7 Biggest Mistakes Made

When Growing A Bonsai Tree

What are 7 The Biggest Mistakes That You
should Know in Growing a Bonsai Tree?
There are a lot of people who have engaged in propagation of bonsai trees because these
miniature tees are very attractive and they can be very nice decorations indoors or outdoors.
For some people, growing a bonsai tree maybe difficult for them but for others, they find it easy
and enjoyable. If you want to grow a bonsai tree, you need to know the seven common
mistakes that bonsai propagators execute so that you will not commit the same mistakes.
These mistakes can weaken or damage your bonsai tree, and will eventually lead to its death.

Bonsai trees can be grown from various tree species, and there are about 250 tree species
that are suitable to be cultivated as a miniature tree. Each tree species has specific
requirements for proper growth and survival. A good background for each tree species is very
necessary before you should grow a bonsai tree in your own.

There are a number of tree species for bonsai that can be grown indoors, which means they
can tolerate low levels of sunlight. There are also bonsai tree species that can be grown
outdoors because they require a full sun exposure to be able to grow and develop well.

Growing a bonsai tree is not a very difficult task to do. But it is not also an easy thing to do if
you do not have enough knowledge about bonsai trees and how they are cultivated in the
proper manner. The keys to become successful in growing a bonsai tree will include proper
knowledge, taking care of it properly and performing the correct techniques in its size and
beauty maintenance.

How to grow a bonsai tree?

If you are planning to cultivate a bonsai tree, it is very important that you should understand
how to grow a miniature tree properly, and you should provide right amounts of nourishment.
Miniature trees require sunlight because it helps them to produce their own food, sufficient
water is nessecary to provide adequate moisture to its growing root system,and fertilizer is also
important because it provides essentials nutrients to promote good health and right
development of your miniature tree.

To grow a a bonsai tree means you should institute proper techniques on how to turn the usual
tree species into a unique and attractive miniature tree. You should give enough time to
provide care and all the necessary requirements it needs for growth. It also includes using your
creativity in shaping and trimming your miniature trees. It should be done in the correct manner
to prevent causing any damage of the essential parts of the bonsai tree. In trimming your
miniature trees you should retain the important parts of the tree so that it can still grow even
though you have removed some parts of it.
The techniques involve, and the correct way in the propagation of bonsai trees include
choosing the correct bonsai container which has enough drainage holes beneath it, good
mixture of soil that will promote good drainage and retain moisture, pruning its foliage and
roots to maintain its small and attractive appearance, clip and grow technique, proper wiring of
its branches and trunks and the correct way of removing the wires so as to prevent unwanted
scarring, creating a jin, repotting your bonsai tree to prevent pot bound, prevention and
eradication of pests and diseases to protect your bonsai tree from the bad effects they bring.

Here are the seven biggest mistakes that you should know in the propagation of a bonsai tree:

1) Too Much Sun Exposure vs. Inadquate Sun Exposure

Sun is a very important source of light because it gives off energy that is necessary for your
bonsai tree so that they can manufacture their own food, which is a process known as
photosynthesis. As they produce their own food, it is distributed to all parts of the tree to allow
healthy growth of each part. Food is very important to a bonsai trees’ growth and survival, just
like man that needs food to satisfy its hunger.

There are various variety of bonsai and each bonsai tree species has specific requirements
and that includes the proper exposure to sunlight. Some tree species require a direct full sun
while other tree species cannot tolerate too much sun exposure. These species only require
exposure to morning sunlight and keeping them under the shade when midday comes.

It is very necessary that you expose your miniature tree to an adequate sunlight, and you
should take into consideration the recommended way on how long you should expose your
miniature tree under the sunlight.

MISTAKE

If you are not able to follow the correct manner on how long you should expose your bonsai
tree under the sunlight, too much sunlight can cause excessive drying of the leaves that can
lead to burning of its leaves. As the leaves become burned, it cannot function well and the
whole bonsai tree will become affected in this bad event.

If you allowed your bonsai tree to get less sunlight, the growth and development of the entire
miniature tree will become affected. The parts of the bonsai tree will look unhealthy because
they have not received sufficient amount of food that is essential for their growth, and the
sunlight plays a very important role in the production of its food.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

If you are not sure for how long your bonsai tree should stay under the sunlight, you can ask a
professional bonsai cultivator. This person can help you cultivate your bonsai tree in a healthy
way.
Almost all of the bonsai tree species can grow under a full sun. But it is best that you expose
your bonsai under a morning sunlight because the heat and light it gives off is not that intense
unlike during midday and afternoon. Morning sunlight is just enough for your little tree to
produce its own food. As midday comes, you can place your bonsai tree under a shady
position so that you will prevent burning of its leaves.

2) Over Watering vs. Under Watering

Water is another essential requirement that you should not miss in the propagation of
miniature trees. They provide moisture that is very important in the growth of the bonsai tree.

MISTAKE

Another mistake is that giving too much water or insufficient amounts of water. Too much
water is not good, and inadequate water is bad as well. You should know what are the possible
effects of these two conditions in your bonsai tree so that you will become aware of what a
mistake can bring forth.

Giving too much water can cause rotting of the bonsai root system. If the roots have become
rotten, they cannot perform their role well. The root system is responsible for anchoring the
tree under the ground, and they are also responsible for the absorption of the necessary
nutrients and water in the soil. Since the entire roots have become rotten the proper growth of
your bonsai will not be possible at all.

If you have given insufficient amounts of water to your bonsai tree, its growth will also be
comprised. The roots will dry up easily and the bonsai tree will become dehydrated.
Dehydration can lead to weakness of your bonsai tree and if it is not given with prompt
intervention, the bonsai tree will die.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

Watering should just be enough. It should not be too much or too less.

Ideally, watering is done early in the morning. This is to allow the soil to get dry before the
nighttime. If you water in the afternoon, the soil will not get dry until it reaches evening and this
can cause fungal infection in the root system of your bonsai.

Watering should not be done on a scheduled basis. You should assess the soil first before
giving water to your bonsai tree. You can check the soil by dipping about half an inch of your
finger into the soil or ground. If it feels wet, do not water. If the soil is dry, give sufficient
amounts of water.

Frequent checks and monitoring should be done during the summer season because the soil
dries up fast. You should give sufficient amounts of water to prevent excessive drying up of the
soil, which could possibly lead to the dehydration of your bonsai tree.
You should use a watering can that has fine nozzle because this will help in the proper
distribution of water into the soil, and this will also prevent washing out of the soil mixture from
the bonsai container.

3) Wrong technique in Wiring

Wiring is a technique used to bend or twist the trunk and branches of your bonsai tree in the
way you want them to be. Wiring uses a special type of wire, which can be made from
aluminum or copper.

Aluminum wire can be easily manipulated and it can be used by beginners in bonsai
propagation. Copper wire is tougher, and it is usually used for branches and trunks that are
harder to bend or twist. It is used by professional bonsai cultivator because they know how to
manipulate it in the proper way.

MISTAKE

If you perform wiring anytime in the year, you will not succeed in bending the branches and
trunk of your bonsai. The bending and twisting of the branches and trunk will stress your
bonsai, and it can cause damage to it that can possibly lead to its death.

If you are using the wire in the inappropriate bonsai tree species, you will not get the perfect
twist of its branches and trunk.

Wrapping the wires around the branches without care can ruin the shape and appearance of
the branches.

If you are using the used coper wire. This will not bend or twist well the trunk and branches of
your miniature tree.

Cutting the wires around the branches with using an ordinary pair of scissors.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

When you perform wiring, you should know what and when do it.

The appropriate time for wiring is totally dependent on what bonsai tree species you are
growing. Wiring is done ona a specific season of the year so that you will not cause harm to
your little tree. It is usually done when the growth of the bonsai tree is at its peak. This is during
the middle part until the late part of summer.

You should be careful in the application of wire around its branches. The branches and trunk
should only be wrapped with wire, and you should not include the leaves of the bonsai tree
because this can damage the beauty of its foliage.
After wiring the branches and trunk, you should monitor them on a regular basis so that you
can prevent the formation of unwanted scars around them because the bonsai grows fast at
this season. These scars can make your bonsai tree less attractive. For very young shoots,
you should leave the wire for several weeks. For mature branches, the wires should stay more
than a year because they are more difficult to follow your desired shape.

When the times comes that you have to remove the wire around the branches and trunk, you
should use the appropriate wire cutter so that you will not cause any damage on them. You
should be careful when using wire cutters because they are very sharp.

You should not reuse copper wires because they contain kinks, and the wire will be less
effective in bending the branches.

4) Wrong type of Soil Mixture

Choosing the right soil components is another essential aspect in growing a bonsai tree. The
soil provides mositure and nutrients for the root system to absorb, it expels extra amounts of
water, and it holds the roots so that the bonsai tree can stand still.

MISTAKE

If you are using or you are planning to use an ordinary garden soil, it is a big mistake. It will not
be a good medium for growth of your little tree. It will not hold enough moisture and it cannot
expel out extra amounts of water.

Planning to purchase a garden soil for your bonsai tree from garden centers. Buying a soil
from a garden center will not assure you that you are using the correct soil for your bonsai tree.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

You should choose an appropriate soil mixture for your bonsai tree. The soil should contain the
following characterisitics: good drainage, good aeration, and good water-retention.

The soil should be composed of organic and inorganic soil. Organic soil will promote good
aeration and good drainage. While inorganic soil do not cause water retention.

You should also consider the correct soil mixture for each bonsai tree species. Each bonsai
tree species requires different soil mixture so that they can grow in the best way possible.

Maple tree specially requires akadama soil, which is an inorganic soil that does not cause
retention of water. Larch tree species require 70% akadama and 30% grit and pine bark. Elm
tree species needs 60% akadama and 40% grit, which can be crushed brick, pumice, or
Haydite. Beech tree species needs 100% akadama or akadama combined with a bit of bark
and/or pine bark. Juniper tree species require 50% akadama and 50% grit. Pine tree species
can live in 60% akadama and 40% grit or a mixture of 50% akadama and 50% grit.
5) Using of Inappropriate Tools

Tools are very necessary in propagation a bonsai tree. These things help you to make your
trimming, cutting, and caring for your miniature easily and manageable.

There are a variety of tools used in bonsai propagation and each group of tools has specific
use to help you out in bonsai cultivation. You just have to understand how it works so that you
will not experience difficulty in growing and maintaining the shape and beauty of your miniature
tree.

MISTAKE

If you use ordinary cutting tools like a pair of scissors in trimming leaves and branches of your
miniature tree, it is a big mistake that you should be aware of. These tools are not
recommended in cutting parts in your bonsai tree because it might cause damage while in the
process of shaping and trimming of your little trees.

If you are using the correct tools in bonsai propagation but you don’t have enough knowledge
on how to manipulate or make use of each item. You will still be unsuccesful in grooming and
maintaning the shape and size of your miniature tree.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

There are several tools available in the market that will aid you in your bonsai cultivation. Basic
tools include pruning and cutting tools, wiring tools, potting tools and carving tools.

Pruning and cutting tools are very essential in performing pruning and shaping up your tree.
You must keep these tools sharp so that they can cut roots, leaves and branches very well and
prevent damage that they may cause to your bonsai tree.

Wiring tools are useful when you apply or wrap the wires around the trunk or branch of the
bonsai tree. They are used to cut the wires and to manipulate the wires while wrapping them
around the branches or trunk. After using them, you should clean them and store them in a
proper storage box.

You must use potting tools when you are repotting your bonsai tree. Some potting tools include
rake and root hooks. Rake is used to remove unwanted weeds, buds, and other things that are
found in the soil. Root hooks are used when there’s a need to pick through the roots and soil.

Use carving tools when you want to carve deadwood features on the trunk and branches. You
just have to store them in a proper container so that they can last for a long time like your
miniature tree.

6) Unawareness of the Needs of Bonsai Tree Species

There are about 250 tree species that can be cultivated as a bonsai tree. They have various
characteristics that differs one from another, and you can choose a bonsai tree species that
you want to grow.

MISTAKE

If you cultivate a bonsai tree species without taking into consideration the specific needs and
requirements of that particular species. Poor knowledge will make you unsuccesful in bonsai
cultivation. You cannot be a good bonsai cultivator if you do not have the knowledge on how to
grow a bonsai.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

Each bonsai tree species has specific needs and requirements to grow well. There are
different things that a bonsai needs so that it will develop accordingly. Their needs include the
following: soil mixture that has good drainage and that can hold enough moisture, bonsai pot
that has enough drainage holes, adequate sunlight, sufficient water, correct type and
application of fertilizer, free from insect infestation and fungal infection, repotting the bonsai
when necessary, wiring the branches and trunks to bend or twist them, and lastly root and
foliage pruning to keep the size of the bonsai small and attractive.

What you can do before you purchase a tree species is that you have to learn about it. You
can ask from a professional bonsai cultivator on what are the growing conditions of that
specific bonsai tree species you have chosen to propagate.

Proper knowledge is your essential key to be successful in cultivating a bonsai tree. This is
very necessary so that you can grow your miniature tree healthily. Correct supplication of the
needs and regular maintenance of the bonsai trees size are very important to keep it small and
attractive. A beautiful and unique miniature tree will be of high value and many people will
surely appreciate your bonsai tree.

7) Incorrect Pruning of Foliage and Roots

Pruning or known as trimming of the foliage and roots of a tree species is another important
thing you should do to keep the tree small. As you perform pruning to the root system, you are
keeping the growth of the tree species and maintain their small size. Trimming of the foliage or
leaves will keep your bonsai tree beautiful.

You can follow your own style or any style you want as you do trimming of the leaves and
branches. There are different styles that you can follow in shaping your miniature tree.

MISTAKE
If you prune the foliage and root system too much, it is a big mistake. Cutting out too much
leaves and roots from your bonsai tree will weaken them, and this can probably lead to its
death.

If you cut or trim your miniature tree according to the style you want that is not suited for your
bonsai tree species, it is also a big mistake in pruning.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

When you perform pruning of the foliage and roots, you have to know how much will be
removed from the little tree. For each tree species, there is a recommended percentage on
how much you should remove.

You can ask from a professional bonsai cultivator so that you can be sure of how much are
you going to remove without risking the health of your little tree. You have to remember that
you will remove parts from the bonsai tree but you have to leave some essential parts so that it
can still live and develop.

There are a lot of styles that you can follow on for your miniature tree and you can browse from
the internet, inquire from a professional bonsai propagator or read from books about the
different bonsai styles.

When you follow a certain bonsai style, you have to make sure that it is applicable to your
bonsai tree species. This is to make sure that your miniature tree can still live and at the same
time you will make it more attractive because of its style.

CONCLUSION

Growing a bonai tree is one of the best hobbies that anyone could ever have. It makes your
time useful by giving life and beauty to an ordinary tree species. You just don’t have to learn
about how to grow a bonsai tree but it is a big advantage for you in knowing what are the 7
biggest mistakes that one could experience in growing a bonsai tree.

The 7 biggest mistakes in growing a bonsai tree include wrong method in exposing the bonsai
from the sunlight, over watering and under watering, wrong technique in wiring, wrong type of
soil mixture, using of inappropriate tools in various techniques in bonsai propagation, if you are
unaware of the specific needs of your bonsai tree species, and incorrect way of pruning its
foliage and its roots.

All of these mistakes can be prevented and corrected. As they say, Knowledge is Power. Good
information about bonsai tree cultivation is very necessary because it will serve as a guide on
how you should take care and develop the beauty of the little tree. Learning the facts and
mistakes in growing a bonsai tree at the same time will help improve yourself as a bonsai
propagator.

After knowing the facts about bonsai tree propagation, the next step involves actualization.
This is the part where your knowledge about propagation a miniature tree comes into action.
You can now avoid the things or circumstances that are not good for your bonsai tree, which
can cause weakness and even death to your beloved little tree. And, you can now perform the
things that are suitable and highly recommended for your bonsai tree species so that it will
grow and you will surely promote good health.