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Providing Good Indoor Bonsai Care

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Written by Herb Daniels

Saturday, 29 March 2008

by HerbDaniels

The name Bonsai is used to describe trees that have the capability of staying small. To develop these specimens, consistent pruning of the roots and crown is needed. It is also important to keep the plant ina small container.

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 Essential

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.

You will need to mimic the sunlight these trees were getting when they were outside. You can provide artificial light to make up for any deficiency in natural light. There are some trees that do not need very much light. Therefore, you need to know just what variety of plant you are working with. Bonsai can be put near a window, but, this is not going to be the complete answer. This may not yield enough light for some varieties of bonsai. As a supplement, light that is derived from fluorescent lamp fixtures can provide adequate 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, keep a tropical bonsai tree away from any window on a cold day or night, even if the window is shut. In winter, keep the bonsai far away from heating vents and radiators. Also, you should mist the leaves often to mimic 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.

About the Author:

Herb Daniels is a gardener living in Florida. Herb has posted an informative article about Bonsai Plant site for more details.

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