Bonsai Tree Help and Advice
Learn how to maintain and grow your bonsai trees

There are many different types of Bonsai tree styles or bonsai designs that can be found to grace an area in any home or outdoor garden. Bonsai tree styles are all unique and each one contains an artistic intention that creates the Bonsai design, giving it a personal touch or feeling. Through years of practicing the techniques and experimenting to come up with new styles of Bonsai trees, a few different styles have been created. Today, there are several well-known styles of Bonsai trees that different Bonsai artists will adopt.

This is a brief informal guide of the 100’s of recognized bonsai styles and their Japanese names. Print this page out and use it as a reference when shopping for your own bonsai tree.

1. 

   Formal Upright Chokkan

   Formal Upright / Chokkan
   The Formal Upright / Chokkan Bonsai is the first of seven of the most well-known Bonsai tree styles that follows the perfect ideal of an upright tree where the trunk is straight and gently tapered to the top, and the branches and leaves tend to be well balanced over the trunk.
2. Informal Upright / Moyogi
   The Informal Upright / Moyogi is similar to the first Bonsai tree style, but differs by having a slight curve in the trunk. Even with the slight curve in the trunk, this particular Bonsai design still requires that there be a balance with the trunk and branches of the tree.
3. Slanting or leaning / Shakkan
   The Slanting or Leaning / Shakkan is a Bonsai tree style where the tree will sit at a slant, or where the trunk will lean to one side.
4. Cascade / Kengai
   The Cascade / Kengai Bonsai tree style is where the tree appears to be over water or on the side of a mountain. A perfect Cascade / Kengai Bonsai will have a trunk that turns downward, falling below the pot that it is in. The branches and foliage will then flow with the downward angle of the trunk. In an imperfect or semi-Cascade, the tree will only reach just below the edge of the pot.
5. Raft / Ikadabuki
   The Raft / Ikadabukit tree is one that will be formed to appear as a tree would that had fallen in the forest without breaking at the trunk. When done right, this style of Bonsai will often appear as if there is more than one tree, but it is really a tree that has branches growing from its side.
6. Windswept / Fukinagashi
   The Windswept / Fukinagashi tree will be styled in such a way that it will appear it has been bent in the direction of the prevailing winds, such as would happen with trees near the ocean or on the prairie.
7. Literati / Bunjin
   The Literati / Bunjin style has a trunk that is mostly bare and contorted in an artistic way. The number of branches the tree has is minimal and are found higher up on the trunk of the tree. This Bonsai design is based on the suggestion or idea that the tree is found in a harsh climate where it has to struggle to survive.

Bonsai tree growing is a specialized form of art that was developed in Japan over many centuries and has evolved into a hobby that can bring great creative pleasure to many people around the world. One of the most interesting things about Bonsai tree growing is that the individual has a chance to shape the tree to make it look as if it is growing in nature and has been naturally shaped by the elements. This idea or art form challenges an individual because besides the work and care you need to put into the tree, you need to also put a bit of your artistic self into it.

From the very beginning a first time indoor Bonsai tree grower may find it inevitable that they experience one or more failures. The challenge, of course, is to try and try again. Once you find a tree that is thriving, you need to apply the knowledge that you learned by working with your Bonsai tree growing plan. Indoor Bonsai trees need to be re-potted on a one to three year basis, depending on growth of the tree. This is important in helping to maintain the Bonsai tree root system. The ball root system of the tree must never completely dry up. This, in itself, can be a challenge to people who are not normally plant enthusiasts. Over time, as your indoor Bonsai tree grows you will need to learn how to properly prune roots and branches.

You will also need to learn different techniques to change the direction of the trunk and branches, and shaping the growing Bonsai tree into your special work of art. Applying the right fertilizer to the soil at the right time is necessary for optimal nutrition during growth and patience is needed to let every tree go through a period of dormancy, which is nature’s rest period. This can be difficult for some people who find waiting an unpleasant experience. Another challenge that may be encountered by the indoor Bonsai tree grower is having an indoor environment that has enough humidity for your Bonsai. One can go all out and purchase all the equipment found at professional nurseries, which will no doubt be a challenge to anyone’s wallet, but here are other ways for the new enthusiast to meet this challenge. For instance, a solution might be to put your indoor Bonsai tree and pot in a larger tray that has a level of water and rocks in it. This helps increase humidity for the plant.

Other options might be to keep your indoor Bonsai tree away from heat registers and air conditioners that dry the air. The challenges of growing an indoor Bonsai tree are many and varied, but like all Bonsai tree growing the effort is well worth the enjoyment and satisfaction.

Bonsai trees, generally speaking, are not house plants; they are real trees that can live outdoors, it is just that they have been grown into miniatures. Growing outdoor Bonsai trees is not a problem. They look wonderful on decks and patios and can dress up a garden very nicely. As with all trees there are two different kinds; deciduous and coniferous. Deciduous have leaves that will change color in the fall and fall off. Coniferous trees are of the evergreen type and will keep their needles or leaves throughout the year.

With careful planning, you can have outdoor Bonsai trees blooming throughout your yard during the summer that will display colorful foliage in the fall. The evergreens, of course, will continue to add their color to the yard throughout the year. As with planting all trees, it is important that you purchase trees that will thrive well in the environment that you will be planting them in. Now, most outdoor Bonsai trees that are purchased have already been shaped so growing outdoor Bonsai trees is more about maintenance. You might think that outdoor Bonsai trees would not require as much maintenance, but this is not true. Growing outdoor Bonsai trees need to be watered like the indoor Bonsai trees do. The soil should never be allowed to completely dry out; instead, it needs to be kept moist.

Rain water is fine for the outdoor Bonsai tree, but you should always check the soil for moisture content as rain showers by themselves might not provide enough water, or they might flood the tree out.

It will be necessary to fertilize your outdoor Bonsai tree to make sure that the nutrients the tree needs are replenished. Some fertilizers need only be used at half strength once a month, but not during the outdoor Bonsai trees dormant period in the winter. When growing your outdoor Bonsai tree you will occasionally need to prune or trim back new growth to keep the lines of your tree within its design parameters. It is important when trimming to never take away all the new growth. Depending on what kind of outdoor Bonsai tree you are growing, you will also need to re-pot your tree in order to give it new soil and room to grow. This happens when the root system fills the pot.

Deciduous trees are, on average, done every two to three years as they are faster growers then evergreens, re-potted approximately every four to five years. You will need to check on this, however, since every growing outdoor Bonsai tree is an individual and its growth rate cannot always be measured by averages. When re-potting the outside layer of the roots (the bottom fourth) are removed. Once this is done, a thin layer of gravel has to be put in the bottom of the pot to help with drainage. New soil is put on top of that layer and pressed down just enough to leave out any air pockets.

The last issue when growing outdoor Bonsai trees is to make sure they are properly prepared for their dormancy during the winter months. Some trees can be put in the ground and will survive the winter season if properly mulched. Many outdoor Bonsai tree owners find putting their tree in an unheated garage works well for them. This is not to say that the Bonsai can be ignored during its dormant period as the tree will need to be watered about every two weeks.

Growing a Bonsai tree from a seed can be a very satisfying and rewarding experience. There are two ways that you might prepare a bonsai tree seed for germination. One way is to plant your bonsai tree seed or seeds in your garden with the arrival of early spring. When the weather begins to warm the soil, the seed gradually warms with it and it will germinate. It is important that you water your seed, making sure to keep the soil damp at all times. It is extremely important that you never let the soil dry out. Keeping the soil from drying out or becoming too wet can be difficult to manage, so it might be to your advantage to purchase a moisture gauge. This little item will help you to measure the content or amount of water in the soil, which can make it easier for you because you will not have to guess whether or not you should water again. Another way to prepare a bonsai tree seed is to do it artificially by putting the seed in a pot and placing the whole thing in a cold refrigerator.

This process is called “cold stratification”.

At this point, you might be wondering where you can purchase a bonsai seed. If you really want to start a Bonsai tree from a seed, there are many stores that will sell bonsai tree seed, they can be ordered through horticultural stores or they can be ordered and purchases online. It should be noted, however, that while many bonsai trees are started by seeds many are also started by cuttings, or by finding a tree that you like, digging it up and using it for your own. As for seeds, pine seeds are most commonly used.

When planning to grow a Bonsai tree from a seed, the best way to go about it is to purchase a bonsai tree starter kit. These starter kits will come in two types of kits. The first one contains a tree that is already three to four years old. The bonsai tree starter kit contains all the things you need to get started, such as ceramic container, the appropriate soil for your individual tree, drainage cover holes, instructions, humidity tray, textured rock and annealed copper wire that are used to form your tree. The other type of bonsai tree starter kit is a seed kit. These ones are often quite inexpensive and will, on average, give you seeds for three to eight saplings. Sometimes you can order kits with different varieties of seeds. Now, the bonsai tree seed kits can differ, so shopping around is usually a good idea. The bonsai tree starter kit also comes with the proper growing medium that your bonsai tree seed will need for a healthy start. You will also receive several terracotta or organic seed pots, a propagating cover and instructions for the growth of your bonsai tree from seed to mature bonsai tree.

Bonsai tree maintenance is not difficult, but it can be time consuming. If you have never owned a Bonsai tree before it will be helpful to establish a routine for caring for your special tree. The thought of watering a tree sounds simple, but it is one of the most common problems people have who are growing a Bonsai tree for the first time. With Bonsai tree maintenance it is very important not to over-water your tree, which results in drowning, root rot and the promotion of fungus growth.

The other extreme is under-watering your tree, which sends it into a drought. Bonsai tree expansion depends on a soil that will hold moisture but will also drain well. The root ball should never be allowed to completely dry out. On average, Bonsai tree expansion requires watering once a week until fall when the tree enters dormancy, and then should only be watered once every two weeks. Both indoor and outdoor Bonsai tree maintenance can benefit from a water gauge that will help you measure the water content in the soil so that you can be sure to water the tree whenever it needs it. Good Bonsai tree maintenance will also mean that the soil is fertilized on occasion to ensure that the tree is receiving all the nutrients and vitamins it needs, to help with Bonsai tree expansion.

There are a variety of fertilizers on the market to choose from, such as liquid, dry, organic and chemical fertilizers. Whichever one you choose in the end, it needs to be the right type of fertilizer that is right for your type of tree. Generally, Bonsai trees do not need to be fertilized more than once a month, with the exception of their dormant period where you will not need to fertilize it at all. Many people starting out prefer to use a liquid fertilizer because it can be easily mixed with water that makes it easier to apply. Some fertilizers only need to be used at half strength to maintain healthy Bonsai tree expansion. Whatever is used, it needs to be well distributed throughout the soil. Over time with Bonsai tree expansion the Bonsai tree will need to be re-potted. The time for this is when the dense root system has filled the pot. Re-potting is often done in the spring when the dormant period of the tree has ended, particularly with deciduous trees.

As the tree matures, re-potting becomes less frequent. It is important to remember that re-potting or transplanting a tree is not natural and can be quite stressful for your tree. When choosing a pot for proper Bonsai tree maintenance, the pot must not be too small or too large. A pot is usually measured according to the proportions of the tree, meaning that the pot should only be as wide by two thirds by two thirds of the height of the tree. Also, the pot should only be approximately half as deep as the tree’s height.

Bonsai tree tools can be bought individually or in sets. If you wish to purchase a set and have all tools at hand, you will most often have a rake with a spatula, small, medium and large shears, a wire cutter, knob cutter, leaf trimmer and a root brush. It should be noted that when first starting out, you will not need the entire set of tools. A set of gardening scissors, called a secateur, will work well.

You might be wondering why it is necessary to prune a Bonsai tree. There are two reasons for pruning; the first is to trim the roots and the second is to trim the branches and foliage. It is very important to ensure that you are using the right Bonsai tree tools for the job. Taking away branches and foliage that the tree doesn’t really need, it means that the root system of the Bonsai tree does not have to work as hard, or be as large, to support the top of the Bonsai tree. Pruning of the roots of the Bonsai tree goes hand in hand with re-potting your tree. Normally for the first five years of average tree growth, you will need to prune the roots and re-pot once a year, but this may vary with different species of Bonsai trees. Once the tree has been removed from the pot, about one fourth to one third of the new roots are trimmed off.

Once the roots have been trimmed, a new layer of gravel is put into the pot and then soil is lightly packed in around the roots. It is very important to make sure that there are no air pockets left in the soil when doing this. When it comes to pruning the top of the tree, you need to keep in mind the three different reasons for upper Bonsai tree pruning. First, you remove any branches that are not going to fit with the basic Bonsai tree design you have chosen. The second is to balance your tree and direct its growth. When Bonsai tree pruning the growth of the tree takes place in the area that is not pruned as often, and the third is leaf pruning and bud pinching, which are meant to help encourage fine branching. In Bonsai tree pruning, the branches that are most frequently pruned are those that cross, branches that turn back to the trunk and branches that are pointing directly down or growing off of other branches.

Once you have started your Bonsai tree pruning, it does not have to be completed in one day. Take your time. Sit back and look at your tree from an artistic point of view. Don’t be afraid to use some pictures for reference or to get some new ideas. You can easily take anywhere from several days to a few weeks to fully prune the way you want. Once your tree has reached the desired height, you use secateurs to cut off the top of the Bonsai tree. This Bonsai tree pruning makes the tree fuller and also prevents it from growing any taller.

Regardless of what you start out with or what you eventually need, all Bonsai tree tools can be purchased easily from most horticultural stores from your area or online.

Once you have decided that a Bonsai tree is for you, there are a few considerations to think about before making the purchase and commitment. You need to decide if the tree is going to be in the out of doors or if it will be part of your indoor space, as well as what kind of Bonsai tree you want. These considerations are important because new Bonsai tree care will be different depending on the type of tree you buy, and where it will be living. When buying a Bonsai tree it is also important to understand that what you are buying is not a house plant but a tree that will require a dormant period each year, as well as regular pruning.

All new Bonsai tree care requires routine maintenance that pays particular attention to detail. This is one of the reasons that the new Bonsai tree care person must have done some solid planning ahead of time and is committed to patience. New Bonsai tree care is constant and very time consuming. Learn more…

Giving a Bonsai tree gift can be a great idea, but it depends on the circumstances and who you are buying the Bonsai tree for. For people who show an interest and are always bringing the subject up, the gift giving idea could be perfect.

Before you purchase the first bonsai, you should find out if the person who is interested really wants to grow and train their own tree, or maintain a tree that is already developed. You will also need to know if they want an inside tree or want an outdoor Bonsai tree.

If they want to grow their own tree, then the Bonsai tree gift might be best if given in the form of a Bonsai starter kit from seed or from a young tree. There are many gift giving ideas for Bonsai starter kits. These come in nice gift containers supplying everything that a person will need to get started.
Learn more…

Anyone thinking about going to purchase a Bonsai tree for the first time would be well advised to do some research on the subject first. There are numerous books that can be found in libraries, Bonsai tree stores and horticultural centers that can inform you about the different styles you can choose from, how to start Bonsai trees and how to form them in the style of your choice. One of the many places to do research on Bonsai trees, as well as helping you find out where to buy bonsai trees, is on the internet. There are literally thousands of listings on the subject matter of Bonsai trees from all over the world.

The web is filled with Bonsai tree history, interactive libraries, Bonsai tree videos that help show you step by step care and how to create bonsai trees for the beginner right up to those who are considered well practiced. Other valuable sources of information found on the web are Bonsai tree forums and Bonsai tree communities. These sites are filled with everyday people who are passionate about the subject of Bonsai trees who are willing to share their personal experiences, successes and failures with other Bonsai trees lovers. Learn more…

We are going to show you how to pick, grow and take care of your bonsai tree as well as introduce you to the world of Bonsai.