How to Trim a Bonsai Tree

!#99# How to Trim a Bonsai Tree

The art of trimming a bonsai tree is not an easy task. You must be able to visualize how it should be done and how it will look afterwards. Usually if it's your first tree, the best thing to do is have a shrub or a small tree. Some examples of small trees would be boxwood and camellia. You also need to have patience, because this work is a masterpiece in the making.

You can start trimming the bonsai tree sitting in the container. Take away some of the branches until you have a clear view of the trunk of the plant. From there, you will be able to make a decision on what angle you want the tree to be displayed. Keep most of the foliage on the bonsai tree.

Transfer the bonsai tree from the original container to the new container. If the root ball takes up more space than you have in the second container, put the tree in water. Continue to do this until a certain amount of the soil is no longer attached to the roots. You will have to trim about a third or more of the roots until the tree fits in the container.

After the bonsai tree has been planted in the container, add soil and fertilizer. The soil mixture should be packed into the container. Make sure that it is firmly packed and not loose. In addition to that, you should place a screen inside the container. This will help a lot of the solid to stay put instead of draining away from the container while you're watering the tree.

Pruners have sharp edges on both blades. The blades are used to trim the bonsai tree. You need to trim the tree as frequent as possible. Doing this helps to keep the shape of the tree that you chose. If it is not kept up, then the tree will lose its shape.

In order for the branches to grow in the direction you want, use training wire. You would attach the wire to the branches that are already there. Then you could either pull them up or down as needed.

When the bonsai tree gets new growth, allow it to grow out and create a shape for it. If you are constantly trimming the new growth, you will have a bonsai tree with just a lot of branches and a trunk for people to look at. That doesn't look very appealing. Allow the tree to grow naturally and more foliage will grow out. This way, you can see how the tree looks before you trim it again.

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