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The art of bonsai tree growing takes many years to truly master. There are many instructions and techniques you will need to learn and applying these techniques correctly will have a massive affect on the health and beauty of your tree.

You will need to learn how to fertilize your plant properly. This happens naturally in the wild when dead plants and animals land and decompose near a plant. As they decompose they return their nutrients and nutrition back into the soil. If a plant is growing near this decomposing organism, it will now re-adsorb the dead organisms nutrients to help itself grow.

If you’ve got an indoor plant or a potted bonsai tree then this is less likely to occur naturally and so instead you’ll have to fertilize your plants manually. The best way to do this is by using naturally occurring fertilizers such as compost or manure. These can be obtained from your own garden or from neighbours. Alternatively you can buy fertilizer from gardening stores and they will perform an adequate job instead of using naturally occurring fertilizer. However, natural compost is better to use if possible.

You’ll want to master the art of cutting, pruning and trimming your plant. This will take a long time to learn as well. The first and most basic technique you’ll want to learn is how to pinch and twist off any new unwanted growths. This can be done by using your thumb and forefinger. Tools will be required if you wish to remove the larger branches smoothly. To do this properly you should cut into the branch very slightly so that when the growth heals it doesn’t bulge outwards too much. If the wound is too large then wood sealant should be applied which can be removed later on. This protects your tree from any bacterial or fungus infections.

Wiring is another skill you’ll have to master if you want to style your tree correctly. This can be achieved through the use of aluminium or copper wires. Gradually over the coming months and years the tree will grow into the correct shape that you have set your wires to. When removing the wires remember to cut them off and not unravel them as this can sometimes damage the trees branches.

Another skill is learning how to repot your plant properly. Depending on how fast you tree is growing you’ll probably need to do this every year or so. You’ll especially need to do this if the tree has become cramped or clogged due to excessive root growth. This will cause the air and water to stop circulating inside the soil, which can eventually kill the tree if the roots begin to rot. You can notice when a bonsai tree is being cramped or clogged because the soil will begin to rise outwards from the pot. Repotting should also occur as the trees size changes, however you must remember to still keep the pot small as the aim of bonsai tree growing is to grow the tree in miniature.

Finally, learning to water your tree really depends on the species that you have bought and the climate that you’re living in. Generally you just want to keep the soil moist so that the tree doesn’t dry out. This should be done with rainwater if possible but tap water is fine if you have not been able to collect any rain.