Many tropical houseplants may be grown indoors as bonsai. Bonsai expert Ann Erb explains that bonsai refers not to a specific kind of plant but to the training process. In fact, any plant with a woody trunk can be trained as a bonsai. By pruning branches and wiring stems, bonsai gardeners train the plant to resemble a tree. Regular pruning and growing bonsai in containers keep the plants small.
Tropical plants such as the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) require warm temperatures year round and make good choices for indoor bonsai training. Many varieties of ficus trees are available. Most require bright light, a source of humidity, fast-draining soil and a constant temperature.
Other good choices include elephant bush (Crassula), a succulent that requires sandy soil and bright light; boxwood, an evergreen shrub that may be grown in full sun or partial shade; and ivy, which prefers bright indirect light, well-drained soil, extra humidity and cool temperatures.
To begin the bonsai process, examine the plant to determine which side best shows off the trunk line and thus should be the front. Mark the position on the pot with a stick. Begin by removing branches. Keep small branches that give the plant the appearance of a small tree.
Pruning stimulates new growth, and as long as your tools are sharp, you can't hurt the plant. Plan to remove about half of the existing foliage. Choose the main trunk line, and remove any branches that conflict with or hide it. Start with large branches and work down to smaller wood. Remove any dead twigs from the interior of the plant.
The trident, or three-toothed, maple (Acer buergerianum ) is an example of an outdoor bonsai. Its massive root structure gives it the appearance of stability, and its crown is in perfect balance with the pot and trunk. That's the sort of look you want to achieve in miniature with a small indoor bonsai tree.
The branches of older trees have a horizontal shape. You can train young trees' branches to look similar by wiring them into place. You should also remove any foliage near the main trunk to make your bonsai look more like a mature tree.
Back to our little demonstration ficus tree. Once you have the basic frame of the tree shaped by pruning, you can make the trunk appear larger in proportion by reducing the overall height.
Leave room between the branches and the wire for the trunk to expand in girth. Gently bend the branches to a 90-degree angle from the trunk. Be careful not to break the branches when bending them. Start out with a dry tree: they are more flexible. Experience will give you a feel for how much you can bend each variety of tree. The more wire you put on the tree, the closer you will come to the finished shape.
Wide spreading branches are the natural shape of ficus trees in nature.
Growing conditions for indoor bonsai are the same as for any other houseplant.
- Light: The more light the tree receives, the smaller the leaves will be.
- Moisture: Water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch. Mist frequently.
- Temperature: Average household temperatures are fine. Cooler temperatures will result in slower growth.
- Soil: Use coarse soil specifically made for bonsai.
- Fertilizer: use a general-purpose fertilizer at 1/4 strength once a week.
Repotting
Remove the pruned tree from the pot.
Since we removed about one-half of the foliage with pruning our tree, we can remove the same amount of root without any adverse effects to the tree.
Trim the roots so they fit into the new container. Choose a flat container with drainage holes, designed specially for bonsai. Plants must have drainage: the most common cause of death is overwatering. Without adequate drainage, the roots will rot and the plant will die. Fill the bonsai-formulated soil in around the roots. Use a chopstick to push the soil firmly around the roots so there are no air pockets in the soil. Water after the soil has been firmly packed into the container. Use a watering can and add water from the top of the soil until it runs freely out the drainage holes.
Tip: - Until you're really hooked on bonsai, use your regular garden tools for bonsai projects, because a collection of bonsai tools can be quite expensive (figure A).
RESOURCES :
The American Bonsai Society
Kimura Bonsai and Landscape Nursery
DK Publishing - Main Office
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
Dallas Bonsai Garden
Bonsai by the Monastery
101 Essential Tips: Bonsai
Model: 0789410753
Author: Harry Tomlinson
(November, 1996)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
DK Publishing - Main Office
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
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