Hi everyone

Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:

"Bonsai", the art of growing and designing miniature trees.

Bonsai is something that requires quite a lot of patience on your behalf as well as a little bit of knowledge. It actually not as difficult as you might think. In this week's Gardening Weekly we are going to have a look at 4 things you should know that will get you well on your way.

Bonsai Are Not Houseplants.

The majority of bonsai are actually outdoor plants and should remain outdoors all year long. Of course, just because they should be outside for the most part does not mean that they cannot be brought indoors briefly so they can be enjoyed there too. Bonsai are temperate climate plants that actually require a period of dormancy. Why? Well it is actually a survival strategy that temperate climate species have evolved to stay alive during the winter months. They cleverly have an internal clock that tells them when they should slow down their growth activity. They can therefore survive pretty extreme and cold temperatures. The home bonsai artist will therefore need a place your bonsai outside.

You Must "Train" Your Bonsai.

Bonsai don't just end up in those wonderful shapes by themselves, they have to be "trained" through a number of different techniques. This can be accomplished through manipulating the trunk and branches through pruning and wiring. This is where the heart of the bonsai artistry resides. To make mistakes in this area of training could lead to catostrophic results. Don't be disheartened though, because with some correct, simple training and time anyone can learn how to correctly train their bonsai.

Bonsai Must be Watered And Fed.

Bonsai are no different to any other plant life, they require three things to survive: sun, food and water. Assuming your bonsai resides primarily outside, as the bonsai artist, your primary concern is to feed and water your trees. Feeding your bonsai with the proper nutrients and trace elements is crucial to promote the proper and healthy growth. Like most plants, there is a right and a wrong way to water and this is probably the most common mistake made by beginners. Again, with the proper teaching resource, whether that is a Master Bonsai artist or a reputable how to book, anyone can easily learn how to properly care for their bonsai.

Be Patient, Bonsai Require Time.

You must remember that growing bonsai is truly an art form. For many first time bonsai artists think that "owning' a bonsai is what it is all about. Don't be fooled, this is not what bonsai is all about. It is about the enjoyment of caring for the bonsai and ultimately their creation. This takes time. As an aspiring bonsai artist you will need time to learn how to properly care for and train your tree, but you must also have the time to see it come to fruition. Bonsai are not created over night. A typical bonsai may not even be placed into a bonsai pot until after a few years of training. Don't rush the process, enjoy it! It's more about the journey than the destination.

For a great way to learn more about the truly wonderful world bonsai, take a look at our page at Bonsai Gardening Secrets.

Watch Out For Your Next Gardening Weekly Entitled:

Growing Orchids In The Home

Bye for now!

The My Gardening Home Blog Team