Maintenance Tips for a Fabulous Indoor Bonsai
Bonsai plants are extremely attractive specimens of age old practice. There are many people who choose to have bonsai plants in their homes because of their beautiful appearance. However, indoor bonsai trees require some extra maintenance. This is mostly because they do not receive the full benefits of natural sunlight and natural weather conditions. They may look to be quite hardy. But certain types of bonsai are quite picky in their water and light requirements.
Watering Your Indoor Bonsai
When you bring a bonsai tree indoors it will require lighting to replace the natural sunlight that it would have been receiving beforehand. You also need to keep an eye on the frequency of watering. Bonsai plants will also be benefited if they are placed in a well ventilated area. The water requirements of your bonsai plant will depend on what type it is. Another key factor is the soil. There are those bonsai trees and plants that need damp soil, while others do just fine with drought like conditions.
It may be necessary for you to mist your plant. Your bonsai will thrive with the extra humidity and the rainforest environment this creates. If you decide to use a humidity tray then ensure that the pot is not exposed to the water, but rather placed on some pebbles or a stand.
Bonsai Cutting and Pruning
Indoor bonsai trees still require pruning and cutting on a regular basis in order to maintain their appearance. Simply because bonsai plants look as though they are frozen in time, does not mean that they do not grow. Indoor and outdoor bonsai plants need to be repotted somewhere between every year to three years, depending on the variety. Maintaining the branches is also essential if you want it to hold its shape and style.
Cutting back on the amount of fertilizer during the cold months is usually recommended, depending on the bonsai variety. This is because some species of bonsai hibernate during this season. Therefore, they won’t need the amount of nutrients that they do in the warmer seasons. Because of the artificial environment in which they are kept, indoor bonsais don’t experience the complete cycle of seasons.
You also need to keep an eye on your indoor bonsai for pests and other irregularities. An indoor bonsai is very attractive to mites, spiders and other pests. It’s best to gently and carefully clean the branches and leaves using either a damp, soft cloth or a soft brush.
By following these tips for bonsai care, your tree is sure to be an attractive feature of your home for years to come.