Growing a Bonsai Tree is Easier than You Think

Growing a Bonsai Tree is Easier than You Think

Most first time bonsai tree hobbyists experience failure to thrive syndrome with their first bonsai tree. Without knowing the reason why the bonsai tree died, the bonsai beginners tend to blame themselves and become discouraged from taking another chance with another bonsai tree.

What You Don't Know About Bonsai Tree Demise

Newcomers to the art of bonsai often are unaware of the potential hazards posed by the purchase of a bonsai tree from an inexperienced retailer or anonymous department store employee. The environment where the bonsai tree has been kept, too much or too little fertilizer, lack of adequate pruning or desperately overdue re-potting are the conditions under which most department store bonsai trees are subjected. It is these factors which likely lead to the bonsai tree death.

Too Much Fertilizer Can Kill a Bonsai Tree

Like any other mass-produced, marketed house plant, fertilizer is applied liberally and frequently. The overuse of fertilizer is practised to make the plant appear more lush, leafy and of a brighter color than it would normally have without the extra fertilizer. This is a selling technique. Unfortunately, the plant can only handle this excess of fertilizer for a short period of time, after which the effects begin to reverse themselves and the plant dies from the excessive dose of fertilizer.

More Tree than the Pot is meant to Contain

As a combined result of too much fertilizer and lack of attention, the roots grow more thickly. When the roots become thick and dense, they absorb the space that is needed for soil, oxygen and water. Department store bonsai trees (aka Mallsai) are not cared for; the roots are not cut back nor is the plant re-potted when it should be. Thick overgrown roots occupy the space required by the smaller roots whose job it is to uptake water and nutrients to the bonsai tree; thus, the root system is choked by the big thick roots.

Department Store Employees are not Instructed to Prune the Bonsai Tree Limbs

Often the growth of the upper branches gets carried away when the pruning shears are not applied as often as necessary. The bonsai tree limbs may become overgrown to the point that the roots and the tiny space left in the shallow pot is not enough to supply the demand for increased nutrients. This can be alleviated with pruning, but a mall employee may not know how to do this.

A bonsai tree beginner who purchases a bonsai tree in this state may not be aware that the bonsai tree is in a desperate state of overgrowth. New bonsai hobbyists are not as confident with the pruning shears. Because the plant can only support this type of expedited growth pattern for a short period of time; the plant cannot absorb enough water or nutrients from the restricted space. Sadly, it dies due to reduced water and nutrient supply, shortly after the purchase

Bonsai Trees Purchased from a Mall Suffer the Effects of a Poor Growing Environment

The other reason new bonsai trees often fail to thrive is because they were purchased from a nursery that had a high humidity level and then moved to a drastically different climate. Large department stores purchase a quantity of bonsai trees in bulk and then place the trees on a display shelf. Without the sunlight they need for photosynthesis to occur, the bonsai trees cannot make their own energy. The shock of being moved from the nursery environment to a sunless, arid department store shelf shocks the plant and kills it.

Purchase Your Bonsai Tree from a Knowledgeable Source

Bonsai Outlet is a convenient, reputable on-line supplier for all bonsai tree enthusiasts. Bonsai Outlet stocks hardy, established bonsai trees in good health and in a stable state of growth. They are shipped with special care instructions unique to each tree. Avoid the pitfalls of purchasing a bonsai tree without a history. Buy from Bonsai Outlet.

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Bonsai Outlet. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. Happy bonsai gardening.