Learning

Smiling group holding bonsai trees outdoors

Beginner’s Guide to Bonsai

Practical Tips, Honest Truths, and Friendly Advice So, you’ve discovered bonsai. Welcome. Beginner Bonsai enthusiasts...
Miniature baskets filled with tiny berries nestled among moss.

Bonsai Fertilization Guide

Bonsai Fertilization: How and Why to Feed Your Trees Fertilizing is essential for healthy bonsai...
Two people shaping a potted bonsai tree

Bonsai Objectives — In a Nutshell

Capturing the Spirit of Ancient Trees in Miniature Form When you look at a truly...
Miniature bonsai grass landscape with rocks

How to Choose the Right Bonsai Container: A Complete Guide

The container you choose for your bonsai is more than just a pot — it’s...
Person arranging branches in a potted bonsai tree indoors.

Choosing the Right Plant Material for Bonsai

Almost any plant in the world can be trained as bonsai. But in practice, some...
Man tending to a bonsai tree indoors.

Applying Guidelines Where None Exist: Modern Bonsai Design

When it comes to bonsai design, strict rules are rare. Bonsai is an art form...
A small bonsai tree display in a wooden tray on a table.

Bonsai Soil: How to Create the Right Mix for Healthy Trees

The soil mix you use is one of the most important factors in keeping your...
Using tweezers to shape a bonsai tree branch.

Bonsai Tools: Do You Really Need Imported Japanese Tools?

When you’re starting out in bonsai, it’s easy to wonder whether you need an expensive...
Man watering bonsai trees with a hose in a garden.

Mastering Bonsai Watering: Techniques Every Grower Should Know

Developing One of the Most Important Bonsai Skills Watering a bonsai may seem simple, but...
A lush bonsai tree with dense green foliage in a garden setting.

Why Is My Bonsai Dying?

Common Causes (and How to Save It) We’ve all heard the saying, “A little knowledge...
Twisted metal wire entwined around green plant branches.

Wire

Wiring Bonsai: A Complete Guide for Beginners Wiring is one of the most important techniques...
Planter on weathered deck with scattered cicadas

Insect and Fungus Control for Bonsai

How to Prevent, Identify, and Treat Bonsai Health Issues Healthy bonsai don’t happen by accident....
Illustrations of three literati bonsai styles.

Literati Bonsai

Literati Bonsai (Bunjin): An Artistic Approach The literati, or bunjin, is less a fixed “style”...
Ink style windswept bonsai tree in pot

Cascade and Semi-Cascade Bonsai: Embracing Nature’s Flow

Among the most dramatic and visually striking bonsai styles are the cascade (Kengai) and semi-cascade...
Cascading bonsai pine tree in ceramic pot

Preparing Your Bonsai For Show

One of the greatest joys of bonsai is sharing your creations with others. Exhibiting your...
Miniature traditional Japanese tokonoma display with bonsai.

Bonsai Display: A Western Perspective

Displaying bonsai is an art form all its own. It’s not just about showing a...