsai, the best defence is a strong offence.  Put simply – do the obvious – keep your bonsai clean, dust and debris free and cleared of fallen leaves and flowers.  Ensure there is sufficient lighting as well as good ventilation and lots of fresh air. A healthy bonsai tree is without a doubt the most important preventative of pests and disease.
How can I treat pests & disease?
Unfortunately, even the best cared for bonsai can come across some type of pests or disease over the months and years.  The first thing to try to change is your bonsai’s current environment. This technique is the simplest and safest. Quite often a change of location can help an struggling bonsai tree and if it does not, at the very least, you know that your bonsai’s problem is probably not environmental.
The second incremental step would be to try, if possible, to introduce biological controls such as ladybugs. Ladybugs are of no danger to your bonsai and they will eat nearly all pests that are. Of course, this technique is limited to outdoor locations.
The third incremental step would be to use chemicals, also in levels of increasing toxicity. To start, you can try spraying a very mild solution of warm water and liquid dish soap on your trees. This technique is an excellent way to prevent a wide variety of diseases and helps in discouraging many types of pests. Multiple applications may be required to achieve and maintain a healthy bonsai, but the rewards will far out-weigh the efforts.
The fourth incremental step would be to try using a mild insecticidal soap. This multi-purpose soap derivative offers effective control over most pests. This type of insecticide is one of the mildest and safest, for humans, animals and bonsai – something of a vital importance, especially if you have children and pets.
The incremental step of “last resort” would be to use an actual “chemical” spray – i.e. an insecticide. It should be handled carefully and used as per manufacturer’s instructions.

 Peter Williams has his own website with many useful tips & hints,
resources and links about bonsai care and how
to look after your bonsai tree. Some nice
pictures too!

Check out Amazon.com for Bonsai

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Bonsai Care

Jul 10

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

Bonsai CareThe very word ‘bonsai’ conjures so many thoughts to many people.  Almost a warrior sound yet in reality the word bonsai refers to a miniature tree called a bonsai tree.Where Bonsai Started.Most of us associate bonsai with the Japanese.  Apparently the art of bonsai care and development as we know it today originated in China and was known as Pensai in China.  Pensai as it was known has been traced back to around 600 a.d. and subsequently made it’s way to JapanThe word “Bonsai” comprises of two parts ‘bone’ meaning tray and “sai” meaning plant, which when literally translated equates to “tray plant”.   We are so emphatic to ensure that we correctly call bonsai – trees when part of the derivation of the word does in fact mean plant.In the care of bonsai trees we’ll take a few clear topics:-O    Watering bonsaiO    Light and Humidity for my bonsai treeO    Bonsai Feeding How frequently to water a Bonsai.The first question most budding bonsai carers ask is “How often should I water a bonsai tree?” and the answer depends on many different factors.  Watering and caring for a bonsai tree is a constant balance between too much and too little.  Variables to consider are when caring for your bonsai tree are:-O    The type of bonsai tree.O    The time of year is it – winter, summer, spring or autumn (fall).O    The location of the bonsai tree within your house or garden.O    The location of your property – i.e. Alaska or Arizona. How should I water a bonsai tree? The “best” way to water is to first wet the soil a little, this will improve the soil’s ability to take in or absorb a larger volume of water, and then you should water thoroughly until the soil is saturated. Make certain that the entire soil mass gets wet – every time – you water and wait for the excess to run out of the drainage holes to be sure.When should I water a Bonsai tree?The “best” time to water is probably early in the morning, before the bonsai tree begins its day of growing activities.  Also take a look during the day if the bonsai tree located in a particularly hot and dry place.  Bonsai trees do not grow when the soil is too wet and they do not grow when the soil is too dry.  A bonsai tree takes in water and nutrients during the ‘in between’ periods. Work out a sensible watering schedule that is realistic and achievable and try and maintain a regular caring plan for your bonsai tree. What kind of water should I use to water a bonsai tree? Water your a bonsai with room temperature tap water.  If the water is too hot or too cold it may “shock” the tree’s roots. If you have the ability, facility and time to collect rain to water – great.  Light and Humidity for my bonsai tree.What light does a bonsai require? Lighting is critical to your bonsai tree and keeping it healthy. Unfortunately there is no scientific formulae to ‘how much light’ does my bonsai tree need.  Light requirements vary within the type of tree and the layout and design of your home.What is the best kind of light for a bonsai? Sunlight is by far the best type of light for bonsai trees and most other members of the planet earth! If the window providing most light is a convenient place then by all means use the best window klocation.  It’s all down to balance – you don’t want to have your bonsai tree in a ‘windy’ hallway – even if it is the brightest place in your homw.  If you preferred location doesn’t get too much light then utilise som e artifical light. So, in a case like this you need to find an alternative and more practical location and use some type of artificial lighting system.  A simple ‘grow-light’ and timer will be a low cost and practical solutuion.What about humidity and my bonsai tree? Humidity helps to reduce water loss and a very dry environment cuase a bonsai tree to naturally loose it’s water content.  Obviously avoid artifical and local causes of ‘dryness’ – i.e. don’t place next to a fire or heater.  Indoor bonsai trees slow their growth in winter and do not need as much water.  If you have a dry home (lacking humiditry) you can place your bonsai on a “humidity tray” filled with pebbles – this is probably improves your own environment too! The tray should be kept wet at all times so as to increase humidity levels.  The other very simple solution is a spray.  Using room temperature water spray the bonsai tree with a fine mist or spray.Bonsai Feeding Why Do Bonsai Need Fertiliser? The bonsai environment is ‘artificial’ and therefore requires our intervention, help and care in order to maintain the health and development of the bonsai tree. The simplest way to achieve a healthy bonsai tree in addition to frequent watering is a frequent dose of fertiliser to the soil.What type of fertiliser to use?Use a balanced fertiliser to feed your bonsai tree – typically 20-20-20, at 25% strength, every other week. The numbers 20-20-20 are the percentage, by weight, of the N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) contained in that fertiliser. These elements will enhance the growth of your bonsai tree.What Does N-P-K Stand For & What Does It Do? N – Nitrogen is responsible for the size and amount of new growth and, to some extent, the green colour of the leaves. Nitrogen is required for cell division         and, also, protein manufacturing. P – Phosphorus is also necessary for cell division and is associated with good root growth and flowering. K – Potassium activates cell enzymes and is related with overall healthy cell activity.Bonsai Fertiliser NotesO    Always water your bonsai thoroughly before fertilising and never use fertiliser on a dry tree.O    Never fertilise a sick tree, as fertiliser is not medicine.O    If you are not sure how much fertiliser to use, follow the directions on the label and never use more than recommended.O    Fertiliser is a good thing, but too much is a bad thing.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Easy Bonsai Care for Beginners

Jul 9

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

Bonsai Care: First Things First As with any garden, the basic elements that your bonsai plant will need to thrive are the right soil, the appropriate amount of light, and the right amount of water.  However, bonsai care involves fulfilling certain needs that ordinary plants don’t have. For instance, did you know that most bonsai trees are bred to be outdoor plants like their full-sized counterparts?  If you bring a sun-loving bonsai inside, be prepared to give it 12-16 hours a day of fluorescent light. There are, however, some bonsai plants that do not need that much light, and these may be the ideal species if you want to practice bonsai care indoors.    Another important element of bonsai care is utilizing the right soil.  In the “wild,” trees grow tall due to their deep root systems, which dig deeply into the earth.  In contrast, your bonsai will grow in a shallow tray or container, and therefore, your tree’s root system cannot penetrate deeply downward. Instead, it will spread out shallowly, thereby reducing your tree’s growth.  For this reason, bonsai plants need a special mix of soil to ensure that their roots don’t become waterlogged and drown. Because they are grown in such shallow containers, regular potting soil is much too dense and will trap too much water, killing the tree’s roots, and eventually, the tree.  In practicing proper bonsai care, you should purchase special bonsai soil, which is a mix of loam, sand, and organics, like peat moss and leaf mold. What soil you should specifically buy is determined by your local climate. Your local greenhouse or nursery, bonsai enthusiast, or Agriculture Extension office can help you determine which soil is perfect for your bonsai’s care.   Water and Food in Bonsai CareOf course, the one question all beginner bonsai gardeners have is “when should I water my bonsai?”  The answer to this important bonsai care question depends upon what kind of bonsai you have, how humid or dry the air is around your bonsai, what time of the year it is, and other variables.  Ideally, in bonsai care, you want a balance between too much and too little. Don’t overwater—but don’t underwater either. Make sure your water is at room temperature, as you don’t want to shock your plant with either cold or hot water. If you use tap water, let it sit out overnight so that the chlorine and other chemicals can oxidize out of the water.  Wet the soil first, which will increase the bonsai’s ability to take in more water.  Afterwards, soak the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes in your training tray. Make sure that the entire soil mass gets wet. Watering is best done daily in the early morning, before the plant begins its daily photosynthesis cycle.  You can also mist your bonsai on a daily basis to help it retain its necessary humidity levels. As for fertilizer in bonsai care, use a completely balanced fertilizer (i.e., 20-20-20, which is equal parts nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) every other week at quarter strength.  A balanced fertilizer is ideal in bonsai care because your tree is considerably smaller than the plants the fertilizer is typically used for. Never fertilize a dry tree (the shock could kill it – make sure to water first!) and don’t fertilize a sick tree; remember, fertilizer isn’t medication. With the right amount of water and light, along with appropriate soil and fertilizer, you are well on your way to growing a beautiful bonsai collection.  Bonsai care does not have to be difficult, as long as you remember to meet the fundamental needs your beautiful bonsai plant has.

Jonas C. is one of the authors/ contributors to the Australian blog Bonsai Master. After getting his first bonsai tree a couple of years back the art of bonsai has become something close to an obsession Jonas is now a bonsai enthusiast who spends a lot of time researching proper bonsai care techniques.

Check out Amazon.com for Bonsai

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,