Craig Wilson's tips for better Bonsai...

General

Don't choose dwarf species for Bonsai. Too slow and not always desirable.

Select small needled pines

Choose varieties with short internodes

 

Maintenance

Maintain a regular daily maintenance. Bonsai do not thrive on their own.

Water well but don't over water.

Never keep a tree wet. Allow it to become dryish between waterings

Fertilise regularly (fortnightly) with weak solutions. Use 'hard' fertiliser around the edge of the pots. Heaviest feeding is in Autumn.

 

Essentials for trees

Water

Fertiliser

Wind

Sunshine

Even light for well-leaved branches

Rotate trees a quarter turn for good even light/growth

Pinch buds regularly to attain many branchlets and smaller leaves.

Cut leaves in half to force new strong buds and shoots

 

Things to look for

Maintain even, balanced growth by pruning

Use forefinger at pivot point of scissors to balance and give good aim

Always look for the '2 point' on the tree. ie where a single branch meets the trunk. 2 point is desirable.

When viewed from above, branches should be in the shape of a spear head or oval.

Always create trees with uneven branch distribution. More interesting.

Match trunks and branch styles i.e. curving trunk = curving branches.

Thick trunks should start with low branches

Thin trunks should have branches starting higher up

Side branches are long &endash; front and back branches are short

 

Deciduous trees

Cut the leaves in half (across) to force strong budding next year

Keep branches open and well trimmed

Work on trees is always for next year's viewing

Maples need light shade

Pinch tips continuously

Beech can only be pinched once. As soon as leaves are evident in the shoot.

Pinch elms to a pair of leaves

Constant work on Ash & Liquidambar

 

Conifers

Trim stray needles on top and bottom of branch

Take care to maintain inner growth

Select buds for the '2 point'

Keep conifers on the 'dry' side

Fertilise regularly

Plenty of sun

 

Natives

Keep Figs on the 'dry' side

Pinch, pinch, pinch!

Defoliate Banksia

Be aware of watering requirements for each species

Always seal wounds, no matter how small, on Angophora and Eucalypts. This will stop die back of even the tiniest twigs.

 

Azaleas

Pinch buds regularly

Use the tiny leaved varieties of Satsuki

Wash roots when repotting

Sun or shade varieties &endash; be aware.

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