Going back thousands of years ago, the bonsai plant has a colorful history. The Chinese might have been the first race to prune and shape the bonsai plants but records show that bonsais were seen in Egyptian tombs 2000 years ago.

Records also show that Indian herbalists preserved these prized plants in small containers because of the dwarfish sizes 1500 years ago.

But of course, when talking about the modern cultivation of Bonsai, we often turn to the Chinese practice. They started growing the bonsai plant at a period when the peak was cultural learning. Later on, the Japanese adopted the hobby and even associated it to their belief in Buddha. Bonsai became a culture and an art for both the Chinese and the Japanese.

When choosing the right bonsai for you, you must be aware that there are two types: the temperate and the tropical.

Temperate bonsai can live in low temperatures, thanks to their shallow roots. It needs protection from the cold though. Examples of temperate bonsai are the maples and junipers.

Meanwhile, the tropical bonsai has difficulty adjusting to cold temperatures. As much as you can, protect it against frost. Examples of tropical bonsai are the ficus, serissa and bougainvillea.

Be aware of the temperature when you're buying a bonsai. Get one that won't have a hard time adjusting. If you're thinking of getting a bonsai that'll be outdoors 24-7, then get one that can handle it.

If you are getting a bonsai that will be put inside the home, at least, make sure that it gets the right amount of sunlight and enough water. An indoor bonsai needs more water than one grown outdoors.

Generally, bonsai enthusiasts purchased these plants so that they could prune and shape it themselves. If you already have a design in mind, then you should consider this as a factor in deciding what kind of bonsai you'd buy.

Styles of bonsai vary from easy to complicated. But do not worry; there are hundreds of bonsai books you can read.

Whichever style you crop, prune or shape your bonsai, as long as you make sure that the plant gets the sunlight and the water it needs, it will surely bloom and become the plant that you want it to be.

With each bonsai, you'd soon find yourself hooked!

If you've a bonsai plant, it's important to remember that caring for them is akin to caring for a baby. Loving and caring is required but it's not sufficient; you also have to show certain "parenting" skills to ensure that your bonsai plant will enjoy a long and healthy life.

Tip #1 Water is the source of life for all creatures but it's especially so for bonsai plants. Even though they need to be watered more frequently than other types of plants, they also need a precise amount of watering. Anything that's less or beyond the ideal amount of water can lead to your bonsai plant's death so it's important that you ask for professional advice.

Factors that affect the amount of water required by a bonsai plant include but aren't limited to the type of tree you're taking care of, what season it is at present, if the tree's grown outdoors or indoors, and so forth.

Tip #2 Light is another source of energy for your bonsai plant. Just like any other plant, your bonsai plant will benefit from exposure to sunlight. If you're growing it in an indoor garden, however, you will have to arrange for artificial lighting. In such instances, it's important to use a timer so that you avoid risking overexposure for your plants.

Tip #3 Humidity is unfortunately one of the most important but overlooked factors when taking care of bonsai plants; the best way to ensure that best humidity levels remain constant is by using a humidity tray. You can use decorative pebbles to make your bonsai plant appear more attractive.

Tip #4 If you are determined to keep your bonsai plant indoors, you've to choose the pot for your bonsai plant very carefully. To be safe, make sure that you buy pots which are specifically designed for bonsai plants. These pots have pre-made holes for drainage and training wires.

Tip #5 Many people are confused as to exactly what role fertilizer plays in taking care of bonsai plants. Firstly, fertilizer is needed when you're keeping your bonsai plant indoors because this provides the added nutrition that your indoor soil lacks. Secondly, fertilizer isn't medicine so do not use it as treatment for sick or dying trees. Lastly, make sure that you thoroughly water your bonsai plant before fertilizing.

Lastly, do not risk your bonsai plant's health on the basis of any assumption. If you are not sure, always ask for professional advice!

Proper tools are indispensable when caring for bonsai. But buying a whole new set of bonsai tools is not needed for beginners. If you are just starting to develop an interest in the art of bonsai, you only need a few basic tools to do the majority of the tasks involved to generate a simple and well-maintained bonsai to an award winning bonsai collection.

Here are some of the bonsai tools that you might need if you are seriously considering to grow bonsai.

Concave Pruner

This is the primary and probably the most essential bonsai tool that you should have. Its chief function is to cut branches in such a manner that it promotes a swift and leveled healing of the wound.

Bud Scissors

This short bladed tool with finger holes is an excellent handy tool that is ideal used to trim leaves, small branches, and buds. Because of its stout blades and unobtrusive handle, it has the advantage to do delicate work without compromising its slicing power and damaging some adjacent parts of the plant.

Bonsai Wire Cutters

Styling the bonsai generally makes use of wire in positioning and shaping the branches and trunk. Although wire cutters available from hardware stores can be used to cut the wire prior to putting it to the bonsai, you cannot use it to cut the wire when removing it for it will surely damage the branch or truck where the wire is closely attached. Bonsai wire cutters should be used because their short and small blades have the advantage of doing the job done without doing any harm to the plant.

Knob Cutter

Also known as the melon ball cutter, the knob cutter is another useful addition to your tool kit, though it is not as frequently used like the concave pruners and bud scissors. Shaped into two crescent moons coming together, it can easily and aggressively cut protruding stubs. It is efficient to quickly remove lots of unwanted wood but precise enough to contour the trunk or branch to it final shape.

Root Hooks

Removing soil and untangling roots are part of maintaining the bonsai. Depending on the size of the bonsai, the bonsai artist may need a greater variety of efficient tools. There are various root hooks available from single point that can do a good job with the least damage to multiple point tools that can do better but has greater probability of damaging fine roots.

If you're a novice bonsai artist, you might want to start with a concave pruner and a pair of bud scissors. As your expertise improves, you then have to consider adding more tools in your bonsai kit.

Watering
This is the most important aspect of caring for bonsai, especially for bonsai that's kept indoors for too long. Two things to remember about providing water for bonsai are the type of soil and species. Different soils will absorb and retain water at different rates and different tree species have varying degrees of water need.

The Japanese have a saying: water three times, each one for the pot, the soil and the tree. About 75% percent of water is taken in through the root system, but do not forget the leaves. Bonsai plants also acquire water through its stomata so make sure you wipe or wash away the dust and dirt regularly.

Use gentle water pressure when watering your bonsai. If you use a strong one, you might wash away the topsoil and expose the roots. Use a misting hose or a spray hose with an adjustable spray nozzle and mind the water temperature. Good tap water is fine, so take care that the water that comes out of the hose is not too cold or too warm.

Soil
Soil choice for your bonsai is critical for its health and long life. It really depends on the tree species of your bonsai, but generally, soil should be made of 30% humus and 70% grit for needled evergreen trees and 70% humus and 30% grit for deciduous trees. If you have a different bonsai species, make sure to look up which soil meets its special needs, since you might have to prepare a special soil mix yourself.

Pruning
Pruning involves leaves, branches and roots. Bonsai lovers know that what you do to the bottom, you do to the top. Remember that less foliage means less for the roots to support. But where to begin and which to cut?

First, consider the style you have chosen for a particular bonsai. Draw an imaginary line over your bonsai and cut the branches that protrude, obstruct or deviate from that line. Second, prune to redirect growth in one area. If you prune the left side heavily, you will redirect growth to the right side.

Next, prune leaves or buds with care. Pruning buds will encourage back-budding and cutting leaves will 'discipline' the growth of the bonsai. It is also necessary to manage the nutrients that the roots draw up from the soil. Remember that you're trying to grow a little tree and letting it grow on its own will result to an uncontrolled size.

Caring for bonsai takes lots of patience, knowledge and learned skills. It involves continuous work, but the results are more than worth the effort.

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If you're cultivating a Wisteria bonsai, your primary goal is to let it flower. This is done by following various techniques. Wisteria won't bloom if it hasn't reached a specific age. The normal age for it to bloom is ten years.

In the mean time, you can prune the shoots that have been developed and cut it to five to six inches against its trunk. Just leave 4 to 6 leaves on a shoot. This will encourage the flowering of the Wisteria bonsai.

Pruning must be performed when the flowering season has passed. It is also suggested that it be pruned thrice before the fall season comes. When it is mid-winter, cut the spurs to four inches and leave three buds.

After repeatedly pruning the Wisteria Bonsai, you will have to double the effort during winter. You've to control the growth of the bonsai especially at this time because it is more vigorous than normal. Let it produce a vast amount of leaves and flowers. By repeatedly pruning it, the foliage will be more compact and you'll see that the flowers it produces will be more colorful.

You can also repot the Wisteria bonsai as soon as you see the first sign of flowering. Provide your Wisteria bonsai with the right food and set it in a low nitrogen area. This is to let the Wisteria take in the nitrogen it needs. If it gets too much, it tends to overgrow in foliage instead of flowering. You can control this by choosing a fertilizer that is specific for a Wisteria bonsai.

Wisteria bonsai has the capability to withstand as much rain and sun. Nonetheless, you will have to protect these from the wind. Wisteria is one of the top bonsai an enthusiast can think about growing. They also need more water compared to other trees and shrubs. The key is keeping it moist as often as possible especially during the summer.

You can put it in a container and water it from time to time. Dry the tray out after watering so that the roots wouldn't drown. If the soil bottles up with too much water, then the root is waterlogged.

Train your Wisteria bonsai in various styles that you like. As long as the flowers are cascading, then watering the plant will not be any problem whatsoever. You can show off the flowers to your guests when they drop by for a visit.

You must remember to repot your Wisteria Bonsai every 2 to 3 years. Use the basic bonsai soil. Repot during early spring in order to assist you in the flowering and propagation of the Wisteria buds.

There are lots of types of bonsai trees that are sold on the market this day. The Ficus bonsai doesn't belong to the list of the fastest selling bonsais for nothing. First, it is naturally miniscule so pruning is easier for the gardener especially for a beginner.

Second, it is great to keep indoors. In fact, it is more beneficial for the plant to stay indoors rather than outdoors.

The Ficus bonsai has many types namely: The Golf Ball Ficus (or the so-called Ficus Benjamina), Root Over Rock Ficus, Chinese bonsai, Taiwan Ficus (this is also called the Banyan Fig), The Curved Shaped Trunk, and many more.

Here are a few tips in keeping your Ficus Bonsai:

1. Just like most bonsais, the Ficus likes to keep itself dry in between your waterings. If you want, you can touch the soil daily to be able to determine if it's time to water again. If your bonsai has a rock on its surface, lift the rock and feel the top portion of the soil. One good way of watering this type of bonsai is to put it in the sink and have the water level reach up to its trunk. This should be no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Drain afterwards.
2. The Ficus isn't 'choosy' when it comes to its lighting conditions. It could dwell in either a well-lighted place or a semi-lighted one. Others like to keep their Ficus in shady areas to ensure that it is kept away from the glaring afternoon sun. Although chemical fertilizers could be allowed, the organic ones are most preferred.
3. To be able to gauge the humidity around the Ficus, you can use a humidity tray (which has humidity stones). In the absence of this tray, you can use easy tray with stones and water.
4. Always keep the Ficus indoors during the winter season. Be sure to keep the plant in a well-lighted area during these months.
5. The Ficus should be transferred to a different pot each two years. Repot during springtime and make sure that ample water is given so that the roots might grow. A word of caution: make sure that it is kept in a shady area for a few weeks!

These are basic ways of caring for your Ficus bonsai. What you have is a thing of beauty. Be sure to have enough time and enough love to care for it.

There are two primary benefits you can enjoy if you select to build a bonsai nursery of your own and grow your bonsai trees from seed. Firstly, bonsai seeds are cheaper to procure than live bonsai trees. Whereas rare bonsai trees can cost you a considerable amount of money, a packet of seeds of the same bonsai tree species might just cost you $5.

Secondly, nursing bonsai trees from seed will give you God-like powers over each aspect of your plants. You can fully control all aspects of your bonsai tree to ensure that it grows according to your plans.

Tips on Nurturing Your Bonsai Nursery

Before planting any seed, take the time to prepare and plan about which shapes you desire for your bonsai plants to have in the future. Knowing what shape you wish to reach will consequently guide you as to which pot you should choose and how to wire your plant.

Since it will take you quite some time to see bonsai seeds sprout to life, you'll have no visible indicators to depend on when caring for your nursery. As such, make sure that you strictly keep a timetable for nurturing your bonsai nursery. Have a checklist for all the to-do tasks for your nursery to ensure that you do not miss anything important.

A clean environment is essential to your bonsai nursery's growth. Always make sure that your bonsai nursery itself as well as its surroundings is free from dirt, dust, or any other debris as these can easily affect the health conditions of your bonsai nursery.

Good ventilation and clean air are important for your bonsai nursery to grow to its fullest potential. Thus, if you're keeping it indoors, do make sure that you place it in the appropriate location. Anywhere near windows are ideal while placing them in proximity to fireplaces is undesirable.

Water and light are the main foods of your bonsai nursery. You can effectively satisfy the watering needs of your bonsai nursery even in winter by using a humidity tray. As for lighting, daily exposure to sunlight is sufficient but you will of course have to make plans for artificial lighting and use a timetable for it if you're keeping your bonsai nursery indoors.

A bonsai nursery definitely takes more time to nurture than procuring live bonsai trees but it's definitely a more rewarding goal. Good luck to taking care of your bonsai nursery!

Bonsai trees aren't difficult to care for. If you've the experience of rearing other household plants, then you're sure to succeed with a bonsai. The only difference of the bonsai trees to other plants is they're actually 'trees'. That being the case, they have the ability to be killed even if they are kept inside during the winter.

But if you think that planting a tree in a small container can magically turn into a bonsai, you're mistaken. It takes continuous shaping and pruning. It also depends on what kind of species you've.

Caring for bonsai is like a stylist caring for his client's hair. Not all cuts are essential. There's a particular cut or style that'll work better. The same goes out to a bonsai.

Bonsai trees are shrubs and trees. Their heights are stunted artificially tying the branches using wires or pruning the roots. This practice started in China and was later on adapted by Japanese.

Some bonsai enthusiasts go out and get a ready-made bonsai. Others like to make their own. What they do is they get seeds or cuttings and dig the bonsai plants themselves.

You can begin your bonsai hobby by taking care of a young shrub or tree. We advocate you rear bottlebrush, she oak, crepe myrtle, fig, silky oak and ironwood. Make sure to ask your nursery what are the recommended bonsai for your locale's temperature.

When selecting a plant, think about the following factors:
- the bonsai needs material which you'll work with so get a tree that has branches
- the bonsai's trunk should be wide, preferably its base
- the leaves should be small
- the branches should begin closely to the ground
- the plant must be healthy

Also, the pots must have holes for drainage. Pots that are glazed can be an obstacle for the plant to breathe. You can add your own creativity by choosing a pot for its texture and color, just as long as it is perfect for the plant you bought.

If you want to be guided thoroughly, in terms of pruning and shaping, there are hundreds of books about the subject in your local bookstores. Some even have illustrations of the works of renowned bonsai artists such as Matsuhito Kimura.

All you need is basic wiring and pruning skills. Soon enough, you will be able to change a rugged and mangy old bush and shrub into a well-shaped bonsai you can display in your centerpiece. Or if it's a bonsai tree you spent hours pruning, it can be the center of your garden.

The first ever appearance of the Bonsai plant was in China. A thousand years ago, the practice of growing specimen tree inside pots started. These were referred to as 'pun-sai'. These plants had rugged foliage and the trunks were often mistaken as animals such as birds and dragons.

Because of these, the Chinese bonsai often inspired the creation of legends and myths. Since the shape is often associated to serpents and dragons, caring for the plant has become an esteemed hobby in China.

Japan adopted the Chinese practice in the Kamakura period. Zen Buddhism was spreading around Asia and this was also the time when bonsai was introduced in Japan. Over the years, the plants were no longer limited in Buddhist monasteries for the Buddhist monks to care for. They became a symbol of the aristocrats. Soon enough, bonsai stood for honor and prestige in the Japanese culture.

Later on, the philosophy and ideals the bonsai held were challenged. Bonsai represented the mixture of ancient beliefs as well as the philosophies from the East that harmonizes man with his nature and his soul.

The Japanese elite brought the hobby of shaping bonsai indoors. It became a crucial part of Japanese culture. Bonsais were displayed on shelves inside households. These were no longer plants that were found in the garden. Pruning extended to the smaller trees.

In the 17th and 18th century, Japanese art reached its peak and was highly regarded by the surrounding cultures. Bonsai became an interesting collection for various races - not just the Japanese. This has established the art form all through out the other traditions and cultures around the globe.

Bonsai took on different styles. It varies from one technique to another but bonsai artists continue to take on the challenge by introducing a new concept one after another. It resulted to even small buildings becoming an art form. This is the art of bon-kei.

Bonsai exhibitions have been held in Vienna, Paris and London to name a few. This has surely made the world aware of bonsai art and culture. This phenomenal green movement also increased the demand for bonsai. Bonsai enthusiasts take on the study of pruning and shaping the plant.

Because of the changing times, bonsai has also reflected an evolution in its design to compliment the turns of modern times, as well as the bonsai enthusiasts' tastes. Add to the fact that the great variety inspired from the cultures and conditions of the countries practicing it.

Thrill junkies select to have hobbies that can make their blood rise all the more. Others like hobbies that grant them to adhere to the status quo. Some, however, like to find a hobby that can sufficiently engage their interest and alleviate the stress from their lives. If you belong to the last category, do think about making bonsai growing as your hobby as it can provide you with all the benefits you're looking for.

Benefits of Bonsai Growing as a Hobby
Long-Lasting - Plants are living creatures just like us. Moreover, they've the capability to even live longer than we do as long as we continually care for them properly. If you choose a bonsai growing hobby, it's definitely a hobby that can and will last a lifetime if you so wish.

Relaxing - There is something uniquely soothing about caring for bonsai plants. As you go about your daily routine in watering and slicing bonsai plants, you will find your stress slowly leaking away from your body until all you're left with is an overall feeling of contentment.

Profitable - Bonsai growing is definitely a profitable hobby if you care to make it. As long as you are able to maintain the best appearance for your bonsai plants, many people will be willing to buy them from youfor the right price, of course!

Tips for Bonsai Growing as a Hobby

Grow bonsai plants from small pots if you wish to mold or cut them into a particular shape. Make sure however that you cut them properly lest you wish risk harming your plants. There are various styles of pots that you can select from, so do make sure that you purchase the style that most appeals to your eye - and budget, of course!

If you do not live in an area where bonsai plants aren't native to, expect to see them grow yellowish leaves after two weeks. Although it's tempting to pluck them one by one, do not let yourself do it as this will only lead to more of these leaves growing.

Watering bonsai plants is a methodical process. It requires careful control of temperature and volume. To ensure that you're watering your bonsai plants correctly, it's ideal that you buy and use a humidity tray. Remember to spray water on them approximately twice a day.

With bonsai growing as a hobby, however, you'll have to dedicate a certain amount of space inside or outside your home for these plants to grow in comfort. But then again, since bonsai plants add beauty to anyone's home, whatever space you contribute to it is space well-used indeed!