What is a Bonsai?

 

​The term bonsai is a Japanese word literally meaning "tree in pot," but there is so much more to the practice than the definition might imply.​

• Beginner's Page: What Are Bonsai? (article, Evergreen Gardenworks) - A good introduction from Brent Walston.

• What is a Bonsai Tree? (article, Bonsai Empire) 

• Glossary of Terms (article, Bonsai Resource Center) - Basic terms grouped by type.

• Bonsai Terms & Definitions (interactive glossary, Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati) - a more extensive dictionary of terms that are cross referenced to one another.

• History and Origins of Bonsai (article, Bonsai Empire) - Quick overview that traces the history of the art form.

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Getting Started

 

Knowing how to take your first steps in the hobby can be intimidating. There are a few pitfalls to avoid and several tips that will make your journey more enjoyable. 

• Don't Buy a Bonsai (Evergreen Gardenworks) - A helpful walkthrough of why buying a fully shaped tree is not the best idea for beginners.

• Sourcing Your First Trees (Bonsai subreddit) - Options for sourcing your first tree along with some helpful DOs and DON'Ts

• What to get: For your first tree, we recommend species that are resilient and easy to care for in our climate. 

  • Deciduous recommendations: Chinese Elm, Trident Maple, Green-leaf Japanese Maple, Chinese or Korean Privet, Field Maple​

  • Conifer recommendations: Shimpaku Juniper, Japanese Black Pine, Bald Cypress

  • Broadleaf Evergreen: Azalea, Boxwood

  • Indoor/Tropical: Ficus, Schefflera

• See the Local and National Suppliers in our Bonsai Directory for a list of great vendors from which to source your first tree (or trees!)

• Bonsai Species Guides (Bonsai4Me) - once you've chosen a tree, you can look up its care requirements and calendar in this comprehensive collection of articles.

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Basic Care

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• Bonsai Survival Basics (Bonsai subreddit) - The core elements your new tree needs along with some helpful guidance on placement.

• Placement of Your Bonsai (Bonsai Empire) - So you've got a tree... where do you put it?

• Evaluating Water Needs (Bonsai Tonight) - Depending on how you look at it, watering can be the most simple or most complex care task for your tree. This article helps break down the basics.

• Fertilizing Your Tree (Bonsai Tonight) - A helpful overview of the how to fertilize at what stage and some information on types of fertilizer

• Winter Care for Bonsai (Bonsai4Me) - The basics of getting your trees ready for winter dormancy, giving them the seasonal "rest" they need while protecting them from winter's worst.

• Winter Care pt. 2 (Bonsai Tonight) - A more comprehensive article containing further techniques and considerations.

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Shaping Your Tree

 

• What to Prune (Bonsai subreddit) - A helpful diagram and discussion of what types of branches to remove from a tree

• Shaping Your Tree: Pruning (Bonsai Empire) - How to keep growth in check and the difference between maintenance pruning and structural pruning.

• Shaping Your Tree: Wiring (Bonsai Empire) - How to wire, when to wire, and types of wire

• Beginner's Tools & Supplies (Bonsai Boy) - You will find many guides online insisting that a beginner's toolkit includes dozens of items costing hundreds of dollars, but this list is perhaps all you need as a beginner.

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More Resources

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• The BRBS Practice Knowledge Base has a large compilation of additional resources, filterable on all kinds of topics.

• Bonsai4Me Basics Guide also offers an expansive collection of beginner's articles.

• EvergreenGardenWorks Beginner's page has excellent, in-depth info both there and on their Beginner's First Bonsai page.

• Reddit's Beginner's Walkthrough is a wonderfully written collection of tips and thinking for those just starting out in the hobby.

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