Bonsai Basics

Presented by Matt Harhager from The Bonsai Den

What is a Bonsai?• Bonsai Video • Bonsai

– Bon – Tree

– Sai - Pot

Topics• Styles

• Types– Tropical– Evergreen– Deciduous

• Choosing a pot

• Potting

• Soil

• Wiring

• Watering

• Fertilizer

Bonsai Styles• Formal Upright• Informal Upright• Broom• Slanting• Semi Cascade• Cascade• Clump• Forest• Literati• Root over rock

Formal Upright• The trunk is ramrod straight and evenly tapered.

Informal Upright• Gently curving trunk.

Broom• The most tree like style.• Branches fanning out from the top of a straight

trunk.

Slanting• The whole trunk leans at a definite angle.

Semi Cascade• The lowest branch dips below the rim of the pot.

Cascade• Tree foliage must fall below the base of the pot.

Clump• All the trunks are connected at the soil level

Forest

Literati / Bunjin

Root over rock• A style of river bank or rocky slope origin.

Windswept• One of the hardest styles to create successfully.

Root on rock• The rock becomes the pot.

Types - Tropical• Should be brought indoors when nighttime

temperatures fall below 50 degrees F.• Place under good lighting.

Types – Evergreen, Deciduous• Need to be protected in the winter.• Keep in a greenhouse or garage.• Never bring them indoors for the winter.

Soil• Should hold

water but have good drainage– Haydite– Silica Sand– Charcoal– Orchid Bark

• Never allow the soil to become compacted

Preparing the tree• Remove the tree from

it’s nursery container or other pot

• Untangle the roots• Loosen the roots• Remove any long

roots • The goal is fine feeder

roots, these do all the work.

Preparing the pot• Secure screen over

the drainage holes using wire

• Put wire through the pot, to be used to secure the tree

• Add soil, making a small mound in the center of the pot

Potting the tree• Twist the tree and

move it around to get all air pockets from under the tree out

• Wire the tree to the pot

• Fill up with soil• Use chopsticks to seat

the soil around the roots

Types of Pots

Some pot guidelines• Slender trunks and group plantings look best in

shallow pots. Thick trunks need deeper pots.• Graceful trees look best in oval or soft cornered

pots• Trees with gnarled trunks look best in rectangle

pots• Wide spreading trees go good with pots that have a

lip • Tall slender trees, use a simple round pot• The pot should be slightly narrower than the tree

spread.• Trees with delicate foliage look good in pastel

glazes.• Dark leaved trees can use a darker color pot.

Tools and Techniques for styling

• Wiring• Pinching• Trimming• Bud removal• Clip and grow

Wiring Techniques• Wiring should be applied at a 45 degree angle.• Make sure the wire is anchored properly.• Use one wire to do two branches.• Remove wire before it starts to bite into the bark of

the tree.

Lighting• To much shade and the leaves will grow large and

internodes will increase.

• Too much sun and the leaf tips will turn brown and die off.

• Every plant has different lighting requirements.

• See bonsai tree care @www.thebonsaiden.com for more info.

Watering

• Use a very fine spray, don’t blast the tree with the end of the garden hose.

• If the soil is damp about an inch down, then it’s time to water.

• The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely

• Rainwater is best

Fertilizer• Fertilizer cakes are the best way to fertilize your

bonsai.• Use a good balanced fertilizer at half strength

every other week.

Pest and disease control• Use neem oil or sevin at half strength• Common pests and diseases

– Beetles– Scale– Aphids

Contact Info• East Canton Ohio• Phone: 330 445-9206• Internet: http://www.thebonsaiden.com

Now we will do some work on a Green Island Ficus

RepotWireTrim

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