Plant Care - Bonsai
What is Bonsai?
Bonsai is not a type of plant, but an art that expresses respect for living trees. The meaning of the word bon is pot or plate, while the meaning of the word sai is tree. In fact, it is possible to call Bonsai a tree in a pot. When we look at the history of Bonsai cultivation, it is possible to reach many legends and different information. However, the Japanese have definitely added an artistic dimension to Bonsai cultivation. Many tree species can take the form of Bonsai. Bonsai, whose philosophy is associated with the way to take place in the life cycle, growth and development, also depicts the harmony between man and heaven. Because these plants are expressed as a green staircase extending to heaven. Bonsais can turn your living spaces into a peaceful area with their many different varieties and forms.
What to Consider When Buying?
First, determine where you will look at the plant. The amount of light and the temperature of the environment are the determining factors. If you have not looked after a Bonsai before, start with species that are easier to care for. For indoor use, you can choose cypress, Chinese elm, jade, boxwood and ficus. For outdoor use, maple and zelkova are also easy-to-care for species. If you are experienced in care and confident in yourself, you can also choose species that require more attention and care, such as pine, beech, oak and dogwood. In line with all this information, make sure you choose the most suitable Bonsai species for yourself and never rush to care for and prune. Remember, Bonsai is an art form that expresses respect for living trees. Think about how you want your tree to look in the next 5-10 years and act accordingly. At the same time, Bonsai is a great gift option for people who contribute to your life cycle.
How to Water?
The most important thing in bonsai care is watering. You need to check your tree's leaves, soil and pot saucer regularly. It is important to water without drying the soil too much (the top 1 cm of the soil being dry indicates that it is time to water) and without leaving too much water in the pot saucer. While watering the soil from above, continue to spray water on the leaves of your tree.
How Should Light and Heat Be?
For indoor trees; If you do not have a bonsai species that especially likes shade, make sure that it gets plenty of light during the day. You can choose the places closest to the window as much as possible. However, make sure that it is not directly exposed to air currents. This will cause the plant to dry out quickly. If it gets light from only one side, changing its direction every few weeks will ensure that it benefits from an equal amount of sunlight. Remember that environments colder than 12-13 degrees are not suitable for bonsai. However, do not keep it in places very close to the radiator.
How Should Pruning Be Done?
Pinching: Pinch: Pinch is the name given to pinching to keep the new shoots under control in order to control the development of the bonsai. Since the new shoots are sensitive, you can easily pinch them with your hand.
Maintenance Pruning: It is a type of pruning done on the main branches that take shape every year or every two years. In this way, the bonsai is shaped in a controlled manner.
Shaping Pruning: It is a type of pruning done quite harshly to give the basic shape to the tree while it is still young.
How Should the Pot and Soil Be Changed?
Make sure that the soil is dry so that the roots are not damaged during the pot change and can be easily separated from the soil. Frequent soil changes create adaptation problems in the plant, but soil change every 2-3 years is suitable.
