DIY Bonsai from small tree

What you will need..

Small tree (fig, maple, cumquats, pines, are most common)
(I have used a miracle fruit tree, don't use a tree that has large fruit, they won't grow smaller.)

Bonsai Tray

Vermiculite

Soil

Strong Scissors or garden shears.

Bendable wire (copper or aluminimum) Preferably 2 different sizes.
Large one to anchor plant, smaller guage wire for branch training.

Small rocks

Coco Palm Fibre or fly screen

Optional Spagnum Moss & larger rock for placement on top

Step 1 Lets Start with the Bonsai Pot

Cut Coco Palm Fibre or Fly Screen to size that fits the bonsai pot.

Making sure it covers the draining holes.

Then Lightly Cover with small aquarium rocks.

Comments

[peguiono]

cool project looking forward to the pictures. Don't bonsai trees grow really slow?

[Mr E Man]

yeah, may take me lots of years before it looks like a complete bonsai you see for sale, which fully look like a shrunk tree. They can be hundreds of years old, not promising to take that many photos though.. lol

[PKM]

IIRC the bonsai that look like tiny gnarled trees need decades of very careful and patient pruning and "training" to look like that. I found one on a bonsai catalogue website for £2,000 that was over 40 years old. Non-trained bonsai are just small plants a bit like dragon trees, that only take a matter of months or perhaps a few years to grow.

[mountainrunner]

It is true that bonsai can take decades to develop primary and secondary branch structures, and I've seen reference to 100 years to complete the development cycle. There is one exception to this: chrysanthemum bonsai. A bonsai can be developed from a chrysanthemum in 12 - 14 months. It can be challenging to create them, and more so to keep them going for many years, but it is well worth it in my opinion. If you try to do this, look for varieties identified for bonsai culture - those will small flowers and leaves. I know that King's Mums in the U.S. sells these. If you're looking for good instructions, try to get a copy of The Art of the Chrysanthemum...it's out of print, but you might find a used copy through Amazon.

[lucinity]

I did it with a Marigold before, kept clipping back the flower buds, kept it going for a year, started growing bark!

[sculptur]

what is "vermiculite"?

[lucinity]

I would suggest using google to solve this question

[fresnelman90]

I really want to do this with a Red Maple. Do you think it could work?

[anishi]

the Japanese use their local maple so i would think so

[achollowell]

Thanks for this Instructable I have been interested in doing one with a local tree good job

[toil_and_spin]

It's good to see a bonsai instructable with some pictures that show that you have great skill at the bonsai art. How's that tree going since you repotted it?

[wenpherd]

do you have to have a bonsai pot

[Mr E Man]

Helps, but a shallow tray that is not clear or painted so that light can't penetrate the soil with proper drainage will do. I have made these myself from chinese takeaway dishes. Besure to use a outdoor paint, no need to paint the inside, just several layers on the outside of it. Hope this helps.

[wenpherd]

thank you

[clamoring]

Um... How is this a bonsai and not just a planted tree? Did I miss the "hot to make a bonsai" step somewhere?

[clamoring]

Very nice update! Much better explanations. Great job!

[Mr E Man]

Bonsai are trimmed on roots and big leaves, making it over time look smaller. Also the fact it grows in a shallow tray means it gets root bound and thinks its a mature tree.

[mountainrunner]

Bonsai should never allowed to become root-bound. The tree's roots need to be pruned periodically to keep this from happening. Root pruning will also stimulate the development of very fine feeder roots. Roots should be arranged to radiate out from the tree trunk.

[Mr E Man]

Its a job in progress if u start it now u'll still be behind me

[clamoring]

That's true. However, I have no idea how to make a bonsai - which is why I came to you!

[Mr E Man]

Okay i'll jump ahead with another plant to show u tommorrow or tuesday

[Mr E Man]

New plant planted last night, i have replace the bonsai instructable today with the new bonsai. My cutting died, too much light, forgot to turn it off... lol

[Bongmaster]

kool :) i have some cuttings from my bonsais :) and they are dong ok so far, hope they survive.