The Different Types of Bonsai

Bonsai Tree

Bonsai originated from China about two thousand years ago. But the Japanese made a lot of developments about its styles and techniques in propagation. Bonsai has been a product of creativity, patience and care to the living plant. There are a lot of plant species that you can use as a bonsai. But there are two main types of bonsai which have specific growth requirements that would help you to become successful in bonsai cultivation. There are also a wide range of species in each bonsai type that would match up your taste and style.

Types of Bonsai

1) Indoor bonsai Type- is a type of bonsai that can live in indoor conditions. Species from tropical and subtropical plants can be good indoor bonsai trees. Indoor bonsai trees can be wonderful display in your home and office. They can stay alive in an indoor environment as long as they are properly maintained, and they are given with enough nutrients in order to live and blossom for a long time.

Growth Requirements

Like any other plant, indoor bonsai needs sufficient amounts of sunlight to produce their own food. You can place it near the window where adequate sunlight can reach the bonsai tree. Another important thing you should do is to water your bonsai tree in a scheduled basis according to its requirement. You should never allow it to get dry. And do not allow it to get soaked as this can cause root rot. It is also important to apply a fertilizer with good quality. The fertilizer must be water-soluble and make sure that it has enough nutrients. You can give the fertilizer every week during the summer season and every four weeks during the winter.

Varieties of Indoor Bonsai Tree

-Fukien Tea Tree (Carmona macrophylle)
-Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
-Serissa or Chinese Snow Rose (Serissa foetida or Serissa japonica)
-Chinese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum)
-Chinese bird plum (Sageteria theezans)
-Baby Jade (Crassula portulacea)
-Narrow Leaf or Willow Leaf Fig (Ficus salicifolia)
-Paper Flower or Bougainville (Bougainvillea)
-Money Tree or Good Fortune Tree (Pachira aquatica)
-Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus Chinese Yew)
-Chinese Privet (Ligustrum nitida)
-Sacred Bamboo (Nandina domestica)

2) Outdoor bonsai type- is a type of bonsai that thrives well in an open environment. They fall into two categories: Deciduous bonsai and Evergreen bonsai tree. They should be given with proper care and should be provided with sufficient nutrients to be healthy and grow beautifully.

a) Deciduous Bonsai- falls off its leaves during the season of fall. The leaves grow during spring and they undergo dormancy period or rest period during the winter days.

b) Evergreen Bonsai- can keep its leaves all throughout the four seasons but during winter they undergo dormancy period which would turn their leaves to dull green or yellowish in color.

Care Requirements

Outdoor bonsai should be exposed to sunlight for a minimum of six hours but you should not allow it to get exposed to direct sunlight during midday. You can place it under a shade to protect the bonsai tree. It should have proper moisture and prevent it from drying. You can check the soil on a regular basis to maintain the hydration of your bonsai tree. You should apply fertilizer for supplementation of nutrients essential to the growth of bonsai tree.

Varieties of Outdoor Bonsai Tree

-Deciduous plants -Maples, Gingko, Elms, Larch, Crabapple, Apricot, Hornbeam, Gingko, and many Elm species.
-Evergreen plants -Junipers, Pines, Boxwoods, and Azaleas