How to create a Bonsai tree (DIY)

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide to creating and caring for a Bonsai tree, using a four-year-old Juniper as an example. It walks viewers through the full process: inspecting and cleaning the tree, pruning branches to shape a compact design, wiring the trunk and branches for structure, and carefully repotting the tree into an aesthetically pleasing Bonsai pot. The tutorial emphasizes safety and best practices, such as pruning only up to one-third of foliage and roots, and monitoring wires to avoid damage. Ideal for beginners, it also highlights additional courses and resources for learning Bonsai design in greater detail.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Starting your Bonsai journey is easiest with a starter kit and a young Juniper tree.
• 🪴 Carefully remove the top layer of soil and examine the roots to determine the best front of the tree.
• ✂️ Remove dead branches, dangling growth, and dead foliage to reveal the tree’s structure for design planning.
• 🔪 Pruning is essential for creating a compact design; up to 1/3 of the foliage can be safely pruned.
• 🌀 Wiring the trunk and branches allows you to shape the tree; use a 45-degree angle when wrapping the wire.
• 💪 Bend the trunk and branches gradually to create a natural, less formal appearance, starting from the lower branches upwards.
• 🔗 Secure branches with wire properly, making sure to wrap at least once around the trunk for stability.
• 🏺 Prepare the Bonsai pot with drainage holes, mesh, and wires before repotting the tree.
• 🌿 Prune roots carefully and add soil to the pot, positioning the tree slightly off-center for aesthetic display.
• 💧 After repotting, water the tree and wait a month before fertilizing; check that wires are not damaging branches over time.
• 🎓 For more detailed guidance, Bonsai Empire offers online courses including 'Getting Started with Bonsai' and 'Bonsai Beginners’ Course.'

Q & A

What is the recommended way to start learning Bonsai art?

The best way to start is by buying a starter kit and growing and training a Bonsai tree yourself.

What type of tree is used in the video as an example?

A four-year-old Juniper plant is used as the example tree.

Why is it important to remove the top layer of soil at the beginning?

Removing the top layer of soil helps reveal where the first roots appear, which is essential for determining the best front of the tree and planning its design.

What is the purpose of cleaning the tree by removing dead branches and foliage?

Cleaning reveals the structure of the tree, helping in designing and shaping it effectively.

How much foliage can safely be pruned from a Bonsai tree?

You can safely prune up to one-third of the tree’s foliage.

What is the main purpose of wiring in Bonsai care?

Wiring allows you to bend and shape the trunk and branches to create the desired compact, natural, or artistic form of the tree.

How should wiring be applied to the branches and trunk?

Wire the trunk at a 45-degree angle and wrap branches carefully, holding the branch with one hand and the wire with the other. Ensure stability by wrapping the wire around the trunk when wiring multiple branches.

What steps are involved in repotting a Bonsai tree?

Repotting involves preparing a pot with drainage holes, covering them with mesh, untangling and pruning roots, placing the tree slightly off-center, securing it with wires, adding soil, and filling air pockets.

When should you water and fertilize the Bonsai after repotting?

The tree should be watered immediately after repotting, but fertilizing should wait for one month to allow the tree to adjust.

What resources are recommended for beginners to learn Bonsai in detail?

Beginners can enroll in online courses such as the 'Getting Started with Bonsai Course' and the 'Bonsai Beginners’ Course' at bonsaiempire.com/courses.

Why is pruning considered the most difficult part of creating a Bonsai tree?

Pruning requires careful judgment to remove the correct branches and foliage to achieve balance and desired design without damaging the tree.

How do you ensure that wires do not damage the branches over time?

You should periodically check the wires after a few months and adjust or remove them if they start to cut into the branches.