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| Care - Thoughts - Concepts - Terminology - Tips |
Almost Bonsai| Basic Bonsai Care |
| It is common to have some occasional leaf/needle drop
Lightly fertilize with an organic in spring & summer Water thoroughly when the soil appears dry Adequate air movement can help prevent mold/fungus |
| Outdoor Trees |
| Keep outside in full sun as much as possible
For indoor display, cycle trees in & out Protect from extreme temperatures in summer & winter For winter, ideally, trees should be kept at around 35-40F Be careful of excessive dry/wet soil in winter Types: Juniper, Pine, Hinoki, Cedar, Maple |
| Indoor Trees |
| Place trees outside as much as possible in the summer
Bring in trees before temperatures drop to 50F at night Types: Ficus, Fukien, Mandevilla, Hibiscus |
| Ceramic Pot Care |
| Protect from frequent freeze/thaw cycles
which could affect the glazing or crack the pot |
| Almost Bonsai |
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| General Thoughts |
| Bonsai is a cup coffee on a cool summer morning
Slow down, enjoy the details It is a journey measured in years |
| A Garden in Miniature |
| Bonsai is a tree planted in a container
Styled small with the art of absence where less is more |
| The Good, the Bad, the Ugly |
| Tending bonsai should be relaxing, calming, rewarding
Pests, weather, and death are like waves on a beach But sometimes we have to tear it all apart and start over |
| Immersion |
| Bring nature to your patio or porch
Create a miniature forest to get lost in A towering tree that casts long shadows A bonsai is yours to shape and refine through time |
| Almost Bonsai |
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| Concepts |
| Bonsai doesn't have to be complex or intimidating |
| Styles
Traditional styling is setting a formal structure Forcing to tree to conform to the best version of itself Natural styling is enhancing the tree's uniqueness Making smaller changes to bring out its individualism |
| Stages
The beginning stage is Unrefined The tree is wild, full of branches and foliage The longest stage is Development Training the tree into the desired shape The last stage is Refinement No big changes are made |
| Training
Clip and Grow uses directional pruning The tree is formed only as fast as it can regrow Wiring is applied to bend branches Quickly position branches into the desired shape |
| Pruning
Directional pruning can grow a branch at a specific angle Cut back to dormant buds or leaves pointed in a desired direction Profile pruning is cutting back outward wild branches Get the tree back to general form |
| Almost Bonsai |
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| Terminology |
| Nebari
Where the trunk transitions to roots at the soil surface |
| Formal Upright
Classic bonsai, straight trunk, very defined branch structure |
| Semi-Formal Upright
Curved trunk, defined branch structure |
| Cascade
When the tree branches hang over the pot edge, like a waterfall |
| Bunjin / Literati
Skinny artsy tree with little foliage |
| Shari, Jin
Deadwood on the tree |
| Back Budding
New buds on the interior or old wood |
| Ramification
Fine branching, multiple branching |
| Mame
Bonsai under 2-3in tall |
| Shohin
Bonsai under 6in tall |
| Almost Bonsai |
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| Tips & Tricks |
| When to prune
Late spring, early summer can heal wounds quickly Trees can get sunburn too, protect after pruning |
| When to repot
When water pools on the surface, poor drainage Plan for early spring, before the foliage wakes up |
| When to fertilize
Spring into early summer is a generally good time Be careful when measuring dissolvable fertilizers err on the safe side with a half dose or less |
| When to water
Thoroughly water when soil is dry |
| How much light
All of the sun, all of it |
| How big will it get
How high does a ball bounce? It depends... |
| Winter anxiety
Don't fear the winter Be aware of extreme temperatures Protect the tree as best as possible |
| Mr. McWindyFace
Nobody likes being repeatedly hit in the face Wind can cause excessive foliage drying Or even knock your tree off the table |
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