Questions tagged [bonsai]

Miniature version of a tree curated in a small container by trimming its roots and branches. Each Specimen of bonsai trees needs different requirements such as soil type, amount of sun, watering schedule, NPK fertalizer levels and much more.

Bonsai (盆栽 Japanese) is a Japanese art form and tradition dating back over a thousand years.

bonsai of cotoneaster by OpenEye

A miniature version of a or bush is grown in a small or container, frequent trimming of the roots and branches shapes the plant's in a way as to grow no larger than the container().

Other cultures have similar practices such as penjing and hòn non bộ from China (where the art originated) and Vietnam respectively.

In English, "bonsai" is a catch-all term for all miniature trees in containers or pots.

Cotoneaster bonsai photo from OpenEye

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Can I move a self-seeded oak tree into a pot to keep it small?

An oak has self seeded in our garden. Has got to about a metre tall and seems happy. We don't have anywhere near enough space for an oak but seems a shame to kill it. Can we move it to a pot to keep it dwarf?
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What is a good watering routine for a bonsai?

If I have just purchased a bonsai, what is a good watering routine that I should start with and how should I adjust this routine regularly?
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Should I mix chicken manure in with my bonsai soil mix?

I've heard it mentioned before that Japanese people use chicken manure in their bonsai soil mix. Is this a good idea? If so, what quantities should I be mixing in to the soil?
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How closely related do plants have to be for grafting purposes?

I have a lovely trunk / rootstock that I want to use for bonsai. It is a field maple (acer campestre). I don't particularly want to foliage though. I will have (hopefully at the end of the season) some Japanese maple (acer palmatum) saplings. Would…
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What is this bonsai tree with serrated elliptic leaves and why has it lost all its leaves?

My son bought me a bonsai tree for Father's day in June last year. It grew new leaves and shoots for a while and has been watered regularly. It has now dropped all its leaves and there does not seem to be any new growth. I would like to know how I…
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What exactly is an outdoor bonsai?

I recently got a Brussels Boxwood Bonsai, 3 years old. And I have it placed indoors near an optimally sunlit area and apartment temperature is around 70 F.There seems to be a little bit of wilting/decay on the top canopy. Boxwood is supposed to be…
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Good soil mix for bonsai?

What is a good generic bonsai soil mix? What ratio of organic / inorganic material should be included?
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Does the blue Japanese maple tree exist?

In my search of different kinds of bonsai trees, I have come across various websites selling blue Japanese maple seeds, usually with an image attached (most likely photo-shopped). I personally don't believe that they can exist. Can anyone give any…
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Bonsai basil? Tips on herbal bonsai

I have a 5 year old basil plant growning in my window. Since I don't know much about gardning it has been a small hobby of mine to prune it and keep it alive. My idea was to create some kind of bonsai basil. Since the 5 year old plant seams to be a…
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What are the different styles of bonsai trees?

I am interested in bonsai, but I'm having difficulty finding the design that I want because when searching the internet most of the bonsai styles don't have pictures. Could we create a compilation of bonsai styles here? It will be much better if we…
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Giant Sequoia Bonsai

I'm attempting to grow some Sequoiadendron giganteum (Giant Sequoia) from seedlings I received from a friend. I plan to bonsai them, since i don't really have the need or space for a 300ft tree. The 2 that had leaves were green and awesome when I…
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How regularly should I fertilise my bonsai plants?

Is there a need to fertilise my bonsai or should I just stick with replacing the soil once every 18 months to 2 years?
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Disagreeing info on growing black pine from seed

I recently came to possess a bonsai starter kit, and among the contents were some black pine seeds. The booklet included with the kit instructs me to prepare these seeds by soaking them in water for 3-5 days, then putting them on wet tissue and…
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Bonsai pot broke due to accident

I am a bonsai beginner and a friend gifted me a ficus bonsai. A stray cat got into the house and jumped on the table where I had kept my bonsai pot, tipping the table and breaking the pot. I wasn't around at home when this happened and my dad did…
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I want to start a bonsai. I'm not sure where to begin

Background I have all the tools to do a bonsai from my family in Japan and my mother. I want to start my first real bonsai. Part of growing up was helping my mother with her Japanese Rock and Moss garden in Berkeley, CA which had a perfect climate…
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