Indoor Bonsai Tree Care For Beginners
Bonsai tree are in vogue these days. However, there is little to no information on indoor bonsai tree care. CityFlowers brings you a handy guide you on bonsai tree care to help the tree stay longer and survive for longer periods.
Usually, people opt for indoor locations for bonsai. However, it is recommended to treat bonsai as the regular large trees that need light, humidity and temperature as much as them. Apart from tropical and subtropical bonsai trees, it is difficult to keep the rest of varieties indoors.
However, the care for bonsai trees needs to be different from traditional trees and potted indoor plants.
Since bonsai trees are planted in a container or a pot, the area from which they can grab nutrients and water from is very limited. And the tropical bonsai trees need high humidity and light hence, it becomes difficult for them to sustain in indoor environments.
Places to keep Bonsai in your Home:
Choose the location of bonsai trees very carefully as it is a crucial survival factor to ensure longevity and life span of the tree. Usually, flats or smaller apartments which are darker, warmer and with Air Conditioners should steer clear from bonsai trees.
Ideal Light and Sun for Bonsai Trees:
Window areas where they can get plenty of Sun and light are the best place to keep bonsai trees. If the weather is cold, keep them outside so that they can get sun. However, during summer, it is better to keep them away from sunlight during afternoons. South-facing places with light and ventilation are good whereas North is too dark for bonsai trees. Ideally, you should be keeping bonsai trees in porches, lobbies and balconies. It is recommended to keep bonsai trees outside once in a while.
Poor light and Sun will decrease the growth of tree and eventually, causing the death of plant. If lighting is going to be a problem indoors, use light diode or fluorescent light for at least 10 hours a day.
Ideal Temperature for Bonsai Trees:
Keep them away from heat sources such as televisions and radiators. They prefer colder climates rather than warm rooms. The radiators, basket of fruits and unnaturally warm climates can be detrimental for the life of bonsai trees.
Ideal Humidity Levels for Bonsai Trees:
Keep bonsai trees in bathroom and kitchen for, bonsai trees love moisture. You can also consider keeping the plant in drip tray to keep the moisture intact for the tree. You can also get mist spray bottle from your online florist shop, MayaFlowers to keep spraying the tree occasionally in between.
If it is humid or hot outside, keep watering them in regular intervals. If you see that soil is showing cracks or feels dry, water it immediately. However, don’t water forcefully or soil can be drained away. Also, soil shouldn’t be totally immersed in the water. Keep repotting the plant to make up for the drained and washed away soil.
Ideal Tree Feed for Bonsai Trees:
Two types of feeds are available in the market, liquid and granular feed. Granular feed is good of larger bonsai trees where as liquid feed is ideal for smaller trees. It is better to consult with florist for the same though.
Pruning the Bonsai Trees:
Pruning maintains the shape and ensures the well-being of the tree. Use scissors to trim the shoots that are weakening the overall balance of the tree. It should be a regular task as it helps the tree to maintain a holistic growth.
Repotting the Bonsai Trees:
Repotting the bonsai trees is an easy task. Once you have done it, they will only need repotting after a few years. Just make sure that there is plenty of soil to cover the roots. If there isn’t, it is an indication that the tree needs repotting.
How to do repotting of Bonsai Trees:
Slowly take the tree out of the pot and trim the roots. Put fresh soil in the container and ease the plant way back in. Level up the soil and tap it firmly. Water the plant to help the soil to settle.
Some popular and easy-on-maintenance bonsai trees you can go for are Ficus Bonsai, Crassula and Sweet Plum. Indoor bonsai trees that are good for beginners are Carmona, Ficus and Chinese elm.
Why temperate or non-tropical bonsai trees can’t survive in indoor environment?
The temperate bonsai trees follow a growth cycle spanning a year. The trees undergo dormancy in winters and prepare for the growth cycle during this, which occurs in spring. To induce dormancy, it is very important for the trees to face low temperature levels and decreased light over the several weeks. And when you keep temperate bonsai trees in the indoor environment, this doesn’t happen, causing the plant to wilt and eventually die.
