Got myself a Bonsai tree.

http://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=user_uploads&list=bonsaimovies

This little beauty is going to need some research so I can maintain her optimal conditions. That way she can grow big and strong and thick and weird looking. And when I’m 90 years old I can get back from my morning cross-fit session and sit in my favorite room in the house and reminisce about all the fond memories with my Bonsai tree.

First we have to identify exactly what kind of Bonsai tree we have. Apparently you care for a juniper  much differently than you care for a Ficus.  In my case, I got a juniper.  More specifically the picture under the title “Mall Trees” on that link happens to look exactly like mine.  After a couple more insults on the trees name the author goes on to talk about how the tree probably wasn’t healthy to begin with.  Then says that everybody kills their first bonsai so its no big deal.

Looks like we’ll have to find another source to see how to best care for my “Mall Tree.” I wonder what kind of wizard name I’m going to give this tree.  I’ll have to think about making a wand out of one of these branches for after cross-fit.

Here’s what I learned about the tree I thought I might be able to grow on my desk. The Juniper likes direct sunlight and cannot live indoors.  It’s roots dont like to be wet so we must let the soil dry between watering. Misting the tree can be done regularly.  Especially after being repotted (every 2 years) the tree will benefit from air humidity.

It eats normal organic fertilizer pellets or balls every month during the growth season or liquid fertilizer each week.  Higher nitrogen levels can be applied in the spring if strong growth is desired.

Do not trim the juniper because removal of growing tips will weaken the tree and turn the needles brown. When the pads become too dense they must be trimmed at the base with sharp scissors. Long shoots that stick outside the lines  must be pinched to inhibit their growth.

The Juniper is a strong tree that can withstand aggressive pruning. But keep in mind that bare tree cannot bud again so keep branches on each limb you want to keep alive.  Prune the juniper in spring to encourage new growth and in summer pinch out new needles from the top of each crown to encourage a stronger bushy look. It’s important to trim outer parts regularly in order to encourage growth on the inside of the tree.

Your tree only stays tight if you trim right.

You have to come up with a vision of how you want your tree to look. And slowly mold that thing in that way by trimming and pruning and twisting branches with wire.  It can be helpful if you understand the vision the bonsai tree has for itself so you can work with that vision.

 

See you in 5 years with an update.

 

Teb