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Welcome to our articles page, where you can browse our bonsai-related content. Review general information, how-tos and tips as you get started on your own bonsai journey!
The 7 Essentials of Bonsai Field Collecting
Have you ever noticed a young tree that shows great potential for bonsai growing wild in a field, woods or even landscaping? Field collecting was the original way to obtain bonsai trees, and it remains a common practice among modern day hobbyists....
Bonsai Gift Ideas for Summer Occasions
Bonsai gifts are perfect choices for special occasions when there is a bonsai enthusiast in your life. With Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations and summer birthdays just around the corner, this article offers inspiration for a variety of gifts...
Ficus Bonsai Offer Enjoyment Year-round
Looking for a low-maintenance bonsai you can keep indoors year-round? You need look no further than the familiar ficus. Yes, this common houseplant enjoys popularity in the world of bonsai as well. Ficus are among the easiest indoor...
A Pair of Tropical Shohin Bonsai
Small shohin-sized bonsai are popular with both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts. Tropical bonsai are kept indoors during cold weather and can be worked almost any time of year. Combine the two and you have an ideal mid-winter...
Bonsai Wiring Basics
One of the unique aspects of bonsai practice is the use of wire to shape trees. Let’s delve into the reasons for wiring bonsai, the typical types and sizes of wire, and how to apply wire to trees. Those new to the hobby are sometimes intimidated by...
Bonsai Size Classifications
The practice of bonsai classifies trees into categories based on factors such as height and ease of handling the tree. Some classes of bonsai require extra attention and maintenance, while other sizes offer easier care for beginners and experienced...
12 Holiday Bonsai Gift Ideas for the Bonsai Enthusiast in Your Life
For those who would like to give a bonsai-related gift this holiday season, but aren’t certain where to start, we offer a selection of bonsai gift ideas sure to delight hobbyists who practice the art. In addition, we offer tips on purchasing live...
The Interesting History of Bonsai
The rich history of bonsai dates back more than 2,000 years. It is a story of cultural exchange, of religious and mystical influences, and of simplicity through discipline. Most people familiar with bonsai know that this ancient living art...
The Best Species for Maple Bonsai
Maples, particularly Japanese maples, figure among the most iconic bonsai subjects. This article explores why maples are so popular in the hobby, compares the suitability for bonsai of common maple species and varieties, and provides an overview of...
Bonsai Feeding and Fertilizing
This article looks at considerations involved in bonsai feeding, including the elements that trees need for nutrition and how to use the various types of fertilizer. Most of us know the “right” kinds of foods we should be eating to maintain good...
Using Bonsai Accent Plants for Tree Displays
A traditional bonsai practice is to use smaller accent plants to complement a tree on display. Let’s explore the characteristics of good bonsai accent plants, along with how to use and care for them. If you’ve ever attended a bonsai exhibition, you...
A Simple DIY Bonsai Display Bench
As bonsai practitioners add more and more trees to their collections, they inevitably need a bonsai display bench. This article provides details on building an attractive bench from wood and concrete blocks, as well as a more basic version...
Concave Cutter: An Indispensable Bonsai Tool
In this article, we’ll unpack details about the concave cutter, explore buying considerations, discuss how to use it, and cover how it differs from similar tools. Ask any bonsai enthusiast what they consider to be the most important bonsai tool...
A Boxwood Bonsai from Nursery Stock
Boxwoods, with their small, evergreen leaves, make very nice bonsai subjects. They are also readily available from nurseries and garden centers in a variety of sizes. This article walks through the initial pruning and potting of an inexpensive...
A Japanese Holly Bonsai for Under $7
Evergreen and berry-producing, hollies make interesting bonsai subjects. This article walks through the initial pruning and potting of a small, nursery-bought Japanese holly. It details the styling decisions made in the process of transforming the...
The Best Time to Prune Bonsai
It's important for beginning bonsai hobbyists to learn how to care for trees at different times of the year. Those just starting out may not be aware that the best time to prune bonsai depends on the season. In this article, we’ll explore the...
Juniper Bonsai: Small-leaved Gems with Big Bonsai Potential
Junipers have gained a reputation as some of the most common – and most iconic – species used for bonsai. This article focuses on the characteristics that have earned juniper bonsai their well-deserved popularity. Most bonsai practitioners, if...
You Can Be Successful at Bonsai: 7 Concerns Debunked
Many people are interested in the hobby, but worry they won’t be successful at bonsai. They fear killing their trees and are apprehensive about the difficulty and expense. We’ll address some of these concerns and demonstrate that the hobby can be...
A Bonsai Tool Dilemma: Quality or Quantity?
In this article, we’ll examine the pros and cons of investing in inexpensive bonsai multi-tool sets, as well as other strategies for acquiring the tools needed for the hobby. The practice of bonsai requires some specialized tools. Beginners in the...
Mass Market Bonsai: 5 Reasons to Avoid Bonsai from Big Box Stores
Mass market retailers commonly stock small plants labeled as “bonsai” and intended primarily for gift giving. Let’s take a look at how well plants like these stack up to accepted standards for bonsai. While browsing at my grocery retailer recently,...
Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Bonsai Pot
In this article, we’ll explore guidelines for choosing a bonsai pot, look at why most trees need a bigger pot in the initial stages of training, and discuss preparing the pot for planting. The practice of bonsai is an artistic endeavor. It follows...
5 Essential Bonsai Tools for Beginners
It’s possible to get started in bonsai with a minimal investment in tools. Those new to the hobby who choose simple initial projects should be able to get by with just the five bonsai tools for beginners covered in this post. As an added bonus,...
Choosing Your First Bonsai Tree: 10 Varieties to Consider
When it comes to choosing a first bonsai tree, beginners can easily get overwhelmed by the wide variety of plants and trees that can be used for the hobby. In this article, we provide guidance on shopping by size and suggest a number of species...
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Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.
John Muir