Wiring is a fundamental bonsai technique. It helps us guide new growth and rearrange existing growth. Its application can be difficult, and even removing wire from branches can be trying when there’s little space to work. Wiring can also be a lot of fun. We impart a little of ourselves when we wire, and with practice, the […]
Bonsai Care
The bonsai care category includes topics like Watering, Fertilizing, Repotting and Bonsai Soil. You can also find information about the Pests commonly found on bonsai, and read Interviews with bonsai professionals.
How to secure bonsai in the pot
When I first heard that bonsai are commonly wired into the pot I thought, “That sounds crazy – you must be kidding me!” Over the years I’d planted hundreds, if not thousands, of plants in containers without wire for a retail nursery. The practice sounded extraneous and made me think that bonsai people were overly concerned […]
Tips for using basic bonsai tools
The most basic bonsai tools – scissors, concave cutters, tweezers, wire cutters and pliers – are pretty easy to use. Except for the concave cutter, all have non-bonsai counterparts with which we are familiar, and the concave cutter isn’t too tricky to figure out. Rather than discuss each in detail, I’ll offer a simple tip […]
Distinguishing vigorous growth from healthy growth in bonsai
One of the more important distinctions to make when evaluating bonsai is whether or not a tree is ready to be worked on. Weak trees need to regain strength and sick trees need to regain health before any major work is done. This goes for detail wiring, heavy bending or major cutback. Repotting is an […]
How to tell when something is wrong with your bonsai
Even when you water and fertilize properly and keep your bonsai in a location appropriate for their health, problems can arise. Insects, disease, poor drainage or short periods of neglect can stress bonsai and cause trees to weaken. Working on stressed trees, whether wiring or cutting back, can cause further stress. This may sound funny, […]