The main skill that separates Bonsai beginners from advanced enthusiasts is the ability to train the tree - using wiring to bend the branches and trunk into new shapes, influencing the ultimate growth of the Bonsai. This is something everyone who's interested in Bonsai aspires to master.However, one of the biggest "newbie" mistakes is to attempt training without properly protecting the branches and trunks from damage. You don't simply wrap wire around the branches directly, as this can cause t …

Like all living things, Bonsai trees are susceptible to a wide range of diseases and maladies. While few of these are so serious as to be fatal, many can permanently disfigure your tree or shorten its lifespan. And, of course, no one wants to have a distressed tree when it's possible to make it better!So today, we wanted to take a look at some of the medicines available for Bonsai, and when they're useful. Some of these are for preventative purposes, and others are for very specific applicati …

Generally speaking, Bonsai trees are quite hearty and hard-to-kill. However, one of the exceptions to this is heat. Aside from a handful of breeds that come from high temperature climates, most Bonsai will start to suffer once temperatures get to around 90 Fahrenheit and frequent sustained highs over 100 degrees can become fatal.And with climatologists predicting 2016 to be one of the hottest years yet on record, protecting your Bonsai from the heat may be a major issue this year.S …