A Beginner-Friendly Guide To The Art of Bonsai

If you're new to the art of bonsai, researching where to start can often feel overwhelming. Luckily for you, you found our beginner-friendly guide! This introduction to the art of bonsai has everything you'll need to get started with confidence, including a quick outline of the craft, some great beginner tree recommendations, a supply list, and basic tree care tips to kickstart your bonsai journey!  

A Quick Introduction to the Art of Bonsai

Though the word "bonsai" is Japanese, the art form itself actually has its origins in an ancient Chinese horticultural practice called "penjing." Over time, this Chinese practice of growing miniature trees, plants, and landscapes eventually made its way to Japan, where it was adapted using Japanese Zen Buddhism principles. In Japanese, the word "bonsai" is made up of two kanji characters: "bon," meaning "basin" or "tray," and "sai," meaning "planting." Taken together, the word bonsai literally translates to "planted in a basin or tray." The main purpose or goal of growing a bonsai tree is to convey a message of balance, simplicity, and harmony. More than just a horticultural pursuit, the art of bonsai is also a spiritual practice that encourages growers to contemplate and connect with the natural world.

Which Trees are Best for Bonsai Beginners?

Ficus bonsai, specifically ficus retusa or ficus ginseng, make for some of the best starter trees for bonsai beginners, mainly because they're relatively low-maintenance and can withstand lower humidity levels and infrequent watering schedules. Their supple branches are also malleable and easy to shape, making them perfect for those who still need to hone their finesse.The Chinese elm bonsai is another great beginner-friendly tree for gardeners who want to teach themselves bonsai pruning and maintenance. Because the trunk's shape is already set, gardeners are free to focus more on pruning and shaping the tree's secondary branches and promoting different growth or "pad" layers within the foliage.

Bonsai Supply Essentials

Now that you've found your perfect beginner-friendly tree, you just need a few more supplies before you're ready to start growing. Here are a few essentials you'll want to pick up before planting your bonsai:Soil: Your bonsai tree won't last long in regular garden soil, so you'll want to find a bonsai-friendly soil mix to keep it happy. These mixes typically consist of a blend of lava rock, pumice, fine gravel or grit, organic potting compost, and akadama, a hard-baked Japanese clay made specifically for bonsai growing. Different trees will require different soil mixes, so it's important to do your research to make sure you have the right potting medium for your tree.Container: Harmony is key in bonsai design, so picking a container that matches the shape and flow of your tree is essential. When selecting a pot for your bonsai tree, it's important to consider whether the plant has masculine or feminine characteristics. For example, a feminine tree will have elegant curves and thin branches, and so will fit nicely within a daintier container. On the other hand, a masculine tree will have a thicker trunk and stronger, more powerful branches, and so will fit better in something a bit bulkier and more rugged. Also, bonsai trees with straight trunks tend to look better in rectangular pots, while those with curved trunks often look better in an oval or rounded container. Pruners: While you might already have a set of pruners for your houseplants or garden, many bonsai growers will invest in smaller shears designed specifically for bonsai work. We recommend concave cutters in particular, as they aren't as likely to leave behind visible scarring on the tree.Wire: If you're wanting to bend and shape your bonsai tree's branches into intricate designs and patterns, you'll want to pick up some anodized aluminum or annealed copper wire, depending on your type of tree. While aluminum wire works better with deciduous trees, copper is better for pines and conifers. Aluminum wire is cheaper and easier to work with, however, and so we recommend it for all beginners.

Helpful Bonsai Care Tips

Because bonsai trees are so different from your other houseplants, here are a few special bonsai care tips to keep in mind:

• Pruning the Roots:  Just like its branches and leaves, a bonsai tree's roots also need to be pruned to prevent them from constricting each other and suffocating the plant. We recommend checking your bonsai's root system at least once a year to make sure it's not getting too crowded.
• Watering and Fertilizing: Because bonsai trees grow in shallow pots, there is less space for nutrient and water reserves. As a result, you'll need to water and fertilize your bonsai tree more frequently than your other houseplants, at least once a week during the growing season.
• Indoor vs. Outdoor: Because bonsai trees adore sunlight, we recommend putting them on or near a south-facing window where they can reliably get 5-6 hours of sunlight each day.

For many, the art of bonsai is a source of tranquility, relaxation, and introspection. Now that you understand the basics, you're ready to embark on your own bonsai-growing quest for inner peace! If you're looking for bonsai trees for sale in Northwest Arkansas, or you still need a bit of help getting started, come visit us at Westwood Gardens today; we'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction!