Dear Sibe,

What do you think to bonsai trees? I would like one but am not particularly green-fingered! Do they require a lot of care?

Thanks,

Sammy

Our Gardening Expert replies:

Hello Sammy,

I am always impressed when I see an exhibition of bonsai trees at horticultural shows. I particularly remember a group of three small pine trees, dramatically wind swept to the right and all perfect miniatures at about 5cm (2in) high. Bonsai trees aren't just plants, they're works of art. Like a sculpture, they will need to be trained and controlled.

This is not particularly difficult or time consuming, however, it is important to realise that your bonsai tree cannot be allowed to dry out in summer. The very small pots that are used have little soil in them, so the water reserve is quite restricted.

Assuming you are thinking of buying a bonsai that is already established, then maintenance consists mainly of trimming new shoots to a few leaves while they are still soft. If the subject is a deciduous tree, you could also cut off all the leaves by snipping off at the top of the leaf stalk (or petiole). This should be done in say, June and will encourage a second display of much smaller leaves, more in keeping with the size of the plant. Spraying thereafter with clean cold water will encourage new leaves to emerge.

Another technique you can try is wiring. This consists of anchoring a piece of stiff wire around the stem and then coiling a length around a branch that you want to train into a new shape. As you wrap the wire around, carefully bend the branch into the shape desired. This may have to be done very gradually, so that the branch does not break. The wire can be removed after about four months when the branch has set in its new position.

There are various other techniques you can use to shape your tree if you really get into this subject.

Re-potting needs to be carried out every two or three years in early spring. The procedure is to remove from the pot carefully and shake off all the compost. Spread the roots out and cut off the lower one third. You can also trim the top of the tree by about the same amount if necessary - possibly reducing some parts of the mature branches. Before replacing in the pot, add a small drainage layer at the base, then gradually reintroduce the roots, filling around with a new mixture of loam, leaf mould and horticultural sand. Water thoroughly and keep in a slightly shady position for about a month, keeping the compost moist, until new roots have formed.

Your bonsai should only be taken indoors for very limited periods, or it would certainly become damaged or killed. If the subject is a tender tree, however, then it would need to spend most of its life in a heated greenhouse, again only coming into the house for short display periods. Normal hardy subjects should be kept outside in a position exposed to full sun and fresh air all year long, protected from strong winds which may blow the container over and damage the plant.

Good luck and enjoy!

Sibe.

Interested in other small trees? See Roof-Top Robinia. For a completely different look to your neighbours, try Creating a Japanese Garden.