Bonsai which plants are suitable. Bonsai in the apartment. Appearance of the plant

Bonsai This is the Japanese art of growing plants in small containers for contemplation and aesthetic pleasure. It is the art of creating intricate plant shapes that serves a completely different purpose than growing plants for practical use. The Japanese word "bonsai" translates to "tray-growing or tree-in-a-tray."

In the West, it is referred to as a term for all miniature trees grown in containers or pots. The word "bonsai" is usually associated with a type of bonsai tree, although it is not a specific type of tree, but the art of growing different types of it.

Bonsai is a tree in miniature, repeating all the characteristics of a large normal tree. Bonsai also has several styles, each of which characterizes the appearance of the plant being grown. It is certainly very interesting, and if you are interested in learning more about the art of bonsai and even making it a hobby, you will immediately wonder where to start. So, let's start with the basics.

1. It should be noted that some of these trees are intended for indoor use, while others are intended for outdoor use. Before choosing the plant you want to grow, make sure you choose the right type, indoor or outdoor.

2.Next, find a suitable location for your bonsai tree. An outdoor bonsai will be a beautiful sight on your patio, porch or terrace during the summer. You can keep them in containers or pots. In any case, the dishes in which the bonsai will be placed should not be bright or pretentious. There should be exquisite simplicity here. All attention should be directed to the tree itself. There are 2 types of outdoor bonsai evergreens, usually pine trees, and deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall, such as elms.

3.Before choosing a tree type, consider the climate where you live. You will want to grow a bonsai tree that can bear fruit. It's so adorable to have real fruit hanging from a miniature tree, an exact replica of a real fruit tree, and they're even edible. However, you should remember that if you live where Cold winter, miniature citrus trees lemons or limes do not grow because they need large quantities sunlight and higher temperatures. Conversely, some types of apple and cherry trees require a longer period of low temperatures.

4.You may also be wondering how to actually purchase a bonsai tree that you will care for? You can go two ways:

Use existing trees (by reducing the crown and certain techniques adopted in the art of bonsai). You can choose something in nature small tree, which, having withstood weather adversity, on poor soil, perhaps among rocks and stones, grows and survives. The Japanese prefer to choose coniferous trees or those with small leaves that can withstand pruning well and tolerate trunk deformation.

Start with the development of a tree from a seed. So, when you have decided which tree you are taking as a basis, start with the usual manipulations: inspecting the roots, planting, pruning the crown, roots and watering the miniature tree. When the tree has superficial roots, it is necessary to replant plants.

If you're just starting out in this art, a great place to start might be a ficus, like the dwarf ficus, with small ficus leaves, and milky ficus sap. The ficus is a smaller version of the banyan tree that grows in the tropics, so your ficus tree will look quite exotic .

Designed for indoor growing all year round.
The soil should dry out between waterings, but do not let it remain dry for a long period. This way the plant gets enough moisture and the roots do not rot.

Replant in early spring, no more than once every two years.
After planting, it is recommended to keep the ficus in the shade for several weeks to strengthen root system.
IN winter time ficus should be placed in a sunny place where the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees.
Besides the ficus tree, what kind of trees can you choose? Well, you can use growing bamboo or wicker monkey tree, which is considered, by the way, a symbol of good luck. Exceptional bonsai plant can be grown using the indoor plant Crassula. People call this plant money tree. This plant has a thick trunk and green elliptical leaves. Your choices are truly limitless...

Bonsai is truly an art of interaction between nature and human skill. Learn to understand it as living and realize yourself as part of the Universe. It takes patience and care to see how your plant turns from simple tree into a real bonsai.

Ancient Buddhists believed that the soul experiences a rebirth after death, and there is no worse fate for a person than to be reborn into a bonsai tree. Indeed, during the process of its growth, the branches of the tree are twisted and the roots are pruned to achieve the ideal shape of the plant. However, it was the followers of Buddhism who had a hand in the mass dissemination of the art of miniature trees.

Growing bonsai, according to the ideas of Buddhist monks, equated man with God, since the earthly world is the garden of Buddha, and he is the great gardener in it.

Excursion into history

The first bonsai appeared in ancient China back in the 8th century. There is a legend according to which one of the emperors ancient dynasty Khan decided to see his empire in miniature and ordered the creation of an exact copy of all its corners, and this is how the first dwarf trees appeared.

But miniature copies of trees are associated more with Japanese culture, for which they have become an integral part. The art of Bonsai brought to the country rising sun Buddhist monks, organically fit into Japanese traditions, since the original beliefs of the Japanese were based on the worship of natural objects - plants, stones, water. Nature, according to the Japanese, personified the divine essence. Having adopted Buddhism as an official religion, the Japanese people also adopted the idea of ​​the sacredness of the Bodhi tree, under whose branches Buddha achieved enlightenment and which, in a sense, is the prototype of bonsai.

In Japan, the art of bonsai went through a period of its formation, trees became objects cultural value and collectibles, because, despite their small size, they can be several centuries old. Japanese masters emphasize the spiritual value of bonsai as an embodiment of the beauty of nature and the ability to find a source of inspiration in the surrounding world.

Choosing a Bonsai Plant

Almost all trees are suitable for growing a miniature tree, but for beginners it is better to choose unpretentious and fast-growing species. The most difficult trees to grow are coniferous trees - in Japan, the creators of spruce or pine bonsai are considered real masters.

If you want to grow a bonsai from a small seedling from the very beginning, it is better to choose a plant adapted to the local climate, so there is a better chance that it will take root. It is necessary to plant young trees, no more than three years old. For starters, or will do.

Plants selected from the natural environment (yamadori) need to imitate the change of seasons - they need to overwinter indoors with temperatures down to -5˚C. It is impossible to keep trees at lower temperatures; the root system will freeze. It is not recommended for beginners to take plants from nature; they are difficult to form and care for; for the first experience, it is better to choose a houseplant that does not need wintering.

The best option for home bonsai are ficus trees. They are unpretentious, do not need wintering and are easy to form into beautiful plant in almost any style. Use better variety plants with small leaves, but . It grows very quickly, its trunk and branches bend well. In addition to ficus, you can choose,. ON THE PICTURE: Ficus benjamina bonsai

If you want to grow a tree from a seed, a shrubby succulent is a good choice, a compact plant with very beautiful flowers. Adenium seeds have high percent germination, the plant grows quickly and is easy to care for. The trunk of this plant has a characteristic thickening (caudex), this will make the finished bonsai even more unusual.
ON THE PICTURE: Adenium bonsai

When choosing a bonsai, you should pay attention to the appearance of the plant, its condition, compliance with the declared style, and its resemblance to a real miniature plant. The tree should look healthy and strong. If you are choosing a deciduous plant, it is better to buy it during the period when the tree is overwintering, that is, has no leaves, so you can inspect all the shoots. Coniferous trees should have shiny needles.

Growing bonsai is a labor-intensive process and requires a lot of time to develop, at least 4–5 years. Therefore, you can purchase a ready-made adult tree.

There should be no marks on the tree bark from the wire used to form the bends of the trunk. Choose better wood up to 30 cm in height, with evenly distributed branches and a well-developed root system.

It is recommended to buy a tree in specialized stores or nurseries, this guarantees that the plant was grown with proper care and in proper conditions. In addition, from specialists you can obtain all the necessary information about a specific instance, which will help organize further care and formation of bonsai. You should not purchase plants in regular home stores with a flower department - they only sell ordinary dwarf trees or bonsai styles.

Bonsai care

Bonsai are very whimsical, so that the tree does not die and does not turn into an ordinary specimen of a houseplant, it is necessary to maintain comfortable environmental conditions for it. First of all this:

Illumination

Indoor bonsai are plants that often grow in tropical or subtropical climates and therefore require plenty of light. In climate middle zone In Russia, they, especially in winter, require additional lighting, for which it is better to use fluorescent lamps. Deciduous plants do not need light during the winter after the leaves have fallen; they can be moved to a cool, shaded place. Conifers and evergreens need lighting all year round.

How much light is needed specific plant depends on its type. When choosing a location for a bonsai, it is necessary to take into account all factors affecting illumination: the direction of the world, the distance from the window opening, the angle of incidence sun rays.

Light is also an important factor in the formation of a plant; with a lack of lighting, it changes shape - the branches stretch towards the light source, the lower, shaded branches atrophy. The bonsai must be rotated relative to the light source so that the tree develops evenly. However, you should not place the plant in the sun, especially at noon - this may have a negative effect on it. Almost all types of flora do not tolerate direct sunlight.
ON THE PICTURE: Placing the bonsai away from the window will protect the tree from exposure to direct sunlight

Temperature

Choice temperature regime depends on the type of tree. Some plants need a cool winter, some can be kept all year round without changing the temperature environment. Subtropical species in winter should be kept at a temperature of no more than +15˚C, and in summer they will do better outdoors. Tropical - kept year-round at a temperature of +18–25˚C.

Classic tree bonsai in Japan are always outdoors; in our climate this is impossible, since the plants do not tolerate temperatures below 0˚C.

Humidity

Bonsai need humid air, so the best solution would be to purchase a special humidifier. If this is not possible, then the container with the tree can be placed on a tray with gravel, which must be constantly moistened. You can place containers of water on operating heating radiators; this will also make the air in the room more humid. Spraying gives a good effect; it must be carried out daily, preferably in the morning.
ON THE PICTURE: Spraying of Carmona (Heretia) should be carried out year-round (source - http://www.bonsaiforum.ru)

Watering

Most miniature trees require frequent watering. The most important thing in watering bonsai is to maintain optimal soil moisture so that it does not dry out, but is not flooded with water for a long time. Water the bonsai through a watering can with small holes or by half-immersing the pot in a container of water for a while. All the soil in the container should be moistened. Most plants do not tolerate “hard” water with a high salt content; rain or melt water is better for them. Tap water Before watering, it is necessary to stand - the impurities will settle and the water will heat up to air temperature. Bonsai cannot be watered cold water why - you can find out from the article. The plant pot must have large drainage holes to avoid water stagnation.

Top dressing

Bonsai is demanding when it comes to feeding due to the small volume of substrate in the bowl in which it is grown. Fertilizer recommendations on the packaging must be carefully followed (for coniferous plants It is better to divide the dose into two). The fertilizers themselves must be of extremely high quality, preferably liquid and separate (separately phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen). Excessive feeding is also harmful - you can damage the root system of the plant and spoil the soil. During the formation of a plant, when it grows intensively, it is necessary to use complex fertilizers. Later, fertilizing with a low nitrogen content is usually used so as not to increase plant growth. Plants should not be fed after replanting or pruning, during illness or wintering.

Disease and pest control

Bonsai, like all plants, can suffer from certain diseases and be affected by pests. This is usually due to errors in the conditions of detention. To avoid this, you should adhere to the basic rules for growing:

1. It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of equipment used to care for the plant. All tools should be washed in soapy water after use. Blades of tools for pruning plants are disinfected with alcohol before storing.
2. The pruning areas must be treated with garden varnish to prevent infection.
3. Branches of weakened, diseased or damaged plants should not be pruned until they have recovered.
4. The bonsai should be in a sunny place. Fungi, which most often cause diseases in miniature plants, love moist and dark rooms, where they multiply well. If a fungal infection is detected, the tree must be sprayed with fungicidal agents, the affected leaves must be removed, and it is better to stop watering and spraying the plant for a while.
5. Regular inspection of the leaves and branches of the plant, collection and destruction of detected insects is necessary. If necessary, suitable insecticides should be used.

If you follow the rules of care and maintenance, your home bonsai will delight you with its beauty for many years. Shaping a plant in a certain way is not just entertainment, but a real art, a unique way of learning and changing existence, which can be accessed through a miniature tree.

1. If you want to form a bonsai a certain style, choose carefully suitable plant. Not all types can be brought to the desired form.
2. For newbies the best option they will be unpretentious houseplants, which do not need the change of seasons.
3. For your first attempt, do not take a plant from its natural environment - it will take a lot of effort, some experience and endurance for it to take on the intended appearance.
4. When purchasing a ready-made bonsai, remember that you will have to continue shaping the tree yourself, otherwise it will lose its decorative appearance.
5. When caring for a bonsai, the main thing is to provide it the necessary conditions maintenance, timely pruning and fertilizing.
6. Before planting or purchasing a bonsai, consider whether you have enough time to care for the tree as much as it needs.

Bonsai is a compact miniature plant. Now Japan is considered the birthplace of the tradition of growing miniature plants, although in fact the country only adopted the tradition from the ancient Chinese - bonsai were grown there 2 thousand years ago. And in Japan, art appeared much later, along with the religion of Buddhism.

But it was through Japan that the whole world learned about the art of bonsai. It was the inhabitants of this country who brought it to perfection and came up with many various types, methods of cultivation and decoration. For a small country like Japan, these miniature trees turned out to be very in a suitable way express your love for art, beauty and nature. At the same time, they are small, which is important, because the average apartment in Japan is small sizes- and the bonsai fit perfectly into this space. Chinese bonsai still exist, but the Japanese versions differ from them in much greater elegance and thoughtfulness.

By now, thoughtful Japanese have already created a real bonsai philosophy, as in almost all other areas of life to which they put their hands and brains. It is believed that the art of cultivating bonsai instills in a person hard work, patience and wisdom. Europeans and residents Western countries It is sometimes difficult to accept this philosophy, but nevertheless, once you start growing these plants, you will have to be patient. With proper care, bonsai can delight you for many years - some plant varieties live for more than a hundred years. And a tree planted by a grandmother may well continue to be grown by her grandchildren.

Now by the word bonsai we mean a miniature tree growing in a container, preferably a ceramic one. From regular indoor flower it differs in that bonsai looks like a tree, only very small. It also has a trunk and crown. At the same time, bonsai almost never blooms.

What are the characteristics of a “correct” bonsai:

1. A powerful trunk with obvious signs of a developed root system.
2. The branches have a clear contour, they are quite spreading, forming a crown characteristic of an ordinary tree.
3. The trunk is the basis of the bonsai, and it should be clearly visible through the leaves.
4. The bonsai should be very similar to an ordinary tree growing in natural conditions.
5. The container for the composition is preferably without decoration, a simple, laconic shape, made of ceramics or clay.
6. The pot and the plant itself should be combined with each other, emphasizing and complementing its advantages.

Bonsai come in different sizes. According to this parameter they are divided into the following groups:

• Large bonsai - from 60 to 120 cm.
• The average bonsai is from 30 to 60 cm.
• Small - from 15 to 30 cm.
• Miniature - from 5 to 15 cm. Among this last group there is the so-called “c-marigold” type, 5-15 cm in size, and “baby” - 7.5-15 cm.

The height is measured from the edge of the container in which the flower is located - to the very top of the plant.

The most popular types are small and miniature bonsai. Their beauty, decorativeness and complete repetition of ordinary tall trees in a smaller version evoke admiration and surprise. What plants are most often grown as bonsai:

• Dwarf bamboo. This plant comes from China. It is quite capricious and thermophilic. In Russian conditions it is not suitable for garden cultivation.
• Cypress. This is a subtropical plant, it can be grown as a bonsai in greenhouses and greenhouses.
• Rosemary. Quite unpretentious.
• Olive. Very beautiful and decorative bonsai. A miniature olive can bear quite edible fruits.
• Buckthorn. The berries are poisonous. Therefore, you need to be careful when growing this bonsai. In addition, the bark of the plant is a powerful laxative. Pets are not allowed near it.
• Boxwood. Decorative and quite unpretentious.
• Chinese elm - stable and does not require much care.
• Ficus - A common tree in many homes and offices. They are low maintenance.
• Myrtle- an evergreen tree that has a pleasant smell especially during flowering, emits essential oils which are bactericidal.

Breeding at home

Growing a bonsai tree is practically no different from growing it in garden conditions its regular-sized counterpart. But, of course, there are some nuances:

A mature bonsai has few branches - generally around 3-5 main branches.

In the first few years, it is recommended to grow bonsai in a disproportionately large pot. This is necessary so that the plant develops a strong trunk of the desired shape; a large container will allow the tree to quickly gain desired mass. After the formation of the trunk reaches the required size, the bonsai can be transplanted into a pot more suitable for its size. Of course, there are methods for thickening trunks, but we will talk about them later.

Bonsai needs more thorough watering than garden tree. But at the same time, it is not allowed to “flood” the plant, this can lead to rotting of the roots, and subsequently the death of the plant.

It is customary to replant a bonsai tree every spring, changing the soil and removing excess roots; some species are replanted 2 times a year, others once every 2-3 years.

Bonsai feeding is done using a very weakly concentrated solution and quite rarely, again it all depends on the plant, but mostly once every 1-2 months.

The most popular forms of indoor bonsai

According to this parameter, the classification was made by Japanese flower growers, so all groups have “native” names.

Chokkan. This is a bonsai with a straight trunk perpendicular to the ground. The trunk has the shape of a regular cone, evenly and symmetrically covered with branches.

Mayogi. Same vertical trunk, but some curvature and lack of symmetry are allowed. If the chokkan resembles a garden tree, then the mayogi is a wild specimen.

Shakan. Strongly leaning bonsai.

Fukinagashi. This type of miniature symbolizes a tree that is bent by a gust of wind. It has a very strongly inclined trunk. The branches look in the direction of the slope.

Hokidachi. This shape resembles a small fan. There is a straight trunk, which, closer to the top, diverges to the sides in the form of a regular fan.

Kengai. This is a bonsai with a hanging, “ampeloid” shape. The branches and leaves of the plant may bend over the edge of the pot. As an option - Khan-kengai - a semi-hanging form, the drooping is not so pronounced.

Isitsuki. This is "bonsai growing on a rock" - the literal translation. In reality, stones are placed in the pot as rock. The roots of the plant are entwined with these stones in a very picturesque way.

Sokan. This is a form of bonsai that has two, almost identical, trunks. Literally translated it means “twins”. The trunks must grow from the same root.

Sankan. Three trunks.

Kabudachi. This is a multi-stemmed bonsai that looks like a bush. The trunks can be different in height and thickness, but there must be an odd number of them - this must be strictly monitored.

Yose-Yu. This is an imitation of a forest plot in a pot. There may be several trees here different varieties and sizes.

Ikadabuki. Translated, this form means “raft”. It is a trunk practically lying, knocked to the ground. Its branches grow vertically upward.

Making a choice between these types is not an easy task, because each of them is beautiful and wonderful in its own way. See what these styles look like in the photos and choose the one that suits you!

Growing bonsai outdoors.

if you have garden plot, whether it is a dacha or you live in a private house, then you are very lucky. After all, on fresh air in open conditions, bonsai quickly takes on the desired shape. In addition, some types of trees are simply not possible to keep in an apartment, this should not be forgotten!

Garden bonsai grow best outdoors. They cannot tolerate the dry air of enclosed spaces. If the plant is grown outdoors, the bonsai gets sick less often and looks better. At the same time, the plant should not be exposed to aggressive sunlight. In winter, maintaining the plant involves protecting it from precipitation and strong winds. What types of bonsai can be classified as suitable for garden cultivation:

• juniper;
• Kaempfer's larch;
• pine trees;
• Japanese maple;

gray elm And several other plants that are less known in our country. In general, for garden cultivation it is important that the plant has a strong root system and is sufficiently hardy. Do right choice You can find a suitable bonsai by consulting on the forum with experienced gardeners and lovers of these miniatures.

Growing bonsai in conditions indoors not too easy. In captivity, plants begin to be capricious and show their delicacy and fastidiousness on a full scale. But improper care of a bonsai can deprive the plant of its decorative properties and make it completely unattractive.

What conditions does he need to provide:

1. Lighting.

In our latitudes, a bonsai tree, as a guest from hotter countries, often lacks lighting. Therefore, it is best to keep it on southern windowsills. You can, if your apartment allows it, even move the pot after the sun.

If there is no way to provide sufficient natural light for it, you can arrange additional light for bonsai in the apartment using table lamp. But at the same time, artificial light can only be used as a temporary measure when it is dark and cloudy. At the same time, it is important not to place incandescent lamps near the bonsai; LED or halogen lamps are better suited.

2. Temperature

Some species can withstand up to 5 degrees of heat in winter. In summer they should be grown outdoors at natural summer temperatures.

And tropical varieties need warmth all year round - from 18 to 25 degrees. They should also be left at home during the summer. You should know that the higher the temperature and drier the air, the more abundant the watering and the more frequent the fertilizing. And vice versa.

3. Humidity

In our ordinary rooms, the air humidity, especially if it is an apartment in winter, is not high enough. It is not very suitable for normal bonsai breeding. How to fix the situation?

You can install an electric humidifier. This thing is useful not only for the existence of bonsai, but also for the health and appearance of the inhabitants of the house. But there are also disadvantages - it is expensive, consumes a lot of electricity, and is very noisy.

A simple and elegant solution is to place the bonsai pot on a tray of expanded clay filled with water. This measure is especially effective when the pan is located above the heating radiator. A steam effect is created when water quickly evaporates.

You can spray your bonsai with a spray bottle. It is better to do this procedure in the morning so that the plant does not remain overnight with wet leaves.

4. Watering

Bonsai loves fairly moist soil and tolerates drought with great difficulty. In summer, watering should be increased, in winter - vice versa. When watering, it is important to monitor the water temperature; you cannot water a delicate miniature with cold water - only at room temperature.

5. Substrate (soil for wood)

Clean store-bought soil is not suitable for growing bonsai.. It can only be use as a component substrate. Maintenance of bonsai involves making the soil mixture yourself. How to do it:

1. clay - 1 part;
2. humus - 5 parts;
3. coarse sand, ground gravel - 2 parts.

This is the optimal recipe for soil substrate for growing capricious bonsai.

Instead of humus, humus from leaves or pine needles, even bark, is suitable.

Do not forget to properly grind the components of the soil. After you have prepared the parts, they should be heated at 100 degrees for 15 minutes. This heat treatment will destroy pest larvae and weed germs.

In conclusion, we will add that in Japan there is a sign associated with the cultivation of miniature plants that the art of cultivating bonsai reaches its greatest flowering when the society in the country is healthy, and in general the whole country is moving forward and developing.

Bonsai can be grown indoors all year round, which is not possible outdoors.

As a rule, bonsai plants are not very demanding to care for.

However, the choice of indoor bonsai is not so wide - this limitation will be felt mainly by people who like bonsai from coniferous trees.

Coniferous trees

Conifer bonsai uses an evergreen conifer native to China. This is Podocarpus macrophyllus - large-leaved podocarp, also called footcarp, is not quite a typical coniferous tree with classic “spiny” needles. The needles of the footcarp are shaped like narrow, leathery leaves.

Deciduous trees

Among deciduous trees, the choice is much greater - bonsai can be made from ficus (Ficus), carmona (Carmona), pomegranate (Punica), muraya (Murraya), myrtle (Myrtus) and others. The possibilities for formation are usually endless. They can be used to grow bonsai of various shapes and sizes.

Ficus bonsai

The most popular and easiest to grow indoor bonsai are ficus trees. In particular, ficus retusa (Ficus retusa) and its many varieties (Ficus Kimmen', 'Ginseng', 'Nitida', 'Panda'), Benjamin's ficus (Ficus benjamina), dark-leaved ficus (Ficus neriifolia), ficus natalensis (Ficus natalensis ). Ficus bonsai are popular for many reasons - they look very beautiful, are durable and relatively easy to propagate. Among the plants you can find species suitable for growing in sunny, warm and dry apartments, as well as in dark and cold places. It is enough just to choose the right plant and provide it with the necessary care.

Growing

- Despite the fact that ficus plants grow indoors all year round, they will benefit from being outdoors in a protected place in the garden, on a balcony or terrace.

— The growing substrate must be nutritious and permeable (for example, 2 parts compost, 2 parts sand, 1 part peat, 1 part perlite).

— The ideal temperature for growing ficus bonsai is 20–25 °C, most species tolerate temperatures well above 30 °C (at this temperature they need to be watered more intensively) or, conversely, long-term temperature drops to 15 °C (in this case need to be watered less frequently).

— From spring to autumn, bonsai need to be fertilized once every 7-14 days, in winter once every 1-2 months, preferably with a special fertilizer for bonsai.

— Quite resistant to diseases and pests.

Ficus plants are sensitive to constant wet substrate (in which their roots can begin to rot) and to drafts (they can turn yellow and drop their leaves). If the ficus roots begin to rot, it should be replanted in a mixture of peat, sand and perlite in a ratio of 2:1:1, keeping the substrate slightly moist and providing relatively high air humidity. Within a few weeks, the ficus bonsai will grow new roots.

Hardy succulents

A separate group of indoor bonsais includes succulents. Like all succulents, they tolerate long periods of drought and minor errors in cultivation, and are one of the most resilient and least demanding plants. The possibilities for their formation, however, are very limited. Suitable species for cultivation are, for example, representatives of the genera Crasula, Aeonium, Kalanchoe, Bursera, Dorstenia.

Growing

— All these plants are suitable for a sunny habitat, for example, on a windowsill.

— In summer, it is preferable to place succulent bonsai outdoors in a sunny place.

— The substrate must be airy and permeable (for example, a mixture of compost with sand and peat in a ratio of 1:1:1).

— Watering should be intensive, however, the substrate should dry out before the next watering. A succulent bonsai can survive without water for more than a month.

— It is necessary to fertilize once every 2-3 weeks with fertilizer intended for cacti and succulents (with a high content of phosphorus and potassium).

Succulent bonsai can withstand a wide range of temperatures - in summer they will remain in good shape at temperatures above 30°C, in winter they will do well at temperatures around 15°C.

How to choose the right bonsai tree in a store and what should you pay attention to first? Bonsai are dwarf trees grown from an ordinary seedling, but with regular pruning, pinching and bending of branches. Thus, the appearance of a small tree is formed as it grows by man. Growing a bonsai on your own is difficult, it’s a whole science. It’s easier to buy decorative tree and not suffer.

Of course, buying a bonsai is not a cheap purchase, because it takes years to grow. This means that after purchasing the tree, you should properly care for it so that it pleases the eye with its aesthetic appearance for many years.

Bonsai buy

1 First, decide what kind of tree you like. They can be flowering and fruit-bearing, evergreen or deciduous. Bonsai prices vary; as a rule, they depend on the beauty of the tree, the degree of complexity of its formation and the closest approximation to natural wood. The price also includes the growth of the tree; the smaller it is, the more expensive it is. For beginning flower growers, it is better to choose an unpretentious tree that can easily withstand unfavorable conditions. You can find out about such a copy from the seller. But don't think that everything will be simple. Any bonsai tree needs pruning and proper winter care.

2 In appearance, a healthy tree will have a green crown, proportional branches, not flooded, but slightly moist soil. If it is a deciduous tree, then you should not buy it during the period of shedding its leaves. No one can guarantee you the appearance of new foliage in the spring. Therefore, you only need to buy green copies.

3 Each species requires special care, so ask the seller. If you do not receive detailed advice, then you should not buy an expensive plant in a store that does not even know how to properly care for it.

4 Any bonsai tree is finicky and requires close attention and careful handling. If you buy spruce, fir or pine, then know that the coniferous tree needs to be kept cool in winter. Without winter periods their vegetative growth will slow down, which means that fresh shoots will not be in a hurry to grow. This is bad for general condition tree. Dry room air will cause needles to fall off. Bonsai also needs to be watered according to science. Excess moisture will cause rotting of the roots, drought will cause the leaves to drop. You will have to do the cutting and pinching yourself. However, a healthy and properly formed bonsai tree is worth such worries. It can truly become the highlight of any interior.

How to maintain a coniferous bonsai?

When choosing a coniferous tree, you must clearly understand where you will keep it in the winter. If the tree is left for these months in a dry and warm room, it will turn yellow or shed its needles, and new needles are unlikely to appear. You will have to immediately take rescue measures.

In winter, coniferous bonsai must be kept at sub-zero temperatures; remember, in a real environment, spruce and pine trees are covered with snow in winter. However, bonsai is initially grown indoors and does not experience frost - 30 C, so a temperature of + 5 - + 10 C is suitable for the tree. In winter, the apartment is much warmer, a glazed balcony will be your salvation. If the balcony is heated, then you need to regulate its temperature. To do this, you can install a faucet on the heating pipe leading to the balcony. The tap will allow you to reduce or increase the temperature.

Some gardeners create winter Garden on the roof. Birds live on the roofs of most houses, and no one bothers to arrange a winter garden there. You can build a small greenhouse using an iron frame and polycarbonate.

On the bad end, you can choose a north window in the house and place the tree on it as close to the glass as possible. But when ventilating, keep the bonsai away from drafts. It needs coolness, not frost.

If there are absolutely no options, and the tree has begun to turn yellow, place the pot in a bowl of water to create humidity. You can lay out expanded clay at the bottom of the basin, on which you place the pot and then pour in water, hiding the bottom of the flower pot. It remains to ensure that the water does not evaporate completely. This way the air will always be moist, which will help the tree to survive the winter with minimal losses.

If the winter goes well, then in the spring the tree will give new shoots that can be shaped at the owner’s request.

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