Home Improvement Advice

Home Improvement Advice

A Guide to Bonsai Plant Food

TAGS: None

Bonsai is an ancient Chinese art which originated in China almost 100 years ago, and was later developed by Japanese. This art of growing plants has become popular all over the world, and the term bonsai literally means “tree in a pot”. The bonsai plant gives a great aesthetic effect to any place, and the procedure of dwarfing includes pruning of branches and roots, and wiring the branches and trunks. Several other techniques are used to give it the look of a mature tree.

Bonsai Plant Food Tips

Including plants, all living beings need more than just water to stay alive, and thrive. Bonsai trees are the miniature versions of conventional trees, but they still need some kind of food in order to live and grow. Fertilizers are the common bonsai plant foods, but they also need carbon dioxide, sunlight and water. These combined together are changed into carbohydrate and sugar, and serve as food for bonsai plants. Fertilizers are the bonsai plant foods supplying them significant minerals and vitamins. For various enzyme procedures and cell divisions, fertilizers provide nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous.

Nitrogen is an important ingredient in bonsai plant foods, and is causative for extension of leaves and tree’s green color. Nitrogen also helps bonsai plant in its development, and determines segments growth.

Fertilizer is absorbed through the roots, and this process is called osmosis. The bonsai plant food must be given after dissolving with water, as is capable of moving further within the plant. Major soaking of bonsai plant food is done by the roots, but the fertilizer can be taken through the leaves as well. Some of the most commonly used bonsai plant foods are Hoyoku Premium Bonsai Care System, Mir-Acid Powder, Miracle-Gro Powder, Peter’s Houseplant food, Peters All purpose Plant Food, Schults Acid Plus Plant Food, Schultz All purpose plant good, Fish Emulsion, Osmocote 2 Types, Maxigrow Premium Plant Food, Organica Kelp Plant Booster, Liquid Iron, Rape Seed Cake Fertilizer, Schultz Iron green, Liquid Seaweed and Schultz Blood Meal.

Bonsai plant foods must be given in certain proportions, and over-fertilizing can lead to burning, and many other subtle effects such as overly large leaves, soft turgid leaves, weak stems, low resistance to fungal pathogens, long internodes, low resistance to insect damage, and more attractiveness to certain insects.

You can buy bonsai plants and bonsai plant foods from Internet, but make sure that you buy from the reliable dealer. When choosing the bonsai plant foods, selecting the organic food is a better choice as it releases nitrogen slowly.

Over 50 quality Bonsai articles to help you succeed in your miniature growing.

 

A Guide to Japanese Bonsai Plant

TAGS: None

Bonsai is an ancient Chinese art, but as Japan has adopted many cultural trademarks of China, bonsai has been a one of them. More refinement to the art of bonsai was done once it reached Japan. Over years, the ideals and philosophies of bonsai have greatly changed, and they represent the unison of strong ancient beliefs with Eastern philosophies for Japanese. It is a unique combination of harmony between soul, nature and human beings.

Japanese Bonsai Plant

Over time, bonsai has been used to display different styles, and each varied immensely from one another. Japanese bonsai plant artists introduced other culturally important elements in the bonsais plantings such as supplementary and accent plants, rocks and even little people and buildings, and this is known as bon-kei. Sai-kei is the art of reproducing miniature landscapes in bonsai.

Japanese bonsai plants started becoming famous in the mid-19th century when Japan opened itself to the rest of the world after almost 230 years of global isolation. Paris World Exhibition in 1900 introduced the world to the art of bonsai, and many travelers who visited Japan bought back miniature trees in ceramic containers, making bonsai more popular.

Since then, there has been a phenomenal upsurge in the demand of Japanese bonsai plants, and it is now a widely expanding industry. This art has evolved to reflect the changing times and tastes, with great variety of cultures, countries and conditions.

Japanese bonsai plants are highly regarded as the symbol of their ideals and cultures. Japanese focus on the native species for their bonsai plants- namely azaleas, pines and maples. These are regarded as the traditional bonsai plants, but other countries are more open to opinion.

There has been an amazing evolution of bonsai over past two centuries, and it is now a well respected horticulture artform. It is changing constantly, and the popularity has spread throughout the world.

Juniper is an evergreen Japanese bonsai plant, which is dioecious, and is tolerant of many varieties of soils. There are separate female and male plants. You can buy Japanese bonsai plants and bonsai plant food over internet, but make sure to buy from a reliable vendor. You must also have basic understanding of their needs before owning a Japanese bonsai plant. In addition to fertilizers, bonsai plants also need carbon dioxide, water and sunlight which are changed into carbohydrate and sugar and provide food for the bonsai plants. Bonsai plant food must be able to provide enough minerals and vitamins, and must be given in the fluid form as it is easier to absorb. When buying the food for Japanese bonsai plant, make sure that it has sufficient amounts of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen.

Plenty of great free Bonsai article for your reading pleasure.

A Guide to Indoor Bonsai Plant

TAGS: None

Growing bonsai is a passion for many, and there are few who like to collect these plants from all over the world as a hobby. Most types of bonsai can be easily grown from the seed, and Crape Myrtle and Chinese Elm are good choices for novices. The biggest different between indoor bonsai plants and traditional bonsai is that you can enjoy the beautiful, fully leaved plant in the winter instead of leafless, dormant tree.

Growing Indoor Bonsai Plant

Indoor bonsai plants are cultivated for the indoor environment. As compared to the other house plants, indoor bonsai plants are rooted in the smaller pots, with less amount of soil. This form is well-suited for the drought-resistant species, and as compared to other house plants, indoor bonsai plants require a lot more pruning, both of roots and branches.

Only few specific plants of bonsai are suitable to be grown indoors, and some species are more suitable than other. Member of genus Ficus family are most versatile, and many other succulents can also be grown similarly. Some of the most commonly used indoor bonsai plants are Ficus Benjamina, Ficus nerifilia, Crassula ovate, Schefflera Arboricola, Rhipsalis salicornioides, Schlumbergera, Dracaena marginata and Portulacaria afta. With proper care, Boxwood, Carmona microphylla and Serissa non-tropical plants can also be grown as indoor bonsai plants. Shimpaku, Cherry Blossom, Chinzan Azalea, Barbados Cherry and white Pine are most common Japanese bonsai plants.

Weeping fig is a common indoor bonsai plant, and is one of the rare tropical plant that is considered true bonsai. Most useful fig for bonsai is willow leafed fig, and the tree has good basal rootage, good branch ramification and excellent aerial root formation.

To take care of your indoor bonsai plant, understand and fulfill its water needs. Low humidity and thirst are the most common causes of bonsai death. Understand the soil conditions, and judge when the plant needs water. To ensure healthy humidity, place your bonsai plant on the rocks in the dish full of water.

To take care of your indoor bonsai plant, fertilize the plant once or twice monthly during growth phase and use the water-soluble product. Make sure that the indoor bonsai plant gets enough sun, and it must get 3-4 hours of sunlight everyday. If providing sunlight is a constraint, use the full spectrum florescent bulb from the distance of 18 inches.

Timely pruning is an important aspect of taking care of your indoor bonsai plant. To encourage branch growth, pinch leaves, and get rid of the branches that clutter the design. For indoor bonsai plants, repotting must be done every 2-3 years, and while doing so, trim the root ball to maintain the right balance between the tree and the roots before putting in the fresh soil.

Over 50 quality Bonsai articles to help you succeed in your miniature growing.

 

Where to Buy Bonsai Plants

TAGS: None

Growing bonsai plants is a passion and hobby for many, and well-maintained bonsai trees add a touch of class to any place. It is not a difficult art, but requires determination, patience and enough knowledge of their type and care. They require precise amount of water, a particular type of fertilizer and careful pruning for the desired shape and aesthetic look. Outdoor and indoor bonsai plants have different requirements, hence before you buy bonsai plants, you need to make sure that you have sufficient knowledge regarding their individual needs.

Tips To Buy Bonsai Plants

Bonsai lovers usually collect established trees, and there are few who grow their own bonsai plants. Growing your own bonsai is not expensive, and you can buy bonsai plant seeds from the nursery. Seeing the bonsai plant growing can be a great fun, and final result is the ultimate token of appreciation. Retailers usually make vast profits by selling the bonsai plants. Larger and more-established bonsai plants can cost as much as the second hand car, and these trees are usually 20-100 years old, or even more. The cost of these bonsai plants is justified, as growing these plants is a highly skilled and time consuming job.

When you plan to buy bonsai plant, keep in mind that it is important to buy from a dealer who you can trust. Good bonsai plants are not cheap, as these miniature, living entities demand great amount of care to breed. These days, you can buy bonsai plants from home-care stores or supermarkets. However, it is advisable to seek out a specialized bonsai supplier or the general nursery, dealing only in bonsai. At these places, the staff will have enough knowledge regarding species of the plant and their general care. If the store has the range of related equipment and products for sale, it is usually a reliable supplier of bonsai.

You can also buy bonsai plants, tools, pots, wires and other equipment from internet. As the overheads are less, the prices are usually lower. Bonsai Boy is one famous shop to buy bonsai plants, and it is a highly successful family operated business. They take pride in their each plant, and give special attention to every order. Some sites also offer great discounts, however, you need to ensure that the plant you get is authentic, and in good condition. Before you buy bonsai plants, always check the plant for root rot or damage. You can do this by closely inspecting the leaves, bark and limbs for rips, scratches and breaks. Avoid the plant if you see any slimy area. Poke your finger in the soil, and if the soil feels slimy, there might be a root rot. Under watering can cause the leaves of bonsai to become brown, yellow or crackly, so avoid such plants.

Over 50 quality Bonsai articles to help you succeed in your miniature growing.

A Guide to Bonsai Plant Care

TAGS: None

Plants are a passion and fascination for many, and well-maintained plants bring the touch of class to the homes. There are flowering plants, but even the green leafy ones look very appealing and attractive. Bonsai is a unique ancient art of growing plants in small pots. Bonsai skills need determination, patience, and appropriate know-how regarding fertilizers, water, light requirement and pruning, so that the plants get a genuine aesthetic look.

Bonsai Plant Care Tips

Bonsai is a way to cultivate miniature trees or plants, and make them aesthetically appealing by the means of pruning. Pine is the most typical plant used of Bonsai, but other plants can be used as well. Creating the miniature version of plants does not mean starving them or treating them with cruelty. Bonsai plant care includes providing adequate supply of light, water, air and essential nutrients, and with proper care, bonsai plant can outlive the full grown tree of same species.

Bonsai plant care is little tricky, and most people who are used to growing the more conventional plants find it difficult to differentiate the needs of these unique plants. These extraordinary plants require extraordinary care. Bonsais is a great hobby, as it gives the opportunity to create unique plants by using your creativity, while giving a life to a plant.

Bonsai plant care is not difficult, however these plants have special needs. Hence, you need to be aware of the type of bonsai you have. Different bonsai plants have different requirements, and not all bonsai plants are created equal. Some bonsai plants need to be grown indoors, however most varieties thrive when kept outside. Indoor bonsai plants have different requirements as compared to outdoor types.

One of the basics of bonsai plant care is watering the tree correctly. Wind, heat and sun can dry the bonsai plant to the point of drought easily, and while it is easy for some species to handle some periods of dryness, few require constant moisture for good health. However, allowing the soil to remain soggy or watering too frequently promotes root rot and fungal infections. Use the free draining soil to prevent water-logging. Deciduous trees dehydrate easily and tend to wilt if the soil dries out. Evergreen trees are better able to cope with the dry conditions and do not show the signs till the damage has already occurred.

Another Bonsai plant care tip is to repot and root-prune them at regular intervals, based on the age of the tree. For deciduous trees, it is done when tree is leaving the dormant period, usually around springtime. Bonsais are repotted during development, and not when they become mature.

Bonsai plant care involves using the loose, fast-draining mix of components for the soil, and the base mixture of coarse gravel or sand, expanded shale or fired clay pellets along with organic components such as bark or peat. Bonsai plant care requires use of special tools that are available for their maintenance. Concave cutter is the most common tool which is designed to prune the flush without leaving the stub. Other Bonsai plant care tools include wire pliers, branch bending jacks and shears of different proportions.

There are numerous exotic bonsai plants for sale on internet, and these sites also offer tips regarding their maintenance and daily care. Before you own a bonsai plant, make sure that you have the basic know-how of these plants and their needs.

Over 50 quality Bonsai articles to help you succeed in your miniature growing.

A Guide to Bonsai Plant

TAGS: None

Bonsai is the art of miniaturizing the trees aesthetically, or developing the tree shaped plants in the small containers. The cultivation of bonsai plant includes watering, shaping and repotting in different styles of containers. Bonsai is an ancient Japanese art, and the term has been derived from the Chinese term Penzai. Bonsai can be created from any perennial woody-stemmed shrub species or tree that produces the branches and stays small through pot confinement. Some plants have the special characteristics, making them more popular for bonsai, and such plants give the required compact visual scope of bonsai. Bonsai plants are not used for growing medicines, food or for creating the large landscapes.

Bonsai Techniques

Developing bonsai incorporates various techniques, some of which are unique to bonsai. Leaf trimming is used in the bonsai plants, and it involves selectively removing the leaves or needles from the trunk and branches of the plant. The common technique for bonsai plant is to expose the branches of the tree below the group of pads, or leaves.

Pruning is a common practice in bonsai plants, but it must be done with care. If done incorrectly, pruning can weaken, or even kill the trees. Bonsai plants require careful pruning throughout their lifespan to maintain the basic design, else the growth can become uncontrolled.

Bonsai designer can create the required form of the bonsai plant by wrapping the aluminum or copper wires around bonsai plant branches. Wires hold the branches in place till they convert into wood, or lignify, which usually takes almost 6-9 months. Wires are also used to apply force to each branch by connecting it to any other object. The wires and the pressure must be applied as per the species.

For the species that have stiffer woods, mechanical devices are used to shape the trunks and branches. Screw-based clamps are most commonly used to straighten or bend any part of the bonsai plant, and much greater force can be applied this way. To avoid damage to bonsai plants, tightening is done a little at a time, and changes are made over the period of several months. Short term dwarfing of bonsai plants can be done by partial or total defoliation of the plant during the growth season. But, it must be done on the healthy tree of the suitable species.

Bonsai plant care includes watering, repotting, use of special tools for maintenance, using right soil and fertilization, and keeping them in the suitable location. Most bonsai plants are outdoor by nature and require humidity, temperature, and appropriate sunlight conditions. However, Mediterranean and Tropical species require consistent temperature close to room temperature, along with correct humidity and lighting.

Over 50 quality Bonsai articles to help you succeed in your miniature growing.

 

 

 

 

Antique Bonsai Pots Are Greatly Sought After

TAGS: None

Any bonsai enthusiast will tell you immediately that the bonsai pots just as important as the actual bonsai trees. Part of the allure of the bonsai plant is the perfect bonsai pot that frames and enhances its appeal to bonsai lovers. Bonsai enthusiasts will debate long about what bonsai pots are the best, what shape pots produce the most aesthetically pleasing bonsai trees and the materials of the pots. What stands out about bonsai pots is that it should enhance the looks of the trees and not overpower them. There is literally limitless choice when it comes to finding perfect bonsai pots.

Some people prefer traditional bonsai pots while others are more attracted to modern pots. But above all, antique bonsai pots are the pots that serious bonsai growers look for all the time. Many bonsai owners will go to great lengths to look for antique bonsai pots that will be the perfect home for their prized bonsai trees.

In A Class Of Their Own

What makes antique bonsai pots so sought after? The very fact that these pots have a long history of their own and are usually quite valuable is some of the top reasons. Antiques have value for those who love the classic beauty of these items and the fact that they have been used probably for centuries. Antique bonsai pots would have housed bonsai trees before and it adds value to them for this reason as well. The pots bonsai trees are housed in are chosen with great care. The pots must compliment the shape and colors of the adult bonsai trees and form harmony.

The variety in modern bonsai pots mean they are not difficult to find. When looking for antique bonsai pots things become far more difficult. Antique bonsai pots are not easily found as people that own them are loath to sell them. Even when finding antique bonsai pots. Often the shape will not be right or the colors do not compliment the trees of that specific shaped pots.

The scarcity and difficulty to match antique bonsai pots make the hunt for them even more adventurous. Bonsai enthusiasts will attend auctions over great distances when they know antique bonsai pots will be on offer. These pots usually fetch high prices at auctions and private sales, but this is not a deterrent for the serious bonsai enthusiast. The chance of laying their hands on suitable antique bonsai pots are considered worth any effort.

A great free resource for all your Bonsai information please visit our site.

Finding Ceramic Bonsai Pots

TAGS: None

Bonsai tree pots come in all shapes, sizes, colors and much, much more. The choice is almost endless. For this reason it is important to choose your bonsai pots wisely. Remember that your bonsai is going to live in the pot you pick out. Essentially, that pot is its home for the majority of its life. Would you like to live in a home that doesn’t measure up to your needs, let alone your desires?

Not really, so why would you want to put your bonsai in that position. Bonsai’s take a lot of time, dedication and effort; you don’t want to throw that all away for something silly like the wrong pot. The most popular type of pot for bonsai is ceramic bonsai pots.

Indeed, many plant pots come in ceramic and this is the preference of many gardening and plant enthusiasts. That said, there are a few fundamental features that you need to consider when you are shopping for ceramic bonsai pots.

Finding Features

Ceramic bonsai pots come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, with all sorts of price tags in tow. What you need to do is strike a balance between exorbitant expense and tacky cheap. The best ceramic bonsai pots to choose are those that offer you affordability and value at the same time. The shape and color of your ceramic bonsai pots is entirely up to you. You can research which shapes and colors go best with the type of bonsai you are growing.

Or, you could also simply choose a shape and color that you like best. The best option is to follow expert advice about the shape and color of your ceramic bonsai pots. You want to make sure that it looks the best it can. For that to happen you need the shape and color of the pot to compliment the specific type of bonsai you are growing. If you fancy antiques or traditional rather than contemporary pots, you could choose antique bonsai pots.

These will be more costly, but they are well worth it. Another important factor is size and drainage. You need perfect drainage to prevent root rot and the perfect size to accommodate your bonsai tree. This is only part of the criteria you need to look at when choosing ceramic bonsai pots. Before undertaking the studios task of growing a bonsai, research it thoroughly. It is a lot of hard work but it is well worth it in the end.

Plenty of great free Bonsai article for your reading pleasure.

 

 

Bonsai Training Pots Are Indispensable

TAGS: None

The growing of bonsai trees are not for the impatient. These beautiful miniature trees take years to be formed, shaped and nurtured to full maturity. During the whole process, bonsai trees will spend time in bonsai training pots. It is a part of the process that cannot be skipped. In the initial stages of growing bonsai, the trees will be nursery pots. These are the pots bonsai trees normally are housed in when you purchase them or receive them as gifts.

Most often, the bonsai nursery pots are not too sturdy and made from plastic. This is definitely not the type of pot anyone wants as the final home for their valuable bonsai trees. Bonsai training pots need to be sturdy for this is where the process starts of creating the miniature trees.

During the phase of shaping and pruning, the bonsai training pots will be handled often and keeping the growing trees in flimsy pots are not logical. The two most popular materials for bonsai training pots are ceramic bonsai pots or sturdy plastic pots. It is always advisable for beginner bonsai growers to make use of good plastic bonsai training pots that won’t get damaged easily.

Training Is The Labor Intensive Phase

Bonsai growers that have been in the game for a while usually make sure that they have a good assortment of bonsai training pots on hand. This is handy for when a pot breaks unexpectedly and is used during the normal repotting. This forms part of the 2 year maintenance that is normal repotting times for bonsai. The most important thing about bonsai training pots is that the shape chosen will determine how the miniaturizing of the bonsai will progress.

The shape of bonsai is not chosen when the bonsai is repotted from the bonsai training pots to their final pots. By that time the forming and shaping process has been completed. A lot of work goes on during the training phase and bonsai training pots are seen as the workhorses of bonsai pots. The shaping and pruning is done and the wiring and rewiring.

That is why bonsai training pots do not have to be beautiful works of art. When the bonsai is ready to finally be repotted from the bonsai training pots you can start looking at aesthetics. This is the time bonsai growers start looking for the perfect bonsai pots that will showcase the final product of years of work. This is when color, decoration and type of bonsai pots are decided upon.

Plenty of great free Bonsai article for your reading pleasure.

The Prospect Of Cheap Bonsai Pots

TAGS: None

The art of growing bonsai trees has migrated to the west from the east over the years. Westerners are taking an active interest in growing their own bonsai trees and not just purchasing them from a grower. Growing your own bonsai trees can prove to be very rewarding and even therapeutic, not to mention a great hobby for plant and gardening enthusiasts.

Now, bonsai can prove to be a very costly business if you go in for only the best of the best. Leave that sort of bonsai growing to purists, what you need is access to cheap bonsai pots in order to bring the costs down. Just because something is beautiful and rewarding does not mean that it has to carry a hefty price tag.

Cheap bonsai pots are out there, you just need to search until you find them. Whether you are looking for regular bonsai pots or bonsai training pots, the internet is your greatest ally in finding the right pots for your needs.

Growing On The Cheap

When you are looking for cheap bonsai pots, it is important to look for specific features and criteria. You cannot let yourself be hoodwinked into buying cheap bonsai pots that are worthless to you. Then you may as well just purchase expensive ones that you know will get the job done right. The first thing that you need to look for in cheap bonsai pots is a desirable shape. The shape you want to look for depends on two things. You need to look into what shape of pot will go best with the type of bonsai tree you are going to grow and you need to consider what type of shape you personally prefer.

It is best to get a symmetrical bonsai pot. You can choose from square, oval, round, rectangular and so on. You can get a good idea of what shape pot will go best with the type of bonsai you are growing if you look around. All you need to do is find pictures of the mature bonsai in different shaped pots and pick the one you like best.

The size is also important when browsing through cheap bonsai pots. You need to take into consideration the height of the tree and the growth of the roots. You need only shortlist cheap bonsai pots that are broad and deep enough to support your bonsai tree. Too big and you could overwater your bonsai, too small and it will not be properly supported. The color of the bonsai tree pot should compliment the tree’s colors. Look at the flower colors and the tree trunk colors. Cheap bonsai pots can be just as much of an investment as the expensive ones.

Plenty of great free Bonsai article for your reading pleasure.

© 2009 Home Improvement Advice. All Rights Reserved.

This blog is powered by Wordpress and Magatheme by Bryan Helmig.