The art of bonsai started over 900 years ago in China as a hobby for the Royal Family members. Shared with the Western World during the first World War, it was introduced to New Zealand in the last 100 years and has become a popular hobby for plant lovers. Translating to “tree in shallow container” bonsai are grown in pots or small containers and are trained to produce a desired shape through ‘pruning and pinching’. Since your bonsai is a living miniature tree it will only get more beautiful as it matures, just as regular sized trees do. With the right care, your plant will go on to remain healthy, beautiful and of course, miniature for many years to come. Here are our top tips for growing bonsai:
Bonsai Placement
Bonsai thrive outdoors the vast majority of the year. During winter, when nightly lows drop below 5 degrees, it’s time to bring them indoors. Your bonsai loves the morning sun, so it’s best to position the bonsai where it can soak up that morning sun and relax in afternoon shade. When indoors, it’s best to placed on a window sill where it will get enough sunlight to keep healthy.
Watering Bonsai
Watering is the most crucial step to keeping it healthy and happy for years. The soil should never become completely dry so depending on its sun exposure, it may need daily watering. However, this may vary depending on the size of the pot, type of soil and type you own. We recommend using a moisture meter at the beginning to help you discover how much water your plant needs. Also, our knowledgeable staff members at Palmers are there to answer any questions you have.
Fertilising Bonsai
Since your bonsai is growing in such a small amount of soil it is necessary to replenish the soil’s supply of nutrients from time to time. Any general-purpose liquid fertiliser will be perfect, we recommend the Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food from Yates. However because of their miniature size, we suggest that fertilisers should be used at half their recommended strength. Apply your fertiliser at least once a month except during winter.
Pest and Disease Control
Keep in mind that your bonsai is a tree at the end of the day, just in miniature form, so it can be treated for insects and diseases the same as any other tree. However, as with the fertiliser, dilute the strength of any pest or disease control product you use so as to not overwhelm your plant.
So when it comes to growing bonsai, keep the soil from getting dry, keep them out of freezing temperatures, and feed them monthly.
