How to create a Bonsai tree
The best way to start your journey into Bonsai art,
is to buy a starter kit and grow and train
a Bonsai tree yourself.
This tree is a Juniper plant which is about four years old.
After pruning, wiring and repotting, this was the result.
Now let’s start from the beginning
by removing the top layer of soil
to see where the first roots appear.
We carefully lift the tree from its pot
and remove loose soil using chopsticks.
Now that we can see where the main roots appear
we can decide on the best front of the tree.
We also take into consideration the shape and taper of the trunk
and the position of the main branches.
The next step is to carefully remove any dead branches
dangling growth or dead foliage using scissors.
This basic cleaning will reveal the structure of the plant
helping us in deciding how to design the tree.
Before cleaning
After cleaning
The next step is pruning.
To create a more compact design
we remove the top of the tree using a concave cutter.
This branch will be bent upwards later on
and function as the new apex.
Pruning is considered the most difficult part of creating a Bonsai tree.
Try to follow our lead
or consider enrolling in our “Getting Started with Bonsai course”
where we explain the process of Bonsai design in great detail.
For the curriculum and a free lesson
go to: bonsaiempire.com/courses
You can safely prune up to 1/3 of your tree’s foliage.
At this point, we are finished pruning the tree
and work starts on wiring the branches.
We start with wiring the main trunk
which is still flexible enough to bend.
Carefully wrap wire around the trunk at an angle of 45 degrees
holding the wire with one hand, and the trunk with the other.
Now we carefully bend the trunk to compact the tree
as well as to create a less formal appearance.
Next we wire the main branches
starting with the lower branches
and slowly working our way up to the apex.
Try to wire two branches with one piece of wire.
Between these two branches
make sure to wrap the wire at least once around the trunk for stability.
Hold the branch with one hand, and the wire with the other.
Reposition your fingers after each twist to protect the branch.
The wire should be thick enough to hold the branch
in the desired shape once we bend it.
This is the branch that will function as the apex of the tree.
Remaining wire can be cut off using a wire cutter.
Once you finish wiring the branches, you can start shaping them
moving your way up the trunk, towards the apex of the tree.
Next we prepare the Bonsai pot
before we start repotting.
A Bonsai pot should have at least one drainage hole.
We attach a mesh to cover this hole
with a short piece of wire.
We also prepare two long wires
which will be used later to attach the tree to the pot.
Next we untangle the roots carefully using chopsticks.
Using scissors we prune long roots.
We can prune up to 1/3 of the roots if needed.
Now we add some soil in the pot.
Place the tree slightly off-center in the pot
keeping in mind its front
and the most beautiful angle for displaying it.
Once you are satisfied with the placement
attach the tree to the pot using the wires we prepared earlier.
Now we add more soil.
Use chopsticks to make sure all air-pockets are filled with soil.
We have pruned, wired and repotted the tree.
So what’s next?
First we water the tree.
We will wait with fertilizing for a month
and make sure that the wires are not damaging the branches after a few months.
Before
After
On our website we offer several online courses
including our “Getting Started with Bonsai course”
and the “Bonsai Beginners’ Course”.
Again, for more information and free lectures
go to: bonsaiempire.com/courses