April 6, 2008

What is Required for Indoor Bonsai Care?

by Herb Daniels

Bonsai are trees that can be maintained in very small sizes. To be successful with these plants, constant root and crown pruning is required. It is also necessary to keep the plant in a small pot.

Bonsai trees were first created in ancient China; and, the practice spread to Japan and, eventually, to other locations in the world. This is a method of turning out plants that are small but would normally grow quite large. The final product is a tree that looks old but really is not.

Indoor Bonsai Care is Often Necessary

For successful indoor bonsai care, they will need to live in an environment similar to their origins. This means that plants from the tropics or subtropics will probably not survive outside during the harsh and freezing winter months. It is imperative to be fully aware of the plants' needs prior to bringing them inside your home or office. Following are some critical tips for optimal indoor Bonsai care.

Mimic the sunlight these trees are used to getting outside. This can be accomplished by making available artificial light to replace any loss of natural light. Some trees may not need much light. Therefore, you need to be aware of what kind of plant you are working with. Some people place bonsai near a window. However, this is not always the best solution. Some varieties of bonsai will still need more light. As an alternative, light that comes from a fluorescent lamp can produce enough indoor bonsai care for the needed twelve hours per day.

Species which are miniaturized into bonsai and come from colder regions will require more indoor bonsai care than tropical species that do not need as much. Because tropical forms of vegetation are accustomed to humid temperatures, they can usually live with our house temperatures, even in the colder months. However, to thrive successfully, tropical bonsai trees will need a humid environment.

For the best indoor Bonsai care, you should not place a tropical bonsai tree near a window during a cold night, even if the window remains shut. In the winter months, you should keep the bonsai away from radiators or heating vents and continually mist the leaves to produce the effect of humidity.

It is also useful to place the bonsai pot on a water-filled surface along with some small pebbles. The pebbles protect the bonsai roots from getting wet and the water will evaporate through the branches, giving off much-needed humidity.

Indoor bonsai care can become tiresome since the bonsai does best if it is taken outside when the weather is good. Due to business events and work schedules, some bonsai hobbyists may simply forget to tend their trees properly. These plants are not normally supposed to live indoors; but, if doing so is a must for their survival, then good indoor bonsai care can be accomplished by following the aforementioned tips.

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Filed under Family Health by George Carpenter

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