Bonsai is not a new art. They have been practiced for centuries in China and Japan. In China, the concept of bonsai trees is not new. But they are just not widely known in the West. It is all a matter of perspective. As a matter of historical fact, bonsai trees have been cultivated for both practical and artistic purposes throughout Chinese history.
The basic purpose of cultivating bonsai trees was to use them as a type of living thing to provide food and other materials for a limited number of people. Bonsai trees are small, usually no more than four feet tall and between ten and twenty pounds in weight. Many people consider a bonsai to be any type of tree that has been carefully pruned to have a small, compact shape. This is not the case however, as there are bonsai that are very ornamental, and may appear even bigger than their actual counterparts.
You may be wondering how to grow a bonsai tree by choosing one that is already miniature in size. Typically, bonsai trees are bred to be miniature versions of larger, more mature trees. The best way to learn how to grow a bonsai tree is to find out what sort of tree best suits you. For instance, if you want to start with a bonsai that is a Chinese elm, then you need to find a Chinese elm that is in the size range you are looking for. You could get a Chinese elm that is half the size you originally wanted, but it will still grow to a reasonable size after you have cared for it well.
Bonsai trees are cultivated in shallow containers, such as shallow pots or pans. They can also be grown in soil, on top of gravel, or in bark cribs or peat moss. Bonsais thrive better in soil that is moist and well-drained, so it is best to buy your potting soil at a nursery that specializes in bonsai plants. The kind of soil that you choose will depend on the type of tree you are attempting to grow, but most bonsai trees are fairly easy to grow in most soils.
Another aspect of how to grow a bonsai tree is how much water you provide it. Bonsai trees are usually grown indoors, which means they require much less frequent watering than their outdoor cousins. This is especially true if the tree was grown in a container and it is being grown inside in a climate that gets really hot during the summer. If the tree is kept outdoors all year long, then it should be watered every couple of weeks during its lifetime. As with most other plants, however, bonsai require fertilizer to help them grow, and you should use a slow-release fertilizer that is appropriate for the plant you are growing.
The final part of how to grow a bonsai tree is to take good care of the tree once it has been established. It takes much less time to establish an indoor bonsai garden than it does to start a plant from scratch outside. In addition, since indoor plants tend to have a lower need for food than outdoor ones, you may save money by making your own food. You can purchase bonsai food at a nursery or some discount stores.
When you learn how to grow a bonsai tree, you will find that it is not that difficult to do. They are simply miniature trees that have been trained to look like a particular type of plant or tree. Since bonsai trees have a limited amount of space, it is important to establish an environment where they will thrive. If you do not provide the proper care for the tree, you will likely have to repot it more than once in its lifetime.
You should be able to learn how to grow a bonsai tree very easily with patience and dedication. Once you learn how to do it, you may find that you get a lot of enjoyment from caring for these miniature trees. This hobby not only provides you with a creative outlet but also provides you with a hobby that allows you to spend your free time. These things go a long way in making your hobby worth your while.