When planning to grow their own bonsai at home, many opt for ficus. And this choice is really justified. Some types of ficus have all the characteristics you need to grow bonsai:

• branched roots;
• interesting, ornate, massive trunks - curved or corrugated;
• beautiful bark - light and smooth in some species and more textured and colorful in others;
• fast growth - you can grow a bonsai from ficus in two to three years;
• small leaves - not all ficuses have small leaves, but we will select the types of ficus that are suitable for creating bonsai.

The first step in growing ficus bonsai is choose the right view.

What types of ficus are suitable for making bonsai?

There are several of them - these are ficuses:

• Bengali (Ficus benghalensis),
• benjamin (Ficus benjamina),
• carica or figs (Ficus carica),
• microcarpa (Ficus microcarpa),
• dark-leaved (Ficus neriifolia),
• blunted / retusa (Ficus retusa),
• rusty red (Ficus rubiginosa),
• ginseng / ginseng (Ficus ginseng).

Let's take a look at photo bonsai grown from each suitable type of ficus and we will definitely determine the type.

Photo of ficus bonsai.

Bonsai grown from Bengal ficus.
Ficus benjamin bonsai.
Ficus carica bonsai.
Dark leaf ficus bonsai.
Ficus microcarpa bonsai.
Ficus retuza bonsai.
Rusty red ficus bonsai.
Ficus ginseng bonsai

Now that we have decided on species of ficus, it's time to choose the form of bonsai that you are striving for, because it is impossible to create a bonsai without having a specific result in front of your eyes!

Form for bonsai from ficus.

Usually, one of the following forms of bonsai is used for ficuses:

Upright, classic or T youkkan... If you are planning to grow your first bonsai, it is better to start with her. The chokkan is characterized by a straight trunk, thick branched roots and a free from branches the lower part of the trunk. The number of branches decreases upward.

Incorrect erect or Moyogi... The trunk of such a bonsai is slightly curved in one or more places. The crown does not go beyond the container. The general position of the ficus remains upright.

Oblique or Shakan... The trunk of the ficus is strongly inclined to one side. On the reverse side, the roots seem to be turned inside out.

Forked or Sokan... The two trunks grow from a common root. The trunk is shorter - it is "child". The second trunk is the “parent”. It is taller and thicker. The beauty and sophistication of the sokan lies in the balance in the thickness and length of the trunks.

Broom or Hokidachi... Hokidachi's style looks simple, but in reality it is complex. In the best examples, branches and roots should radiate from the trunk in the same way.

Grove or Yesueue... In one container, one or different types of ficuses are placed, differing in age and thickness of the trunks. The minimum number of ficuses is five.

1. root formation,
2. the formation of the trunk and crown.

How to give a bonsai ficus the desired shape?

Roots.

The roots are given the desired shape by repeated pruning of the main shoot. The plant does not grow up, but wide. In a young ficus, the roots and shoots are shortened and planted in a wide container with good drainage.

Pruning of branches and roots is carried out regularly until the trunk reaches the desired volume. Only after that we proceed to the next step - the formation of the shape of the trunk and crown. Consider a bonsai's root formation pattern.

Crown.

The leaves are given the desired shape by pruning. Ficus is a very fast growing plant. You need to prune it to 2-4 leaves after 6-10 new leaves grow. When pruned, the ficus will “bleed” with milky sap, which is actually latex. Start pruning from the bottom and work your way up according to the plan outlined in advance. When pruning ficus branches, use special scissors or simply make concave cuts. Lubricate the cuts with garden varnish.

Use small, sharp scissors to trim the bonsai. Only the stems are cut, not the leaves. Trimmed leaves take on an unkempt appearance and turn brown. The largest pruning should be done at the end of winter before spring growth. Pruning can also be done in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, pruning is stopped, since the plant is dormant.

Trunk.

The desired shape of the trunk is given in several ways.

Method one - garter.

The top of the crown is tied to some part of the tree - more often to the base.

Method two - wire use.

The shape of the trunk is formed using ordinary wire. Use thin insulated wire. Do not use wire immediately after transplanting your bonsai. Wrapping too tightly can lead to scarring. Start at the base of the bonsai and wrap the wire around the trunk. Then follow the branches. After about 6 to 8 weeks, the ficus will be able to maintain its proposed shape and the wire can be removed. Cut the wire carefully. Do not try to unwind it - you will most likely break the branches.

Here's how to do it. The example, although not on ficus, is illustrative.

Growing conditions for bonsai from ficus.

Location.

Ficus can be grown indoors, near a sunny window, or outdoors all year round in warm climates. Direct morning sunlight is preferred; the direct midday sun can sometimes be too much - it can burn the delicate leaves. Ficuses do not like cold drafts and sudden changes in conditions. Make changes gradually.

Watering.

Bonsai trees live in small pots and their soil dries out much faster than a regular pot of soil. Therefore, close attention should be paid to watering the ficus. Water the bonsai every day, but a little at a time. Also use a spray bottle to make life easier for the roots, especially on hot days.

The leaves also need extra moisture to be green and healthy. If you keep a ficus bonsai in your home, spray it every day. If in winter the ficus stands near the battery, place a bowl of water next to it, which, evaporating, will provide the bonsai with the necessary moisture.

Top dressing.

Feeding a bonsai is essential for its health, because nutrients in the soil are washed out very quickly in conditions of abundant watering. When new leaves begin to appear in the spring, it's time to start feeding your bonsai. Use liquid organic fertilizers or chemical fertilizers diluted twice as strong as indicated on the package. Fertilizing ficus bonsai is necessary every two weeks during the growing season and once a month in winter. Ficus reacts quickly and enthusiastically to feeding.

Ficus bonsai transplant.

An adult ficus bonsai should be replanted every two years in the spring using potting soil. After transplanting, water the ficus and place in a dark place for several weeks to replenish the roots.

Pests and diseases of ficus-bonsai.

Shields more often than others they attack ficus. Brown or black buds appear on the branches, which contain insects under a protective waxy shell.

Mealybugs appear in the form of whitish-fluffy areas at the base of the leaves and on the roots.

Ficus does not tolerate insecticides containing malathion. A good way to control ficus pests is neem oil.

If your bonsai started losing leaves for no apparent reason, due to excessive moisture or dryness. However, a sudden blow of cold air or sudden exposure to bright sunlight can have the same effect. You don't need to do anything special! Keep the ficus warm, let the soil dry, and then water it often and little by little. After 3-4 weeks, the leaves will return.

Growing bonsai from ficus is a philosophical and long-term business, be patient and create a masterpiece!

Growing a miniature bonsai tree is a special culture that requires maximum concentration, patience and a special worldview. We will share our experience and tell you how to grow a bonsai tree at home.

For the most cunning and impatient, we will discover the special art of tanuki and tell you how to quickly make a fake bonsai, no worse than the real one, but without much effort and many years of patient care.

This is quite real, we hope that your artistic taste will allow you to get a beautiful Japanese tree with a real living crown from scrap materials.

If you are withdrawn, patient and ready for years of devotion, growing bonsai is the most suitable hobby for you. It is worth noting that the market price of dwarf, skillfully grown trees reaches tens of thousands of dollars.

The tree is grown in a minimum thin layer of soil, pruned, bent with wire ties and rubber bands and is constantly at risk of death. Overflow, drying, overheating of the soil, mold, can ruin the results of work in a matter of hours. We will tell you how to grow a bonsai, choose a soil, and take care of it.

The main requirement for a plant is plasticity, resistance to the temperatures of your climatic zone. The aesthetic requirements are the small leaves of the plant. Bonsai with large leaves are not very attractive. Other things being equal, give preference to evergreen and coniferous crops - pine, juniper.

Blooming bonsai look impressive - acacia, hibiscus, myrtle, cherry and so on. It is best if this is not the first tree you grow.

Knowledge of the culture you choose as a basis and skills in caring for it will be an advantage.

Choosing a pot and soil

A bonsai pot can be rectangular or round, not too deep. The tree is supposed to rely on aerial roots. Choose a stone or ceramic pot. Place a net and a layer of rice paper on the bottom.

Use ready-made granular soils as soil. Technically, clay, loam, heavy and dense soils that inhibit plant growth will work. It is not necessary to loosen the soil.

Place the seedling in the pot and allow the tree to take root. Formation can begin after the plant reaches the age of 2 years. Until then, just pinch the crown, not letting the tree grow up too much.

To create bizarre bends, the branches and trunk are rewound with thick wire and left for 6-24 months. But the most important thing is correct and painstaking care of the tree.

Bonsai care

Watering and feeding bonsai is done every 2 days. The usual method is immersion, when a soil lump is placed in water and then the water is completely drained. Special attention should be paid to the preparation of water for irrigation - soft, filtered, purified water is required.

Top dressing can be done in spring and autumn. Choose conventional indoor plant foods and slightly acidic soils.

It will take at least 10 years to grow one tree. If you do not have such patience, we will tell you about tanuki - the art of fake bonsai.

How to make a fake tanuki bonsai

As a base, we need a ceramic pallet from a garden store. Any ceramic patch, tray, baking dish will do. It will be better if the height of the side is at least 7-10 cm.

In addition to the foundation, we need the following:

• garden land package;
• drill with ceramic attachment;
• thin drill for wood;
• wire;
• seedling of a climbing plant with small leaves, such as ivy, Chinese juniper;
• several shards;
• sand or expanded clay;
• picturesque driftwood from an aquarium store or simply from the forest.

Getting started and technical part

1. Take a pallet and carefully drill 3-4 holes in it. It is needed both as a drain and as a fastening element.
2. Place the driftwood in the pallet and select the most attractive position. If the driftwood is not from an aquarium store, it will have to be placed or placed on a thick layer of shards to avoid the harmful effects of moisture.
3. Take a thin drill and create grooves in which you will hide the stems of the climbing plant. The groove should go from the base to the very top.
4. Firmly screw the koryak to the pallet with a wire. Use drilled holes.
5. Add sand. Insert the climbing plant into the groove, leaving the leaves free. Secure with wire or stapler. Use your imagination. The roots of the plant should be in the sand, next to the driftwood.
6. Cover the soil, cover the roots of the plant, and pour water over it.

The fake bonsai is ready. You can cut it to your liking, take care of it like an ordinary houseplant, form interesting crowns, because climbing plants give shoots very quickly, you do not have to wait for years for the result by rewinding the branch with wire.

If growing a bonsai tree at home is a long-term laborious process that requires selfless abandonment of vacation - a real bonsai tree will not survive a long lack of care, then a fake bonsai is a luxury available to everyone.

Choose the most unpretentious plant as the landscaping of your tanuki. For example, a waxy vine that can survive a couple of weeks without watering at all, drawing moisture from the fleshy leaves.

Fake bonsai from fat woman

If even a fake bonsai is too difficult for you, but your craving for beauty does not let you go, give preference to a fat woman or a money tree. This unpretentious houseplant grows quickly, does not require special care and from some angles may well resemble a Japanese bonsai.

Buy a Japanese minimalist style flat clay pot and grow a fat woman in it. You can even set up a rock garden in the pallet and level out the sand with a small rake.

The only drawback is that the branches and stems of the bastard only look strong. In fact, they are fragile and very delicate. So you will have to forget about the artificial formation of the crown.

Trying on flowers on the windowsill, every florist wants to create his own brainchild.

Ficus bonsai manifests itself in the best possible way, combines a creative approach, the beauty of creation, created by one's own hands.

Bonsai are considered to be overly time-consuming, patient technology for replicating wildlife at home with various shapes, in the form of small miniature trees.

To create a bonsai, a material is required that bends easily, has a lignified crown with different color and texture manifestations from dark to light pink shades, branched and massive roots.

Popular types of ficuses used for bonsai

Choosing this plant to create a miniature tree considered the most popular.

The types of varieties of ficuses are huge, with its help you can create incredible compositions and admire bright spots. One of such examples is the most commonly used types such as:

• • Benjamin ficuses of all varieties;

• Ficus microcarpa.

There are a huge number of them, variegated varieties of these plants delight with their foliage and spotting of the leaf plate. Here's one of those options:

Using a variety of microcarp ficuses, you can plunge into the world of exoticism and beauty.

The most common type of creation of tiny trees is Benjamin's ficus. Its openwork foliage and rapid growth dress the crown in magnificent outfits.

On a note: correctly selected varieties will reduce the cost of forming miniature trees.

Five basic forms for growing bonsai

When preparing to create your masterpiece, initially decide how it will look in the final version and, following the plan, start creating. The main factors are the shape of the plant, its trunk, branches and root system, with the help of which the desired appearance for the master is formed.

Let's take a look at the most popular forms:

1. 1. Erect It is often used by beginners who want to grow and form a bonsai for the first time. It is characterized by a thick tree trunk, roots sticking out in different directions, where the crown of the plant narrows towards the top.

1. 1. Curved, the upward-looking shape looks wrong. The plant is bent in several places as the trunk grows;

1. 1. Forked reflects popular in natural conditions, when two trunks grow from one root;

1. 1. The most common and old style looks like elongated base with the absence of lower branches and prevailing at the top of the tree.

1. Difficult to perform, but so beloved by bonsaists wind-bent configuration... It involves a bent stem, with bent branches concentrated to one side.

How to give the desired shape?

How to make Benjamin ficus bonsai? Many people ask these questions, but few get intelligible answers. The necessary root formation is embodied by repeatedly pruning the main stems... The ficus does not grow up, but wider.

In a young plant, the root system is cut off by a third, planted in a special bowl with drainage. Trimming occurs until the desired result is achieved... Do-it-yourself bonsai from Benjamin ficus is easy to create. In this species, the roots grow very quickly.

The next step is to choose a style. Crown formation consists in the destruction of unnecessary branches using scissors, which is carried out repeatedly, step by step. The main role includes the distribution of branches on the trunk. They must be strict.

A leaf plate with small leaves is suitable for a small tree. If the choice fell on large creations, it is better to choose with medium leaves, ficus microcarp is well suited.

In this video, using the Kinki ficus as an example, it tells in detail how to transplant a bonsai, form its crown, and even about its effect on the energy in the house:

The trunk model is created with wire and crown straps to the base of the container... Often they are used when making an oblique shape. The crown of the crown is fixed to one or another part of the main trunk and remains until the plant is fully inclined.

Important: wires are used in the formation of interesting and unusual shapes. It is wrapped around the lower parts of the selected plant specimen, following up the branches. After six to ten months, the wire should be removed.

Secrets of proper home care

How to grow ficus bonsai and have a piece of nature in your home effortlessly? With good grooming, the created tree can live a much longer time than the person himself. Of course, the reason for this is the correct choice of the place of its growth.

They love light partial shade without a sharp change in the conditions of detention.

When growing, one should not forget about frequent watering with an intermediate spraying which takes place in winter.

Give top dressing to bonsai in spring and summer for better growth and a healthy look.

Nutrients are washed out very quickly with watering. The first sign of the fertilization process is the growth of young leaves. The best fertilizer is liquid... The tree should be fed once a month during growth and once in winter. Fertilized plants grow well and smell good.

Transplantation of miniature trees in old age is carried out in the spring every five years, using a universal earthen composition. After transplanting the plant, remove it in deep shading for a week., and after the adaptation period, it should be returned to its original place.

We offer to study the cultivation:

• Bonsai from the Ginseng variety grows well at home and is easy to care for. Properly selected soil and lighting are critical for him.
• Bonsai from which is a dwarf, variegated variety of Benjamin's ficus. Demanding on lighting, watering is carried out with settled water.
• Benjamin ficus bonsai, where selected varieties play an important role. It is not difficult to grow a bonsai from this type of ficus, pay attention to the variety with which you will get a tree. Excess moisture in the pallet is not needed for this ficus. He is afraid of drafts and cold air.

Potential Problems When Growing Bonsai

Trees instantly respond to florist errors with a sudden deterioration in their appearance. How to care for and return the plant to its picturesque appearance? Easier if you start right away.

By studying and correctly interpreting the signals from your plant, you can do without losses.

If foliage is lost, rearrange the plant to diffused light, pay attention to watering.

Brown spots on the tips of the foliage can be another possible problem, in this case should be sprayed more often.

Be creative, plunge into the world of bonsai, create masterpieces in different variations, swim in the world of small trees that live in our homes.

You can grow a natural bonsai tree in the garden or at home on a windowsill. The national symbol of Japan is created from the usual shrubs, deciduous trees, and conifers. Homemade miniature trees are made from jerky, ficus and other ornamental plants. It will take a lot of time and effort to create a real bonsai with your own hands. The strictly step-by-step process of growing a living tree includes the gradual formation of the crown and root system, timely feeding and changing the pot.

Bonsai: history of origin

For the first time, the art of growing bonsai trees appeared in China, but gained particular popularity in Japan. The inhabitants of the country sought to surround themselves with numerous green spaces, but the small area and the lack of fertile soil did not allow them to do this. Then the Japanese began to plant plants in pots, to form beautiful trees from their crown. Over time, they brought the skill of growing dwarf plantations to perfection.

Bonsai entered China along with medicine and Buddhism from Ancient India. Monks and itinerant healers then carried medicinal plants rooted in the ground in small pots. This made it possible to always have fresh ingredients for tinctures on hand. To make the natural carry compact, its crown was constantly trimmed.

Images of trees in containers have been seen by archaeologists in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. Scientists believe that such plants could play a certain religious role, be related to rituals, healing methods.

The advantages of decorative trees in the interior

The oriental style of the interior is restrained and calm. But even in such a minimalist design, there is always a place for indoor plants. Japanese bonsai is a popular floristic trend that will perfectly fit into any room. Natural decor will look original in a classic living room, in a modern high-tech kitchen.

So that the bonsai does not look lonely and does not stand out as a green spot against the general background, you can place other plants in the room that are similar in the shape of the trunk or crown. Wall paintings with natural motives will perfectly complement the interior.

Natural decorative trees of any size are simply created for rooms decorated with natural materials. Stone tiles, wooden lining, massive furniture go well with Japanese wood. If the crown has a bright color, you can emphasize it with the help of window textiles, pillows, small accessories.

The main advantage of decorative trees in the interior is the ability to create a natural atmosphere. A miniature copy will become the central accent, when entering the premises it will not go unnoticed. Thanks to the variety of styles, you can create an original decor for an existing interior. Common varieties of bonsai are Classic Straight, Sloping Tree, Cascade, Two Trunks, Roots on a Rock, Rooted in Stone.

Basic rules, features of growing and care

The semblance of natural bonsai trees is created by hand. To achieve the effect, you need to know some of the features of growing popular mini-copies. You will need a special pot, a tool, special long-term care. The reproduced natural creations will have realistic proportions and live according to their inherent routine.

Selection of soil and pot

The soil for growing an ornamental tree is of great importance. You can use a soil rich in nutrients that retains and allows moisture to pass through. Recommended composition:

• Swamp clay. Provides an even supply of nutrients, binds nutrients. It is better to use clay pellets in the form of balls;
• Volcanic sand. Increases soil porosity, oxygen permeability. Prevents soil decay;
• River sand. Retains moisture, dilutes lumpy structure well;
• Humus. Natural humus accumulates and releases nutrients. Vegetable decomposed residues of high acidity are used;
• Pumice. Absorbs and gradually releases nutrients and moisture to the plant. Promotes the correct formation of roots, prevents them from growing deeper into the container.

A bonsai pot should be wide and shallow, regardless of the type of plant being grown. This shape provides the tree with correct growth and development, allows you to control the branching of the roots and freely form the crown.

A good container for ornamental wood should have large drainage holes. To prevent the soil from crumbling, a mesh is placed on the bottom of the pot. Glazing on the inside is not allowed. For bonsai, plain containers are suitable, without bows, beads, drawings.

Watering and air temperature

The way you water bonsai may differ depending on the species. You can determine how much moisture is needed by touch. If the ground is dry only at the surface, a simple soak will be sufficient. Dewatering of the soil more than 1 cm deep requires watering.

Some bonsai styles require different root patterns, making it difficult to test the soil for moisture. In this case, you can determine the need for watering by the weight of the pot. They take the container in hand and compare the weight of the watered and drained land with the plant. Moisten the decorative tree in several ways:

• Full watering. Carried out using a watering can with a divider at the end. Water passes well through the entire container, comes out through the drain holes;
• Soaking. The container is completely immersed briefly in a container of water. The method allows you to uniformly saturate the earth with moisture;
• Spraying. It is carried out every 3 days. This method allows you to clean the leaves of dust, humidify the air and the topsoil. Especially the moss root cover needs daily spraying.

In addition to timely and sufficient moisture, bonsai trees need to maintain a certain temperature regime. Each type of plant has its own requirements for the air temperature, taking into account the method of growing - outdoors in the garden or indoors. At home for indoor plants, you need to choose a bright place with good oxygen circulation. Tropical species do not tolerate a drop in temperatures up to + 12˚С, subtropical ones - up to + 7˚С. Classic types of bonsai from the usual climatic zone freely tolerate temperatures of 0˚C.

Loosening the soil and feeding

The correct soil for bonsai does not require loosening. He should already pass air and moisture well. If there are problems with the absorption of liquid, the leaves of the tree grow dull, and the branches weaken, the soil must be fed, fertilized or changed to a new one.

Bonsai needs frequent watering, which ensures good growth for the plant, but at the same time leaches 20% of the nutrients from the ground. You can reduce losses with periodic fertilization. For dwarf trees, mixtures based on nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus are suitable. The ideal option is a mixture of three components in a ratio of 12: 6: 6.

Regular replenishment of nutrients has a huge impact on plant growth and development. Fertilizers can be introduced in several ways. Useful balls and granules are simply buried in the soil. In a favorable environment, during watering, they release nutrients. Powdery and liquid mixtures are used to capture a large suction area.

Trees growing in pots must be constantly looked after and fed regularly, especially during the period of active growth (spring and summer). Mixing of useful components occurs in a ratio of 10:10:10. In the fall, the procedure is stopped.

Rules for the formation of a young tree

There are several ways to make a bonsai tree decorative. Provides a beautiful characteristic crown shape by pruning. These are the first actions that are carried out at the stage of the formation of new shoots and branches. First, the top of the plant is cut in an arc. After a while, extra branches are removed according to the following rules:

• Remove one of the branches located opposite each other;
• Crossed branches are removed;
• Cut off thin, weak shoots coming from the trunk;
• Places of cuts are treated with special means;
• Young shoots formed in spring are removed with tweezers.

In addition to pruning, wire is used to form the crown of a young tree. With its help, the branches are made curved. Young shoots are wrapped with soft material and left in an unnatural position until they become woody.

A wired branch requires constant supervision. It must be rotated periodically, since there is a high probability of ingrowth of thin material into the soft tissue of the stem.

How to grow bonsai at home

First of all, you need to choose the type of planting material and the type of plant. A beautiful bonsai tree can be obtained from a finished seedling, seed, or cutting. Each cultivation method has advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for a particular crop. When choosing an option, it is necessary to take into account the stages of care inherent in each, the complexity of germination, and crown formation. The initial control of all processes ensures further ease of maintaining the ideal shape of the bonsai in accordance with a specific style.

From seed

Before planting, the seeds must be properly processed in order to exclude the occurrence of diseases during germination in the soil. A few days before transferring to soil, the material is placed in water or spread on peat moss. To speed up the effect, you can slightly deform the hard shell and treat with mixtures against diseases. It is also necessary to disinfect the soil before planting. Use a freezing or steaming technique.

Transfer the bonsai seed to the ground in spring or late autumn. The prepared pot is filled with earth, leaving a few centimeters to the edge. Then press down with an even flat object. Seeds are spread on the surface of the soil and sprinkled with sand. The container is watered abundantly and covered with glass or plastic. Move it to a cool place protected from direct sunlight.

From a seedling

You can find a suitable seedling in a forest belt or in a specialized store. Choose a healthy, sturdy plant with no signs of pest infestation. A bush with a height of 10-15 cm will take root well. Long, growing roots must be cut off. A length of 5 cm will be enough. All lateral shoots must be removed, vertical ones should be shortened. This growing method is suitable for deciduous bonsai - oak, cedar, maple, birch.

The remaining soil on the roots of the seedling is not removed before planting in the pot. The natural environment will promote better rooting. Over the next two weeks, the plant must be constantly monitored, noting its reaction to loosening and watering. A year later, the bonsai is transplanted into another pot, its roots are shortened.

The advantage of the method of growing an ornamental tree from a seedling is that the growing time of the plant is significantly reduced. In a few years, you can get an adult bonsai. The disadvantages include insufficient decorativeness. The lignified trunk and branches are difficult to give the required shape.

From the cutting

A simple and affordable way to grow bonsai using cuttings has become widespread among fans of this trend. This option allows you to initially engage in tree formation, without losing a whole year for germinating and strengthening the seed.

Many plants respond well to cuttings. Only young green material collected in spring is used. You can plant it as follows:

1. Choose a suitable green twig up to 10 cm in length and cut it off;
2. We prepare the container and soil, treat everything with hormonal powder;
3. Put a layer of gravel on the bottom of the container;
4. Fill the rest of the pot with potting soil;
5. Free the lower part of the cutting from the branches;
6. In the place of root formation, we make an oblique incision;
7. We place the cutting 2-3 cm in the ground and water it well.

Transplant rules

Any soil mixture requires periodic replacement, since plants, along with nutrients, absorb many harmful components. Pot replacements also require bonsai as they grow. The appropriate time for a transplant is determined by several criteria. A plant of any kind must be transferred if roots are visible between the walls of the container and the ground. Urgent action is also indicated by a fading appearance. To transfer the bonsai to another pot without damaging the plant, you must act according to the following rules:

• Dry the soil before replanting;
• Break the compacted root ball with a wooden stick;
• Prepare a new pot, strengthen the nets at the bottom;
• Spread the roots of the plant well and place on the flat bottom of the flower container;
• Trim the roots that touch the edges of the container;
• Cover the plant with soil, before reaching the root collar, compact with your hands.

Correction and shaping of an adult tree

When the trunk of the ornamental tree becomes dense enough, the bonsai will take on the appearance of an adult tree. This takes a long time, during which the plant requires constant care. All its parts need to be corrected:

• Trunk. There are several ways to make a strong base. The barrel is tilted alternately in different directions, which leads to its slight deformation. At the site of damage, an active build-up of mass occurs. For an even elongated base, tight wire wrapping is used.
• Leaves. Removing old large leaves is necessary to obtain a neat green crown. Defoliation is carried out once a year. Almost all leaves are removed at the level of the petioles, leaving two leaves at the end of the branch. In this place, a young kidney forms after a couple of weeks.
• Roots. Only the tips of the roots are trimmed when transplanting. Young branching roots are formed at the cut site, which increase the absorption of nutrients from the soil. Removal of the main taproot leads to the development of a large number of superficial growths.
• Branches. Pruned during the dormant period in winter. Flowering plants are best trimmed in the fall to ensure abundant flowering next summer on young twigs. Removal of part of the branches is carried out to the place of formation of the extreme bud.

Features of agricultural technology of some types of bonsai

You can grow Chinese bonsai from almost any plant. Suitable species for a miniature copy can be from the group of deciduous, coniferous, flowering, fruiting. Each future decorative tree has its own planting and care rules.

Flowering and fruiting trees

Cultivation can be carried out by the rootstock method or from seeds. The first option is used for common fruit trees (apple, cherry, plum), the second is suitable for citrus and other exotic specimens.

Simple fruit seeds are suitable for planting flowering bonsai. They should be ripe and firm without damage. For safety net, several seeds are planted at once. Prepare the pot and soil. Drainage is laid out at the bottom of a flat container, filled with earth and seeds are placed to a depth of 1 cm. The next year, the plant is transplanted and the central root is broken. This will restrain the active growth of the shoot, limit stretching.

Coniferous trees

The most beautiful and difficult to grow bonsai species. Juniper, cedar, spruce are suitable for creating decor. Seed planting is carried out in early spring. Prior to this, the material extracted from the opened cones is subjected to stratification - they are kept for several months under low temperature conditions to soften the seed coat. This procedure will prepare the embryo for development, facilitate its germination.

You can plant coniferous seeds in prepared pots with sifted coarse sand. For this, shallow grooves are made, seeds are placed there, sprinkled with sand and watered. To create a greenhouse effect, the containers are wrapped in polyethylene.

How to grow bonsai from a bonsai

An unpretentious money tree in an apartment usually grows to impressive sizes. You can give it a special appeal and miniature size using the popular bonsai technique. You can get a realistic composition if you follow the recommendations and rules for growing a fat woman:

• Selection of planting material. The money tree propagates very easily. Bonsai can be formed from a single lateral shoot or grown from scratch from a leaf.
• Pot selection. The container that is suitable for most types of bonsai is not suitable for the bonsai. For its full development, the formation of a solid trunk, a lot of space is required. An already mature tree is transplanted into a smaller pot.
• Formation of a tree. It is possible to make a dense single trunk only after growing long side branches. The fat woman, by its nature, already has a massive trunk, but you can give it the desired shape by growing tops. The branches are trimmed almost at the base. New leaves are formed at the cut sites. It is also necessary to periodically remove large leaves.

When choosing a variety of bastard to create a natural decor, one should take into account the growth rate of leaves and development of roots in each. Variegated plants grow much slower than normal plants.

How to grow ficus bonsai

The creation of a bonsai from ficus includes complex continuous work with the root system, trunk, crown. The following varieties form a strong stem well: Sacred ficus, Benjamina, Panda, Ginseng.

First of all, choose the shape of the tree. It can be a single fit, double plexus, or grove. The desired shape is given to the roots by repeated cutting of the main shoot. Because of this, the plant will grow in width and not upward. Young ficus is planted only in a spacious container.

Pruning of branches and roots of ficus bonsai is carried out often, since new ones grow very quickly. This must be done until the moment when the adult plant takes the desired shape. The desired shape is given to the trunk by the garter method - the top is tilted and tied to the base. They also use insulated wire - they wrap the stem, branches, and fix them in any position.

Sakura bonsai at home from seeds

Sakura seeds can be ordered from specialized online stores. Experts recommend purchasing seed material with a stock, since there is a high probability that most of the seeds will simply not sprout. You should also be prepared for all difficulties, be patient. It will take 10-20 years to grow a full-fledged tree. Planting at home is as follows:

1. For a day or two before sowing, the seeds are soaked in water.
2. Prepare the soil, slightly moisten it.
3. A deepening is made in the soil up to 1 cm, seeds are laid out in it and sprinkled.
4. The container for germinating seeds is covered with plastic wrap, placed in the refrigerator and kept there for two months. The stratification process is necessary for the natural awakening of seeds, the transition to the growth phase.
5. Having withstood a certain period, the container is placed in the room. For normal germination, the plant should be provided with a constant temperature regime and good lighting.
6. When the seedlings grow up a little, they are dived, transplanted into separate flat pots so that the root system cannot grow.

Bonsai made of cardboard at home

It will take more than one year to grow a small tree. However, you can decorate the interior with artificial models, which will take much less time to create. Also, crafts will be an excellent gift for friends and family. You can build a structure from any available materials.

Materials and tools:

• pencil, paper;
• scissors;
• PVA glue;
• cardboard;
• artificial lilac flowers;
• shallow wooden box;
• bulk material to create a base.

How to create a bonsai from cardboard - step by step instructions

1. For clarity, draw a sketch on a piece of paper.
2. We cut out the first blank in the form of a circle or an oval from the cardboard, make the subsequent ones a little smaller in area.
3. We lay the largest workpiece face up, glue the next one to it, until we form a tree trunk.
4. Cut out a rectangle in the shape of the cardboard box.
5. We put it on the bottom of the base and glue the trunk to it.
6. We fill the box with sand, put pebbles on top.
7. We form a crown, glue artificial lilac flowers.

Bonsai are dwarf, but absolutely healthy and very beautiful trees, which are cultivated in Japan. It is not easy to grow bonsai according to all the rules, as these plants require special attention and care. If you want to start growing bonsai from seed at home, then use the tips from this article.

Initially, bonsai originated in China, where it was called "pencai", and only later this ancient art passed to Japan and developed there. Legend has it that one of the emperors wished to build a miniature copy of his empire, and it was for her that these dwarf trees were grown. Today, these dwarf trees are increasingly used to decorate the interior with their own hands, which not every housewife can grow with their own hands.

Bonsai tree formation

To grow the right bonsai, you need to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and skills. This is a very complex art, but, nevertheless, fascinating and mysterious in its own way. For planting, seeds, cuttings and cuttings can be used. Including for their cultivation take small wild trees growing in strict conditions of the wild environment. Severe frosts, strong winds and long droughts stop or slow down the growth of the tree. Approximately the same tactic of influence is applied in the art of bonsai.

The roots and branches of dwarf trees are pruned according to a special system, and the branches are also twisted and tied with copper wire. Unnecessary buds, shoots and leaves are removed, and tree trunks can be pulled back or bent so that they have the shape chosen by the owners. Bonsai growth is slowed down by the following influences:

Shrinking its roots.

The minimum volume of pots.

Coarse soil with almost no micronutrients.

Lack of essential nitrogenous substances.

Impact by wind.

Exposure to heat.

Exposure to sudden chilling.

With an excess of light and an insufficient amount of nitrogenous substances in plants in the wild, chlorophyll grains stick together and die. Plants living in swamp conditions, where there is high humidity, receive protection from solar excess - they have formed small leathery leaves and a fairly thick cuticle.

In addition to growth restrictions, bonsai has other rules that apply to the shape chosen for the tree. Naturalness and proper shape are two components of the appearance of a dwarf tree. There are many common types of bonsai that differ from each other in shape and sometimes in size. And although, according to the general law, the height of a tree should not exceed thirty centimeters, now specialists in this field have begun to grow trees even larger.

The wood species used will also affect the overall appearance of the resulting bonsai tree. For example, a coniferous species will please the eye all year round, since it has no leaves to fall off. Bonsai with beautiful fruits or flowers will show itself in all its glory at certain times of the year. There are even species that have the brightest leaf color in autumn.

Types of bonsai for growing at home

As stated above, the types of bonsai trees differ from each other in shape as well as placement in the pot. There are many of them, and here are the most common ones:

1. "Symmetrical" (tekkan) - a tree that grows upright and has strong roots. It differs in that it also has a wide barrel. The breeds used for it are very different, you can find birch, pine, and elm.

2. "Rock" (sekizhezhu) - an imitation of a rocky landscape. Very often cherries or oak are grown for her.

3. "Tilted" (shakan) - unlike the straight "tekkan", a dwarf tree of this type is slightly tilted to the side of the vertical line.

4. "Bent by the wind" (Kengai) - this bonsai is similar to the "shakan", but it is inclined even more, as if a strong wind was blowing on it for many years. Sometimes such a tree can sink even below its pot. Branches of this type also correspond to the effect of a strong and long wind - they have the same direction. At the same time, it is important that the kengai pot is stable, because it is not surprising that in this case it is important to maintain balance in the composition.

5. "Dead tree" (shalimiki) - a tree that has no bark. At the same time, it really seems that it is dying or is already inanimate.

6. "Two trunks" (kabudati) is a bifurcated trunk and a common crown. There are also two trees in one pot, but they usually grow from one point.

7. "Hieroglyphs" (bunzings) - such a tree has a crown of leaves only at the top of the branches, which the trunk is almost devoid of. It is believed that conifers in this case will look especially interesting.

8. "Multi-stem" (ese-ue) - like "kabudati", this is not a single tree, but several bonsai trees combined in one pot. In this case, there is an imitation of a miniature forest.

9. "Half-cascade" (khan-kengap) - the base of this type of bonsai tree grows straight up, but then the trunk begins to tilt down. In this case, the stability of the container in which the bonsai grows is also important.

In addition to the tree itself, the pot may contain tiny houses and figures, and the ground is often covered with small stones or green moss. You can create a whole composition from a bonsai tree that imitates a natural landscape.

Also Read: How to Make Beaded Bonsai

Bonsai care at home

When purchasing a ready-made tree, you need to know the rules for caring for this plant. After all, bonsai must be cut on time, properly fed and provided with the right amount of water. It is in winter that especially large shoots are removed from it and cut according to the chosen shape. For such operations, only clean and sharp instruments are used. When replanting, it is necessary to remove the main, thick roots of the tree in order to ensure slow growth.

Watering the bonsai tree is frequent, albeit not very plentiful. It should be noted that the amount of moisture required also depends on the breed, because, as you know, conifers need a smaller portion of water than deciduous ones. Spraying the tree is very desirable. Every week in the summer, the dwarf tree needs to be fed, and not with ordinary fertilizers, but with special ones designed specifically for such trees. In winter, this is done only once a month.

Growing bonsai at home, as well as caring for it, requires adherence to certain rules. In this case, you will be able to grow beautiful trees for interior decoration in the style of ecological minimalism. Experiment and expand your collection of indoor plants with new species.