A Complete Guide To Growing A Beautiful Indoor Bonsai – Part II

My past article on Indoor Bonsai focused entirely on what distinguishes an indoor bonsai plant, and how it is different from an outdoor bonsai plant. In this Part II I am going to detail the correct way to choose the very best plant material for your bonsai, and additionally supply a summary of 4-5 plants and trees which are extremely suitable as indoor bonsai, in addition to being highly ideal for the student bonsai enthusiast.

You have a good deal of alternatives as to where you will obtain your plants for your bonsai project. A specialized bonsai nursery is normally the very best place to buy a bonsai tree, and here you will be able to find out what kind of potting mixture can be used and when the plant needs to be repotted.The very best location to search for bonsai plants and trees is at a nursery that are experts in bonsai trees. The men and women at the nursery can provide you with a great deal of care suggestions, including the kind of potting material that was used, and when it should be re-potted next. You will find a great deal of already established bonsai plants at these nurseries, however understand that you’ll spend a lot of money for these plants. Neighborhood garden centers may be another good place to shop for plants and trees for your indoor bonsai project, and they’ll be more affordable compared to buying them from a bonsai nursery.

Because many common house plants may be trained as a bonsai you could possibly begin by examining plants you currently have at home to determine if any are appropriate. It would be a lot less unpleasant money-wise if you lose one of your first plants if you were able to use a plant that you already have. Regardless of the species of plant you choose be sure that it is healthy as this will dramatically enhance it’s prospects for success.

Carefully check any plant that you’re contemplating buying for any indicators of insect damage or disease. This is necessary whether you are purchasing from a bonsai nursery or a garden center. The buds ought to be fresh with firm young shoots. You will be able to tell if the plant has not been getting enough water because the buds will be dried up. Trunks and branches should be strong and healthy. Whether buying an already established bonsai, or purchasing a houseplant to make your own bonsai, it is a great idea to study the different styles of bonsai before you go. This will help you identify plants with the best shape, balance, and proportion.

Here is a list of some of the most widely used plants for indoor bonsai and that are ideal for novice bonsai growers.

Java Fig (Ficus benjamina) You can buy this as a houseplant and train it as a bonsai yourself, or it is widely available as an established bonsai. The Ficus benjamina is native to the warmer climate of southeast Asia and is an evergreen. Styles to consider: informal upright, slanting, broom, cascade, semi-cascade.

Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) This plant is commonly available as an established bonsai. You can also buy it as an ordinary houseplant and train it yourself. This is a tree that can be grown either indoors or outdoors. When grown indoors it will stay green year round.

Chinese Box (Murraya paniculata) Available as an established bonsai or as a houseplant to be modified. The Chinese box is a favorite indoor bonsai plant. It is native to China and India. After flowering it produces small berries that change from orange to bright red.

California Juniper (Juniperus californica) This plant is commonly available as an established bonsai. You can also buy it as an ordinary houseplant and train it yourself. The California juniper is an evergreen and it’s foliage will stay green all year long. Some styles that can be considered for this plant are cascade and semi-cascade, formal and informal upright, broom, and slanting.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) Available as an established bonsai or as a houseplant to be modified. This plant is commonly seen as an ordinary houseplant but it does very well when trained as a bonsai. The Jade Plant shows best when trained in the slanting, informal upright, or broom styles.

This is of course only a very partial list of plants and trees that can be trained as indoor bonsai. As time passes you will discover more and more species and varieties of trees to include ion your bonsai collection.

Resource

Japanese bonsai gardening is a hobby that is fascinating, affordable, and easy to get involved in. Bonsai can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and can last a lifetime. Click this link to learn more about growing your very own indoor bonsai tree, and sign up for your FREE 7-part introductory mini-course on how to grow miniature bonsai trees. Or, to get started growing your own bonsai trees trees right away check out the highly regarded “how-to” bonsai book “Beautiful Bonsai Secrets”.