Selecting Your First Bonsai

     When selecting your very first bonsai, it is important to take into consideration the level of care that the tree needs to thrive. As a beginner, you will want to select a tree that is simple to care for. One of the easiest types of Bonsai to take care of are Figs (Ficus). They are excellent indoor bonsai, and can be found at most garden centers. Chinese Elms (Ulmus parvifolia) are also fairly easy to raise, but aren't typically stocked at a local garden department. They can be found at bonsai nurseries or online.

Tiger Bark Fig (Ficus retusa or Ficus microcarpa)

     When buying your bonsai, look for evident signs of disease, pest attack, or wire marks (where wire that has been used to shape the bonsai has bitten into the bark). There are many different diseases that can affect a tree. The most obvious signs of disease to look for are wilted or discolored leaves. Common pest infections are easy to spot. Chewed up leaves or actual insects on the tree are typically pretty good indicators of an attack. Aphids are a little harder to spot and a real pain to eradicate. Aphids will look like small green bumps that usually congregate on the tree's new growth. Wire marks will look like something cut into the tree as it was growing. Wire marks can also appear in a spiral running around the trunk or branches. 


Best of luck finding your new bonsai buddy!

Fertilizer Part 2 - When to Fertilize Your Bonsai

     Knowing when to fertilize your bonsai is very important for it to maintain good health. A very basic fertilizing schedule is:


Early Spring - Half Strength
Late Spring and Early Summer - Full Strength
Late Summer and Fall - Half Strength


     During the winter, it is best to give your tree a period of dormancy so that it can rest. You want to give it very little, if any fertilizer. This period of winter dormancy is especially important in more tropical regions that don't experience a true fall.
     This is the most basic fertilizing regimen. Many bonsai growers develop their own fertilizing schedule that differs based on the tree and the climate. Therefore, think of this schedule as a reference as you fertilize, because every tree is different, and you know your tree better than anyone.
     Another important thing to mention is that you should not fertilize a tree after trimming the roots. It can harm the roots, and in turn, the overall health of the tree. You should wait about six weeks before you begin fertilizing a tree that has had its roots trimmed. Roots are typically trimmed when the tree is placed in a new pot, so when buying a bonsai, it is important to ask when it was last re-potted. If the seller doesn't know, which will almost always be the case when you buy a tree from your local garden department, it is probably best to wait the six weeks, because garden center plants are usually placed in the pots that they are sold in right before they are shipped.


Coming on May 31: Selecting Your First Bonsai

Fertilizer - Part 1: Choosing a Fertilizer

     Since bonsai trees are in small pots, it is very important to give them fertilizer because they will use up the nutrients in the small bit of soil that they are in very quickly. Often times, it is hard to find a specialized bonsai fertilizer in your local garden department. When you can't find it locally, you can go online and order it. But if it is time to fertilize your bonsai and you have nothing on hand, an all purpose plant food (10-10-10) will do the trick. 
     When using an all purpose plant food, give the bonsai less than the suggested amount first and see how it reacts. Every tree is different. For instance, I have a very young Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) that I gave just a little bit of all purpose fertilizer, and it had a nice flush of new growth within a week. It is important to remember that an all purpose fertilizer might not work for every tree. It is imperative to do research about your type of tree and find its specific nutrient requirements.
     Another thing to note with an all purpose fertilizer: make sure not to get one with a weed or insect killer added. You can never know how a tree might react to the weed killer. It could damage the tree. If you have moss on the soil of your bonsai, it would most likely kill that too. One reason you don't want a pesticide in your fertilizer is because many species of trees are very sensitive to any type of chemicals. It is better to use an insecticidal soap spray, which, when used correctly, won't harm the tree, to prevent or treat a pest attack. 
     One nice thing about a specialized bonsai fertilizer is that it contains all of the necessary nutrients for a bonsai. Simply follow the instructions on the package.
     With Azalea (Rhododendron) bonsai, you can buy an azalea fertilizer from your local garden department.


Coming May 30: Fertilizer - Part 2: When to Fertilize Your Bonsai

Starting Seeds

Here are the two smallest members of my collection. They are both baby Granny Smith Apple Trees (Malus domestica 'Granny Smith') that are about two weeks old. 

Bonsai from the International Flower and Garden Festival at Disney's Epcot in Florida!