800 Flower's Guide for Caring Bonsai Plants

Bonsai is a miniature version of a tree planted in a container. It is a Japanese technique for growing plants in containers. Bonsai plants were mostly used by wealthy Japanese and high-ranking officials to decorate their homes. But nowadays, bonsai has become so popular that the florist Dubai has started selling them in online flower shops. 

Until sometime back, happy birthday flowers and chocolates were gifted to celebrate someone’s birthday. But this is not the case anymore. Indoor plants, especially bonsais, are gifted for birthdays and other special days. 

However, caring for bonsai requires special consideration. Here we will discuss some critical points for taking care of bonsais.

How to take care of the bonsai plant?

Once you purchase a bonsai plant and bring it home, you should first decide where to place it. If it is outdoor bonsai like pine and spruce, you should place them in an area where it gets a lot of sunlight. The balcony and window are good places to keep the plant. The early morning sun is ideal for bonsai. You should bring the plant indoors in the afternoon to avoid the scorching sun. 

For indoor bonsais like jade plants and ficus trees, they should be kept away from direct heat. 

The plant's watering requirement varies depending on the type of soil used, the type of tree, and the pot's size. A general rule is to water the plant when the top layer of the soil dries. If you have more than one bonsais, you should frame a watering schedule depending on the type of plant. 

You should water the plant deeply until water comes out of the drainage hole. You can even place a tray to collect excess water. This ensures proper humidity for the plant. But remember not to overwater the plant as it can cause yellowing of the leaves and branches shrivelling. 

Pruning the bonsai is highly essential to maintain its shape. Tropical trees require more pruning than non-tropical ones. You can use a bonsai clipper instead of scissors for pruning the tree.

There are two types of pruning - maintenance pruning and structural pruning. Maintenance pruning is done in branches, buds and leaves. This helps new growth from underneath. Structural pruning is done when the tree is dormant. A skilled professional normally does this to recover the plant. 

Bonsais require soil with proper drainage. You can add large particles like stones to the soil to improve drainage. To retain moisture, you can add some clay to the soil. 

The plant requires a balanced fertilizer with an equal proportion of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Liquid fertilizers are the best. You should fertilize the plant once a month when the soil is wet. Thus, you should remember to water the plant thoroughly before fertilizing it. 

Bonsais produce a lot of excess roots. If roots are not removed properly, nutrients may not reach every root. You can remove these excess roots through repotting, which helps the plant get more nutrients and grow in small containers. Depending on how fast the plant grows, you can repot a bonsai once in 2-5 years. 

It is always best to repot to a brand new pot. Or else, you should clean the old pot thoroughly before repotting. 

Conclusion

Decorating a home with bonsai and a flower bouquet is a fad nowadays. However, bonsai requires special care as it is a unique way of growing a plant. For beginners, you can go for easy-to-care bonsais like Tahiti bonsai. Once you have mastered the art of bonsai care, you can go for larger plants for home decor.