How to grow bonsai at home. How to grow bonsai at home from seeds: step by step instructions Bonsai growing technique

The world was introduced to the art of bonsai by the Japanese. And the idea of growing copies of trees in flat pots came to them from China in the 6th century. The Chinese have been able to grow small boxwoods, pines and cypresses for two millennia, but the Japanese craftsmen managed to give this skill the features of true art. In Japan, bonsai has become a philosophy that associates the best qualities of the individual with the form and prosperity of a home treasure in a flat bowl. To grow a tree you need knowledge and skills, close attention, understanding, delicacy and love. You will understand this when you get to know the examples of many years of creativity - in good hands, a tree lives for hundreds of years, links generations and becomes a symbol of the family.

Bonsai is a unique phenomenon that is difficult to put on a par with the cultivation of indoor plants. A miniature tree is an absolute, many times reduced copy of large trees, while maintaining proportions and shapes.

This bonsai requires compliance with clear requirements:

Strong stem with well defined root base.
Clear and graphic line of branches.
Branches and trunk are the basis of a tree.
A miniature plant should be recognizable, no one should have any doubts about its generic affiliation.
A bonsai pot cannot draw attention to itself - it is just a base for a plant.
The tree and the pot form a single composition.

Features of growing bonsai

In size, bonsai are large - up to 120 cm, medium - from 30 to 60 cm, small up to 30 cm, miniature - up to 15 cm, among which there are very tiny ones 5 centimeters high. In this case, growth is measured from the edge of the pot to the maximum point of the crown.

No connoisseur will advise you to cut a medium-sized tree to make it miniature - buy a plant of the desired height or grow it yourself. For the smallest bonsai, plants with small needles or leaves are suitable, such as myrtle, bamboo, cypress or boxwood.

When growing bonsai, you need to consider the following features:

To form a strong trunk, the first couple of years the tree is grown in a pot "for growth".
Watering is regular, but very moderate.
Transplant every year (spring) with the removal of excess roots.
Fertilizers of low concentration.

Indoor bonsai require constant attention and reverent attitude. If you want to put a miniature tree at home, get ready for constant care and creation of favorable conditions for it. Home bonsai require high humidity and do not tolerate drafts.

The easiest way to get a homemade tree is to buy it ready-made in the store and cherish it, following all the rules. At the other extreme, trying to grow bonsai from seed is too long and the prospects are dim. We suggest taking the middle path.

First of all, decide which tree you want to grow in your home. The choice is almost unlimited, but pine, oak, elm, juniper, birch and ficus most often take root and lend themselves to formation.

The mini-tree will develop according to the laws common to all trees: deciduous trees will turn yellow in autumn and shed their leaves, while conifers will turn green all year round. Miniaturization is achieved by constant pruning and inhibition of development.

Find a small, healthy seedling in a forest or park and carefully dig it up. The height of the sprout is not higher than 15 centimeters. In the same place, take some soil that the plant is accustomed to. Cut the roots with scissors to 10 centimeters. Branches also need to be cut, leaving only horizontally located processes.

At the bottom of a shallow pot, lay a grate and cover with a mixture of peat, sand and garden soil or earth from the place where you took the sprout (1:1:3). Plant a tree, water the soil and take it out into the air, for example, onto a balcony. Arrange the plant in such a way that it is protected from direct sunlight.

When is the best time to plant

The best time for planting is autumn. In winter, the tree will take root and begin to grow in the spring. When the height of the trunk reaches 30 centimeters, you need to start forming a tree.

Where to get bonsai seeds?

Bags of seeds are sold in flower and online stores; cute “bonsai” are drawn on the bags. But these are the most common tree seeds, a small copy of which you want to see at home. Without proper care, these seeds could theoretically grow into pines, oaks and birches. If you decide to go the long way on your own, you can sprout a seed from a bag or from a park, but the process will take several years.

How to choose a bonsai pot

The right choice of a pot is very important, as it will not only be a rooting place, but also part of the composition. For mini-trees, there are special small clay containers. Clay pots are environmentally friendly and better suited for plants than plastic or metal ones, but they absorb a lot of moisture, which must be taken into account when watering. The pot must have several drainage holes and short legs so that air enters the roots. Flat pots promote horizontal formation of the root system.

There are several proven rules for choosing a bonsai pot:

The length of the pot is 2/3 of the height of the plant.
Width - slightly less than the most protruding branches.
Usually the depth of the pot is equal to the diameter of the trunk at the base.

Advice. Aesthetically look light pots with flowering plants with grayish or pale green foliage. Trees with a dark trunk that stands out against the foliage look good in dark brown, gray or blue pots.

Indoor bonsai are extremely demanding and whimsical, it is not easy to grow them. If the maintenance rules are violated, the tree will die or become an ordinary plant, nothing resembling a Japanese mini-miracle.

Location and lighting

Plants need additional lighting, especially from October to March. When choosing a place for bonsai, consider the following conditions:

The tree loves bright light, if the bonsai pot is on the windowsill, remove everything that can shade the plant.
Growth will be more active on a western or eastern window, in a place where the sun penetrates in the morning or evening.
In cloudy weather, compensate for the lack of illumination with artificial lighting. In summer, this method should not be abused, but in winter and autumn it is recommended to install a fluorescent lamp that will not heat the plant.

Air humidity

The usual humidity in a city apartment is insufficient for most bonsai. To solve this problem, place the pot on a tray of water. Regular spraying of the tree in the morning is useful so that the plant has time to dry by sunset.

Temperature regime

If your bonsai is a reduced copy of a subtropical plant (myrtle, pomegranate, olive), in winter it needs a temperature of + 5-15 ° C, in summer it is better to take the pot out to the balcony.

For tropical trees, a higher temperature of + 18-25 ° C is required. In summer, leave them in the room, and in winter, do not arrange them on a cold stone window sill.

Attention! The need for light, water and top dressing depends on the temperature in which the plant is kept. The warmer the room, the more abundant watering and fertilizing.

How to water correctly

Keep the soil in the pot moist, but not wet. When watering, the earth should be soaked through. In summer, watering is more abundant. Subtropical plants are rarely watered in summer. Tropical trees cannot stand cold water. The ideal option is warmed melt water, warmed, but you can also water it with settled tap water.

Top dressing and fertilizer

When growing bonsai, it is important to slow down its growth. In a tight pot, you can create conditions for controlled growth of a tree, but it is difficult to ensure the supply of necessary substances from the soil. Top dressing is necessary so that the plant does not die, but fertilizer must be selected taking into account the type of tree, its age, season. Periodically, macro- and microelements should be added. The main top dressing includes potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. Less often and in limited quantities, magnesium, zinc, calcium, copper, boron, molybdenum and other trace elements are added.

The start of feeding coincides with the activation of growth. In the spring, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is applied and top dressing is repeated every month until mid-summer. Then you should take a break until the beginning of autumn, a series of top dressing continues until the onset of a dormant period.

Advice. Apply more nitrogen in the spring and increase the potassium content of the fertilizer in the fall. Flowering and fruiting bonsai should receive phosphorus.

Complex mineral fertilizers for bonsai are optimally suited for tree care. The packaging indicates the proportions and frequency of fertilizer corresponding to the size of the plant and its condition.

Advice. It is convenient to apply dissolved fertilizers in a tray under the pot so that the soil is completely saturated.

pruning

The most favorable time is spring and summer. Trees that also grow in winter should be pruned all year round.

If the shoot is strong, it is cut obliquely under the kidney. A weak shoot is cut horizontally above the kidney. Soft shoots are best pinched off with nails.

Without pruning, the plant will begin to stretch upwards and stop branching. When forming the shape of a tree, the ratio of the height of the trunk to the entire plant is 1: 3.

Usually the bud at the top grows first, which determines upward growth. After the removal of this kidney, the lateral kidneys will begin to actively develop. When pruning shoots, consider the direction of growth of the kidneys.

You need to start pruning after the appearance of the first five leaves, cutting one or two of the top ones to stop stretching the branches. The extreme upper kidney will determine the further direction of growth.

Growing bonsai, you become an artist who creates a tree to your liking. Form the shape so that the pattern of the trunk and branches is visible, there are no voids.

The first year of life, the tree should grow without external intervention, and in the next seven years, the bonsai is transplanted every year, later - every two years. The most successful time for transplanting is March-April, because with the onset of spring, the tree will be provided with light and warmth for adaptation. After taking the plant out of the pot, inspect the roots and remove the diseased and drying ones. If the root system looks unhealthy, the potting soil should contain gravel.

The transfer goes like this:

In two days, the plant is no longer watered so that the roots are easily cleared of the soil.
A new pot on the day of transplantation is washed, disinfected and rinsed.
The drainage hole is covered with a shard or mesh.
Transplantation is quick, as the roots are sensitive to light and air.
Holding the plant firmly on the trunk, draw a knife along the walls of the pot and take out a tree with a clod of earth.
The soil is removed by a third from all sides.
Sick and dried roots are cut off, the rest are slightly shortened.
A thin layer of fresh soil is laid on the bottom of the pot.
The plant is placed in a new pot and the roots are straightened.
Asymmetrical trees are placed closer to the edge of the pot, symmetrical ones - in the center.
The roots should be visible above the surface, but not too high.
If the root system is weak, the plant is fixed with wire through a drainage hole to which a wooden stick is attached.
Top up the soil, filling the voids between the roots and at the edge of the pot. The soil is compacted with fingers.
Bonsai are watered until water seeps through the drainage hole.
The pot is placed in a well-lit place without drafts and scorching sun.
New roots will form in a month.

Problems, diseases, pests

Indoor trees are attacked by insects that can kill the plant.

Aphid

It multiplies quickly and sucks the juices out of the plant. If green, white or black aphids appear, immediately spray the trees with an insecticide and repeat the procedure every other day.

hairy aphid

Settles on larches and pines. It looks like cotton balls that need to be removed from the plant. Treat the bonsai with an insecticide and wash off any remaining pests with water.

Shchitovka

Looks like a growth on the bark. Insects should be removed and the plant sprayed every other day with an insecticide.

bark beetle

They affect adult plants and rarely get out from under the bark to the surface, so you can find the pest years later. Pay attention to holes in the bark and to colorless areas. Treat with an insecticide for 8 weeks, after removing the damaged areas of the bark.

powdery mildew

A fungus that breeds in high humidity and poor air circulation. Use the fungicide without allowing it to enter the soil.

Popular types

Hibiscus
Pomegranate
Casuarine
Callistemon
Cypress
cistus
Olive
Spurge
Pelargonium
Rosemary
boxwood
Pine
fat girl
ficus
Shefler

Answers to questions from readers

plant life span

If you want to take bonsai cultivation seriously, get ready for the fact that caring for it should become a ritual. Under this condition, your tree will pass to your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the Japanese Imperial Garden, there are bonsai that are over three hundred years old.

Can this plant be kept at home?

Yes, sure. Bonsai is a human creation and should live at home.

Is this flower poisonous?

Mini-trees in all manifestations repeat their large ancestors. If you choose bansai spurge, it will be poisonous.

Why do leaves turn yellow and fall off?

It is very difficult to care for a bonsai - it does not forgive neglect and is sensitive to all violations of the regime. Perhaps the leaves are turning yellow because you poured it with tap water or the pot is standing in a draft. Just cold water can provoke leaf fall. Too hot sun and lack of moisture also cause disease. Spray the plant and inspect it thoroughly for pests.

Bonsai care in winter

Pour gravel into the pan and pour water. Remove the flower pot from the heaters and place it in a cool place so that the tree can rest until spring.

Indoor bonsai is a subject of constant care, an object of contemplation, an important element of feng shui and a family heirloom that is inherited. Growing a tree from the seeds of a plant can bring you complete creative satisfaction and rave reviews. Although it will be quite a while (at least three years) before you can begin proper care and shaping the tree, this is the only way to grow a bonsai from the very beginning at home!

If you are collecting seeds from trees growing in your area (such as pine or maple), then it is best not to plant them in the fall, but if you want to plant them in the spring, or, alternatively, grow a tree that is not typical for your climate, then plant seeds will need stratify.

Stratification is a pre-treatment of plant seeds that mimics winter conditions, a kind of hardening. Growing and caring for a novice florist can be a bit of a challenge, so you should first germinate the seeds of local trees in the fall, just as it happens in natural conditions.

Where to get bonsai seeds, germination and care

You can collect seeds from coniferous or deciduous trees in your region (spruce, pine, maple, oak, etc.) in autumn. Seeds, like fruits such as chestnuts or acorns, are easy to find in the forest.

Conifer seeds can be found in pine cones.

After you collect pine, spruce or cedar cones, you need to store them in a warm place so that the seeds stick out between the scattered scales.

Seeds of the sakura plant or other exotic trees can be obtained from China, they collect mostly positive customer reviews. From exotic seeds, you can make a bonsai mix, the care of which is not difficult.

The ability to germinate a seed depends on a number of factors:

From the quality and viability of seeds;
From ambient temperature;
From the method of collection and storage;
From how much time has passed since aging.

It is advisable to use fresh seeds that have ripened this or last year; seeds of some trees remain viable for a very short time.

The seeds of a plant are biologically programmed to germinate in their native habitat when natural conditions are most favorable. For most species, this means that seeds that mature in late summer and fall will be dormant through the winter and then germinate when the soil warms.

Sprouting in the spring, the young seedling has all the spring, summer and autumn at its disposal to grow and strengthen for its first wintering.

Therefore, many seeds ripen all summer, and, falling to the ground, do not grow, but hibernate under the snow, of course, if they are not eaten by birds or animals. Coniferous trees - pine, cedar, various spruce - are especially affected by animals.

It is possible to stratify seeds to mimic the effect of repeated freezing and thawing in the refrigerator during the winter, and then gradually warming the soil and increasing daylight hours.

The seeds of the plant should be washed in water for 5-6 hours, and then placed in a damp plastic bag and left at room temperature for 3-4 days. Seeds that swell in water are viable, and any floating seeds are, in fact, empty shells, they will not germinate and must be removed, no matter how many there are.

The plastic bag of seeds is placed at the bottom of the refrigerator where the temperature is about 4°C. The bag is then gradually transferred to the top shelves in the refrigerator over a period of two weeks until it reaches the top shelf where the temperature is just above freezing. Over the second two-week period, the bag should be slowly moved down to the bottom of the refrigerator. After that, the seeds can be pulled out of the refrigerator and sown in the soil.

Bonsai: getting to know the art (video)

How long does a bonsai grow from seeds

Growing a beautiful homemade bonsai from seed is a very long and difficult work process, but caring for such a bonsai is the highest pleasure. It may take years, and even more - your whole life, but it's worth it. Incomparably beautiful miniature pine, oak or cherry blossoms.

Beginners usually buy ready-made bonsai seedlings from stores or online resources, but you can find plant seeds right in the forest in your area.

Coniferous trees - spruce, pine, fir - generally hardly tolerate transplantation, since they have a single-root system with very delicate root hairs. Seeds from trees in your region (rather than tropical or equatorial ones) are best planted in the fall so that they begin to germinate in the spring. You need to start caring for them as soon as they appear from the soil.

In Japan, it is customary to grow family bonsai, take care of them and pass them on from generation to generation. A tree lives for hundreds of years, maybe even a thousand or more, and what does human life mean compared to the practically eternal life of a tree? Conifers live the longest - sequoias live up to 4000 years.

Bonsai carmona care at home

Carmona or Fujian tea is one of the favorite types of tropical bonsai. Seeds and seedlings of the plant are readily available at online discounters, bonsai nurseries, and are sold on many online sites. In another way, it is called small-leaved karmona. Under natural conditions, it grows in the form of a small tree or shrub no more than 4 meters high. Carmona is distributed from India and Malaysia to the Philippines. Photos of carmona can be seen on many resources dedicated to floristry and bonsai.

The tree is constantly wrapped in small white five-petalled flowers. When pollinated, the flowers produce miniature red drupes. Although karmona is not as beautiful as cherry blossoms, many people find charm and beauty in it.

Carmona does not have a dormant period, it grows all year round. The tree grows upward, so constant care is needed - you will have to twist the branches with wire to achieve curly shapes. The tree needs to be constantly pinched, but lignified branches are almost impossible to bend.

Large scars on the cortex practically do not heal, that is, you need to think about how to hide them in the cortex. Bark care consists in periodically pickling it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

The main disadvantage of karmona is its attraction to insects, especially the mealybug, which can kill the tree. In addition, bonsai are affected by aphids and scale insects. Unfortunately, karmona is susceptible to many systemic pesticides, especially diazinon. Before spraying karmona with anything, try on a single leaf and if it does not turn black within 7 days, then you can treat the whole plant.

All types of karmona have leaves with an uneven surface, similar to sandpaper with small gray spots. This is normal and is not a consequence of insect infestation.

Fertilize the tree weekly, during the entire growth period. Do not fertilize newly acquired, transplanted or diseased trees.

It is best to keep carmona on the south or west side of the house. If the window faces north or east, then it is necessary to highlight the plant with a fluorescent lamp from a distance of 10-15 cm for 10-12 hours every day.

It is very easy to grow a plant from fresh seeds. It is only necessary to remove the juicy peel from the fruit, plant fresh seeds in the bonsai soil, and lightly water to keep the soil moist. Seeds will sprout within 4 weeks. Let them grow for a year, and then start shaping the trunk and crown with wire. Stem cuttings are also very easy to root.

Bonsai pine from seeds (video master class)

This manual describes how to plant and germinate pine seeds for bonsai in the early stages. The correct care and conditions for keeping the seedling will also be shown.

Part 1: where to start (video)

Part 2: first shoots (video)

Podocarpus bonsai home care

Large-leaved Podocarpus (Buddhist pine or yew) is a rather slow growing evergreen tree, very often grown as a bonsai.

It is quite easy to care for him:

Water regularly, Buddhist pine does not like drought.
Top dressing - every two weeks during the growing season, in winter - in small quantities and less often.
You can cut at any time of the year. Regular pruning will help form a lush, beautiful crown.
Transplant every 2-3 years, avoid cutting the roots too much. Podocarpus prefers slightly acidic soil.
Propagation by cuttings, summer.

Bonsai at home: decorative thuja (video)

The culture of bonsai came from Japan and China and is firmly established throughout the world. The most favorite bonsai are pine, yew, oak, as well as sakura and carmona. There are numerous recommendations on how to grow bonsai at home. To grow bonsai from seeds, you just need to collect them in a forest or park, or buy them in stationary or online stores. Japanese cherry trees are very popular - sakura, podocarpus, carmona, as well as conifers because of their unpretentiousness and exceptional beauty. Bonsai care comes down to watering, fertilizing, transplanting, protecting against pests and shaping the crown by trimming and twisting with wire.

Bonsai at home (photo)

Bonsai is a composition of a tree, a miniature copy of it, but grown in a pot or planter. Such an event is quite long and laborious, but will certainly bring satisfaction from the result.

But it should be understood that bonsai is an art that includes patience, desire and self-control, bordering on inspiration.

Before you “swing” at complex bonsai compositions, you should start with a small tree.

How to grow bonsai at home from cuttings

Bonsai can be grown in several ways, from seeds, or, for example, from cuttings.

plant selection

The first step is to choose the right plant to create a bonsai composition in a pot.

Actually, the choice in such an event is quite large:

Ficus.
Birch.
Pine.
Juniper.

It should be understood that bonsai is the same tree as any other, but only created in a miniature copy, so the process of growth and development will follow the same rules.

So, in the fall, the tree will shed its foliage, unless, of course, the question concerns evergreen representatives.

This is the advantage of choosing conifers for miniature cultivation, their appearance throughout the year.

As a result of the efforts, a beautiful bonsai can be obtained through constant pruning and crown formation, which will ensure the inhibition of the development of the culture.

Choice of future style

When forming a crown, you must adhere to a certain style:

Cascade, when the top of the plant will droop down to the soil;
Inclined style, while the bonsai should grow at an angle to the planter;
Multi-stem style, when a tree is represented by several trunks;
Straight, classic style.

Bowl selection

An important factor that will ensure good crop growth is the right choice of bonsai bowl, so it is recommended to choose a shallow pot, but wide enough. It is considered mandatory to ensure drainage so that the liquid does not stagnate, so several stones should be placed on the bottom of the bowl.

Soil preparation

For effective crop growth, optimally selected soil or the composition of a specially prepared soil mixture is important. The soil for the best growing bonsai should be as rough as possible and have a high percentage of absorbency.

There is a recipe for self-preparation of the soil mixture:

50% sand.
50% organic material.

As an organic substrate, you can use:

Peat.
Cora.
Humus.

The rules for growing bonsai regulate that the plant should look as natural as possible, as if it always had to grow in a flower pot, the cropped crown should in no case look like a cropped, "torn". The trunk should be curved in the correct shape, open to winds and fresh air.

A great opportunity to show the taste and desire to decorate bonsai are various figurines, figurines and Chinese decor items. In this case, the main thing is not to overdo it, so that the plant seems light, and not overloaded with decorations.

Among the most preferred décor options are items that can give an antique look, such as roots or driftwood.

During the initial active growth of the seedling, it is not recommended to leave it in direct sunlight for a long time, it is best to choose a place in light partial shade.

Experts advise planting bonsai in the autumn, in order to give the tree time to take root and take root over the winter.

seedling processing

But beginners who cannot wait for the results of their labors can use a variety of organic fertilizers as an initial seedling treatment.

Before planting, the roots of the seedling should be cut as much as possible, leaving no more than 10–12 cm. In addition, the tree trunk is subject to mandatory pruning, so that the seedling has only one central trunk.

crown formation

After the plant grows more than 30-35 cm, you can safely start pruning and crown formation based on the pre-selected style of the bonsai tree.

So, in order to slow down the growth of the plant, the branches must be mercilessly removed and the cut must be wrapped with soft wire. After the start has been made, it is necessary to remove not only the branches, but also the buds.

In order to significantly slow down the growth and development of the seedling, it will be necessary to make horizontal small cuts on the stem of the plant, around the entire circumference, so as to slow down the flow of juices.

In order to create the chosen bonsai style (inclined style or some other), it is necessary to drive a peg in the pot, to which the edge of the plant is tied with wire, thereby giving a direction for growth and development.

Planting bonsai in a ceramic bowl

The first planting must be done in such a way that the plant does not have to be disturbed in the next two years.

In the future, it all depends on the type of crop chosen, some trees will need to be replanted annually, some once every three years, everything will depend on the intensity of growth.

The most important goal that needs to be achieved by transplantation is the removal of an extra root system, which, during development, will surely fill the entire pot.

How to grow bonsai from seeds

Every tree that can be imagined as such a "miniature masterpiece" can be grown from seed. The most common among them are:

Acacia;
Ficus;
Birch;
Hornbeam;
Maple;
Needles.

Among the evergreen "representatives" are cedar, pine, spruce and cypress.

Seeds can be purchased at any gardening store or, for example, found in botanical gardens, borrowed from friends, in personal plots. So, you can find a unique tree for yourself.

However, when choosing seeds in online stores and specialized centers, it is worthwhile to understand that a beautiful picture is just an image created by specialists, and what happens as a result is the result of fruitful constant work, knowledge and efforts.

Before growing a tree from seeds, they will need to be properly germinated and treated with special growth stimulants and organic agents, which subsequently exclude plant diseases. Often, a fungicide is used for diseases and other problems with seeds, in liquid form. In addition, it is recommended to sterilize the prepared soil.

Before placing the seeds in the ground, it is necessary to put them in water for several days so that the seeds swell for the initial stage of development. Thus, a high percentage of germination can be ensured.

As a soil mixture, it is advised to choose a combination of sand and peat, in proportions of 1: 1. In order to do everything much faster, you can use the purchased soil, for example, "soil for cacti", which is offered in any flower shop.

As sand, it is better to choose coarse-grained material.

All components of the soil mixture should fill the peat cup no higher than the edge point, and it is best to leave a few "cm" to the edge of the cup.

Seeds placed in the ground should be lightly sprinkled with sand on top, press down the soil and pour plenty of water.

When the first sprouts appear in the cup, the plants immediately need to provide air flow, after the first two leaves, the culture can be fully opened.

At three months, the plant needs to dive, perform the formation of shoots, so it is worth cutting off the tap root and re-rooting the culture. Then you need to apply a stimulating hormone that will provide better root formation.

After the plant reaches about 10 cm in height, it is necessary to carefully accustom the tree to the sun's rays, and for a while take the plant out onto the balcony.

Even at this time, it is necessary to constantly monitor the growth from time to time by carrying out the formation of the crown. Subject to all the rules, as a result, you can get a truly beautiful plant - a decorative bonsai grown by yourself.

Features of care

Bonsai are best placed on the sunny side of the house, provide them with high humidity and constant watering.

For efficient, proper growth of the plant, good lighting is required, and it will also be necessary to turn the pot from time to time, for uniform growth. Some experts create special rack structures that protect the plant from drafts and serve as protection from the wind.

For already large plants, in order for the trunk to grow in the right direction, I use pegs or posts to which a fragile tree is attached.

You can plant bonsai yourself. The main thing is to choose the right plant so that it feels comfortable in the environment. The cultivation technology is not at all complicated, but it requires regular monitoring of the formation, a lot of time and effort. Bonsai must be properly cared for. It is important to create favorable conditions that affect the appearance and growth - light, humidity and air temperature, watering, soil.

The bonsai growing kit includes:

Instruction;
Pot;
Priming;
plant seeds;
Fertilizer.

Some kits have a wire and a special pallet in their completion. In principle - "any whim for your money."

You can buy a ready-made set in a store or order it online. In this case, you can at the same time choose any seeds at your discretion.

How long does a bonsai tree grow from seeds

The growth period of bonsai is determined according to the type of tree. Growing such a miniature tree from a seed at home will require a lot of effort and patience.

Bonsai growth periods:

Seed care. This process, on average, takes several years.
Germ care. From this point on, the process becomes more interesting.

All subsequent time, bonsai grows and pleases its creator. In Japan, such plants have been grown for centuries and millennia, passing the tree by inheritance. Some bonsai trees live up to 4,000 years.

The most durable are coniferous bonsai.

Today it is available to purchase a ready-made sprout and immediately plant it. In this case, you can save several years. But you will not receive guarantees that this is actually the same tree, and not a dwarf fake. The cost of a bonsai tree directly depends on the type of plant and how old it is. Seeds are inexpensive - from a few rubles apiece. And for comparison, a maple bonsai 30 cm high costs approximately 1,900 rubles, and the same plant 65 cm costs 11,900 rubles.

How to transplant a bonsai yourself: a step-by-step guide

Simultaneously with the transplantation of the tree, the soil and the bowl are replaced. Bonsai should be repotted approximately every 1-2 years, as evidenced by its appearance and growth process.

Bonsai Transplant Steps, Beginner's Guide:

Drainage holes should be reinforced;
Carefully clean the roots of the tree from the soil;
Place the bonsai in a new environment and spread the roots;
Cut the roots with scissors about 1/3 or step back from the edge of the bowl by 2 cm;
Place the plant firmly, pressing the soil with your fingers.

Plants under the age of 5 years should be transplanted every year in the spring. The soil is changed every time. First formative pruning of the tree after about 5 years. Bonsai, whose age is from 10 years old, should be transplanted once every 10-15 years.

Bonsai in new soil should not be exposed to bright sunlight for the first two weeks.

How to grow bonsai (video)

Bonsai has gained wide popularity in countries around the world. Needlework lovers could not help but notice such art. Miniature trees are made from various gem stones or beads. The process of making bonsai and stones is quite creative and difficult, requiring care with the use of imagination. Recreating the original in such a performance hides a mystery and a special energy.

The formation of bonsai is an art that originated many centuries ago and came to Europe from Asian countries. Literally, bonsai translates as "bonsai", although connoisseurs prefer to call it "a tree in a pot." Almost any plant can be grown in a container, young trees are cut and shaped so that they do not lose their decorative shape for several decades. Of course, subject to constant and careful care. How to grow bonsai yourself? The easiest way is to purchase an already formed tree in a specialized store and maintain its shape. However, many prefer to start from scratch - acquiring seed material and growing a tree step by step.

Choosing a plant for creating a bonsai

Growing a miniature tree that experienced florists have tirelessly shaped over the years is much easier. But it should be borne in mind that such specimens are not cheap, because before it was put up for sale, it was looked after from 7 to 15 years.

Graceful bonsai - how to grow yourself from a seed? First you need to decide on the type of plant. Beginners are advised to start with trees that grow in their area. So you can be sure that the plant will feel good on an open balcony or veranda, and will not die due to a climate that is very different from its natural habitat. If the bonsai will be grown exclusively indoors, then tropical plants can also be chosen.

One of the important conditions when choosing a plant is its relatively fast growth and medium-sized leaves.

Tree species most suitable for growing outdoors in warm temperate climates:

magnolia,
Apple tree,
maple,
juniper,
pine,
cedar.

Plants suitable for forming bonsai when grown indoors:

olive,
lemon,
laurel,
orange,
a coffee tree.

Choosing a Bonsai Style

To form a beautiful plant, it is recommended to carefully study the styles. There are several traditional and a huge number of derivative styles. Some of them resemble classic trees, but in miniature, others take on a bizarre shape, as if bending under the onslaught of a strong wind. Growing plants on stones imitating rocks has become very popular recently.

How to grow bonsai and what style to choose? Below are the most popular destinations that are easy to follow.

Tekkan. A tree with a straight and even trunk, the branches are arranged harmoniously, often in the shape of a cone. In this design, any coniferous species (spruce, larch) will look good.
Syakan. The tree has a slight slope to one side, as if heeled by the wind. Symbolizes perseverance and resistance.
Bankan. The main feature of the style is that its trunk is strongly twisted and resembles a spring. This shape can be given to most deciduous trees, such as laurel.

Container selection and substrate preparation

A good container should be in harmony with the tree in both color and shape. A prerequisite is the presence of several drainage holes (4-6 pieces), so the plant will feel more comfortable. It is better to give preference to natural ceramics in brown, terracotta or gray. However, it is better to start growing young plants in spacious shipping containers, and when the root system is formed and stronger, it will be possible to plant them in a decorative bonsai tree.

On what substrate and how to grow bonsai? When choosing soil, you do not need to try to find highly nutritious mixtures, they will accelerate the growth of the tree, which will make it difficult for it to gradually and smoothly form. It is better to take garden soil that is neutral in composition and mix it with coarse sand or small river pebbles in equal proportions.

Planting and growing bonsai

First you need to grow a small seedling from the seed, using a regular pot for growing indoor flowers. For at least 2-3 years, the branches and constantly appearing young shoots are regularly pruned. At this stage, it is important to form a strong and healthy trunk, as well as the root system. Only after the diameter of the trunk is equal to 1/6 of the desired height of the tree, you can begin to form the crown.

In order to properly trim the branches, it is recommended to print a picture of the model you like or draw a sketch. All thin shoots must be removed; at the initial stage, work will be carried out with lignified branches that form the basis of the structure. How to grow a beautiful, curved bonsai? The direction of the branches and graceful branching are given with the help of copper wire. The formation of the crown should begin with the lower branches. The wire is securely fixed on the branches, but so that it does not cut too much into the bark, after which it is tied to a support, depending on the required shape. Sometimes weights are tied to the branches to give them the right direction. In this form, the plant should be from two months to six months. The work is considered complete when the tree can hold the required shape without the help of wire.

Young trees at the age of 3-4 years can be transplanted into a special pot (bonsai). As a rule, such a container has a round or oval shape, it is shallow, but wide enough. How to grow a bonsai and transplant it? The transplant procedure is best done in early spring, when the sap flow of most trees is slowed down. So the plant will take root better in a new place. The roots of the tree removed from the container must be carefully trimmed, giving the root system a horizontal appearance. A fine mesh is laid at the bottom of the new container (so that the soil does not wash out), a layer of large drainage (river pebbles, expanded clay) and half or 2/3 fill the pot with the substrate. Next, carefully place the tree, and sprinkle it with the rest of the mixture. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to fix the bonsai in the right position, this is done with a wire. After transplanting, the tree needs to be watered.

Further design of the composition depends only on the imagination of the owner. To create unique landscape designs in miniature, stones imitating boulders or rocks are placed on the surface of the earth, moss is planted. For seascapes, shells will be appropriate.

Features of caring for a bonsai tree

Knowing how to grow bonsai, it remains to provide him with decent care, and then the composition will delight its owner for decades.

In order for the tree to grow healthy and viable, it is necessary to water it moderately, but regularly. Use water for irrigation only freed from chlorine and heated to room temperature. Depending on the type of tree, it should provide the necessary level of lighting. Most often, miniature specimens need sunlight in the first half of the day, so it is better to place them near the windows on the northeast side or move them to another (shaded) place at noon.

Periodically, bonsai must be fertilized, complex mineral compounds can be used as additional nutrition, but the concentration of the finished solution should be reduced by 2 times. And the main thing in caring for a tree is to regularly adjust the crown and pinch young shoots. This will not only help keep the shape, but also make the leaves smaller.