A bonsai tree is a beautiful example of an ancient tradition. Bonsai trees are very striking in appearance, so there are many who feature them in the home. Special care is required for your indoor bonsai since they’re not exposed to full, natural sunlight and outdoor weather. Although they might look quite hardy, a bonsai can be very delicate, requiring precision watering and lighting.
Watering Your Indoor Bonsai
When you bring a bonsai tree indoors it will require sufficient lighting to replace the natural sunlight that it would have been receiving outdoors. It’s important to place your tree in a location with good ventilation. The type of bonsai you have will dictate how often you need to water it, as will the state of the soil it is planted in. There are some bonsai trees that require well watered soil, but others are able to survive with almost no moisture.
A bonsai plant will respond well to frequent misting as it soaks up the humidity. A humidity tray may be used but make sure that the pot is not exposed to the water but is instead on some pebbles or a stand.
Pruning and Cutting
The indoor bonsai tree will still need to be regularly pruned and cut to maintain its appearance. Just because bonsai plants look frozen in time does not mean that they do not grow. A bonsai tree needs to be repotted somewhere between one to three years, depending on the type, whether it’s an outdoor or indoor plant. The branches will also need to be maintained to keep its style intact.
Depending on what species your bonsai is, you will need to cut back on the fertilizer when it is winter time. This is because some tree species hibernate during the season and do not need as much nutrients as in warmer months. Your indoor bonsai might not fully experience the whole cycle of seasons because it is in an artificial environment.
Indoor bonsai trees also need to be checked for pests and other anomalies that may have appeared. Since they’re indoors, they will likely attract mites and spiders from the outside. Use a soft, damp cloth or brush to carefully clean the branches and leaves of an indoor bonsai.
