Imperial Bonsai, is a beautiful specimen tree. Its graceful, elegant branches are full of bold, dark foliage that flows gracefully over its smooth, green bark. It has grown for centuries in the Japanese province of Hokkaido. And, it is said that, when trained, this magnificent specimen will make a wonderful specimen or desktop tree.
The most important point in learning how to cut an imperial bonsai tree is to know what the branches are actually attached to. Sometimes you will find branches on the side of a tree that look like they are part of the trunk when viewed from the front but they are actually separate branches that grow off to the side. This is a problem when pruning, so be sure to check the direction of each stem before you cut. If you find that they run in a different direction, then that branch is separate and you should not cut it. When you start trimming any type of wood bonsai, you should do so from the back so that they do not twist when you push the pruning shears down.
The second step is to determine the appropriate indoor/outdoor bonsai soil. Most varieties of this particular tree prefer a slow-release, ceramic loam soil with slow release fertilizer. This provides ample nutrients and moisture for the roots to develop at their vigorous best. However, some varieties of this tree grow better in organic mulch or compost. Whatever your choice, remember that you want your tree to thrive in an area that allows it to “breathe” and exhaust itself naturally of excess nutrients and moisture.
Once your tree has been established in a spot that allows for healthy root growth, you can begin potting it. Containers are available in many styles, shapes and sizes. They are made of many inexpensive, plastic materials that can be found in any supermarket. You can purchase an elegant, large container for a focal point or a more modest sized container for more foliage or a filler.
Bonsai beginners often start with potted styles. Potted styles resemble mini trees and do not require the care of pruning, fertilizing or watering that larger, live branches require. These often come in simple shapes such as rectangles, ovals and squares. Larger potted styles, such as conifers and evergreens, come in many shapes and forms. Decide how you want your tree to look before purchasing and consider how many branches the container will house to determine how big the tree should be.
When caring for an indoor tree, you must keep in mind that it is very easy to damage and kill an indoor tree by over-watering. Water conditions that exist for too long can cause the tree to wilt. If you notice that the tree has yellowed or cracked leaves, this may be due to too much water. You should also avoid pruning, shaping and clipping, unless the branch is badly damaged.
Imperial bonsai trees should be kept in pots that are small enough to allow for slow growth and significant branch maturity. If you buy a full-grown tree from a reputable dealer, you should be able to prune the tree yourself in the future. Pots often have some degree of resistance to environmental stresses such as pollution and high humidity, but these stresses are less likely to occur if you buy your tree from a nursery or potters.
Some people choose to purchase miniature specimen trees or shrubs from specialist stores but choose an Imperial tree because they know that it will grow well indoors. This decision is often motivated by an aesthetic objective, rather than cost or technical issues. You can, however, find bonsai starter kits that contain miniature specimens that are not aesthetically important, but will work well indoors. Bonsai canines, such as Oriental and Shih Tzu varieties, are also suitable for inside plantings because they are miniature and their hardiness suits a variety of indoor environments.