Q&A for How to Start a Bonsai Tree

You should use a soil that is appropriate for the plant you are trying to grow. Some plants will prefer a sandy soil, while others will like more of a loam. Always use well draining soil. Some bonsai plants will be able to grow indoors. It depends on the indoor environment (sun exposure, humidity, temperature, etc). Ficus, Hawaiian Umbrella, Serissa, Gardenia, Camellia, Kingsville Boxwood are all bonsais you can try to grow indoors.

Early spring when new growth on the plant is obvious. Take a cutting of a stem with vigorous new growth.

You can keep a bonsai tree inside your room provided you choose the right tree type that can cope with indoor living. The best tree choices are shade-loving subtropical and tropical trees, such as the jade plant, dwarf jade, gardenia, camellia and Hawaiian umbrella tree.

First, you’ll need to select the tree species you want to grow (choose by size and type). Then, choose a suitable shallow container and appropriate soil for the plant species. You’ll need to prepare the plant’s roots before planting in the soil. Full instructions for choosing, preparing the plant and growing it into a bonsai tree are set out in the steps above.

Ensure the container size is adequate and the soil is of good quality. Check that the plant is getting sufficient shade and sunlight. Protect it from extreme temperatures, including fluctuations between extremes (cover or bring it indoors, if needed). Provide it with sufficient food and water. For more help on keeping your bonsai healthier, see How to Keep a Bonsai Tree Healthy .

The jade tree is ideal for bonsai. It's is easy to grow and easy to turn into bonsai. It's low maintenance and will cope with sub-optimal conditions, such as shade and inadequate water. It's a good plant for pruning and keeping small.

When making juniper into bonsai, you will need to hold off on too much pruning in order to get a thicker trunk. You''ll need to plant it in a large container and let it grow at will, and leave the pruning alone for a few years. Let branches grow as these help the trunk thicken, then prune them off after 3 or 4 years. It might also help to obtain the juniper tree from a bonsai grower who is already growing ones with good, thick trunks.

While the length of time depends on the plant, an average time from planting the seed to developing a bonsai tree ready for shaping is about 5 years. Some species may be faster, such as tropical trees, but it really depends on the species, growth conditions and level of care.

You could try making almost any tree into a bonsai tree but due to vigorous growth and the size of some larger trees, they may sometimes be a bit quite large; for example, some Eucalyptus trees that have been subject to bonsai techniques can end up looking like potted shrubs. Also, some trees won’t grow well unless they’re in the right climate, so be sure your bonsai can cope with your local climate and conditions. Some good trees for bonsai include: Juniper, pines, spruces, cedars, magnolia, elms and oaks.

Most bonsai is grown for outdoor environments using temperate climate trees. You can keep a bonsai tree indoors but this will limit the types of trees you can use to those that can cope with indoor environments (shade-loving subtropical and tropical trees usually cope best). Some good choices for indoor bonsai include: The jade plant, dwarf jade, gardenia, camellia, weeping fig, dragon plant, Hawaiian umbrella tree and Christmas cactus, among others.

There are no bonsai seeds. You can create bonsai out of literally any tree or shrub. 'Bonsai' is just the name for a certain way of trimming/shaping trees.

Wrapping wire around the branches of the tree so you can bend and reposition the branches. After a few months, when the branches are set in their new shape, you can remove the wire. You can use annealed copper wire or anodized aluminum wire. How to Grow and Care for a Bonsai Tree goes into this a little more.

No. Specialized bonsai soil is recommended, which is a well-draining mixture. Different bonsai growers use different soil recipes, but a simple one is two parts lava rock, one part bark chips. You want the soil to have lots of drainage.

Trim the roots only when you repot the tree, about once a year. At that time, trim the thicker roots to allow room for growth.

There is no special seed for bonsai. Bonsai is the art form of dwarfing a tree that would otherwise grow normally, by keeping it in a pot and pruning it Wiring is then used to make it look like a full grown tree in nature -- all as explained in the article. You can buy dwarf varieties of plants though, if that is of interest to you.

Mango, but you may try lemon. If you live in India, try "gulmohar" tree.

Yes. You can use any type of seed for a tree or bush for your bonsai. Any tree can be dwarfed to become a bonsai. It is all in the technique of pruning it and trimming its roots.

Defoliating the tree, if it's deciduous. Research your specific species of tree first.

No. That will kill the tree.

Oak trees are hardy for the temperature and climate.

It depends on your tree, but a good rule of thumb is to water your plant when the soil starts feeling dry or looks dusty.

Use balance NPK 10-10-10 in medium and small quantity. Use 10-15% leaf compost in bonsai soil. Do not over fertilize as it may kill the roots.

The type of soil you will need will depend on the needs of the plant you will grow. Consider mainly the region of the world that your plant comes from, and where geographically it would grow naturally within that landscape. However, a vast majority of plants will be happy in, "loam" soils, meaning a blend of sand, silt, and clay. Too much sand and soil will not retain enough water and nutrients. Too much clay, and neither water nor roots will be able to pass through the soil, leading to rot or stunted growth.

Mango or lemon trees would thrive in that type of climate.

It's purely an aesthetic choice. They may help to prevent some moisture loss. But if you find that a tree without pebbles or moss is more appealing, then go for it!

Use a tree that suits your climate.

It grows, but we trim it to control the growth.

You shouldn't cut it more than 5-7 centimeters for fear of damaging the tree.

Yes, you can use wire to shape it but don't trim it in the spring and summer and do not trim the roots.

Snipping the main root it will cut down the water supply to the entire tree. It's best to stick with trimming branches and wiring.