So you’ve bought a beautiful new bonsai tree, but you’re no Mr Miyagi – don’t panic. Like the good man himself, stay cool, calm, and Zen like and you’ll be a bonsai master in no time.

Although it seems daunting, caring for an indoor bonsai tree isn’t as complicated as most people think. If you have patience, a little time, and are willing to learn, caring for your bonsai could turn out to be one of the simplest, most rewarding hobbies you ever cultivate.

There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you put a well-kept bonsai tree on display in your home. The miniature trees are truly a thing of beauty, which can enhance and enrich any environment significantly. Once you get the hang of caring for your tree, you will probably want to collect more, and there is a real danger that your bonsai tree will grow into a forest, but how do you go about ensuring your trees grow and thrive?

Getting Started

If you are new to the world of bonsai trees, you will probably want to start out by buying a tree that has already been potted and shaped to some degree. Young trees are very affordable, and they have been cultivated by an experienced Bonsai master, so you will be starting out with the best possible chance of success.

Choosing Your Tree

There are very few trees that don’t do well in bonsai form; however, some are not suitable for indoor use. The most popular indoor bonsai trees include Ficus, Arboricola Schefflera, Jade, and Dracaena Marginata. It is always a good idea to consult an expert before buying a tree, so you can ensure you choose a suitable tree for your home.

Tools

In order to properly care for your bonsai tree, you will need a few basic tools. As a bare minimum, you will need:

• Concave pruner (Branch removal)
• Bud scissors (Trimming, leaves, buds, and small branches)
• Bonsai wire cutters (Cutting training wire)
• Knob cutter (Removing root and trunk material)
• Root hook (Removal of Soil, and untangling of roots)
• Root cutter (Removal of roots when re-potting)

Everyday Care

Once you have your tree and the tools you need, you will need to ensure that the daily needs of your bonsai tree are met. Below is a basic guide, which will help you to do so effectively.

Watering

When watering bonsai trees, you need to, like Buddha, take the middle path. If you over or under water your tree, it will die. Like humans, trees can either starve or drown, depending on the amount of water they receive. The majority of people who kill their bonsai trees do so by not watering their tree correctly.

In order to avoid the problem, you should water your bonsai tree only when the soil is starting to dry out, but before it is able to get completely dry. This will generally ensure that your tree receives the correct amount of water needed.

Environment

Like watering, the environment in which you place your bonsai tree is one of the most important factors in keeping it alive.  Your bonsai tree needs to be placed in an area where it will receive adequate sunlight. Most people choose to keep their bonsai trees on or near a window ledge.

The room, in which the tree is kept, should not be too warm or too cold. Most trees will be happiest in a room which is kept at room temperature, and if the room is centrally heated, they should be kept away from the central heating.

Pruning

The beauty of bonsai trees lies in the beautiful, manicured shapes they form. If you cannot correctly prune your bonsai tree, you will never become a bonsai master.

Pruning takes two forms – root pruning and branch pruning. Root pruning should only be undertaken in the spring, and only needs to be undertaken if your bonsai tree has become pot bound. To prune roots, all you need to do is cut off the bad roots, using a root cutter. You should be careful not to damage healthy roots.

Branch pruning is also best carried out in the spring, although you may have occasion to do so at other times of year. To prune branches, simply select the branches you wish to keep, bearing in mind the overall look and shape of the tree, and remove the ones you do not need, using your pruning tools.

Feeding Bonsai

In order for your bonsai tree to flourish, you will need to ensure that it is well fed. A diet rich in minerals and nutrients will help keep your tree healthy, and in good condition. This means that you will need to choose the best possible soil for your tree. If you have bought your tree already potted, you will not have to worry about this step for a while, however, if you are planting your own tree, or need to re-pot your bonsai, you should visit a local garden centre, or bonsai expert, who will be able to tell you what type of soil your tree needs. You should always aim to buy the best quality soil you can afford to because it will be much higher in nutrients, and it will be much more likely to keep your tree alive, and in good condition.

Fertilizer

As well as high quality soil, it is also a good idea to fertilize your bonsai tree with a high quality, water-soluble fertilizer. This will ensure that your tree gets a good mix of vital nutrients and trace minerals. Fertilizer should only be applied to wet soil between the months of March and October.

These are the foundations of bonsai growing. Following these instructions should help bonsai novices to become skilled in the art of growing miniature trees. They will provide a solid foundation from which to work, but it is a good idea, for the serious newcomer, to spend as much time exploring the topic, and learning about their specific tree, as possible if they are to become true bonsai masters.