Bonsai is a Japanese art of tree cultivation that is many thousands of years old. The appeal of this form of cultivation is that it allows the trees, which remain small, to be grown true to nature - just in a mini format. This Japanese tradition has long since arrived here, as evidenced by numerous clubs in Germany and a wide range of specialist literature and information on the Internet. You don't need any exotic tree species for bonsai cultivation; a seedling from a local tree will also meet the requirements.
Which native trees are suitable for bonsai?
Pedunculate oak, European beech, Norway maple, pine, hawthorn, cornelian cherry or wild apple are suitable for bonsai from local trees. To train bonsai, you either grow seeds yourself, collect seedlings or use older trees as blanks.
How to get a suitable tree
Local trees offer many advantages for growing bonsai: Raw material is easy (and cheap!) to obtain because you just have to go to the forest or park, and these species are also adapted to the local climatic conditions Conditions optimally adapted and do not require any extra care such as wintering in a cold house. Instead, they are ideal outdoor bonsai that can be wonderfully placed in the garden. You should only prefer exotic tree species for an indoor bonsai, because oak, maple, etc. do not survive long in the living room. You can get a suitable bonsai blank in different ways:
- They grow their own trees from seeds.
- They collect seedlings in the spring, which they carefully dig up and pot up.
- They are specifically looking for small, older trees.
However, you must be careful with wild trees and observe local nature conservation laws. Seedlings or young trees are not allowed to be taken from every forest!
Which native tree species are suitable for bonsai?
In principle, all native tree species are suitable for bonsai. However, it is an advantage if you prefer varieties with naturally small leaves, as this eliminates the need for complicated leaf cutting for beginners. In addition to large trees such as English oak, European beech, Norway maple and pine, many shrubs can also be trained into tree bonsai. In particular, beautiful bonsai can be formed from hawthorn, cornelian cherry, wild apple, etc.
Making a bonsai from a blank – the basics
Many years of careful care are necessary before a seedling becomes a finished bonsai. The Basics:
- First let the seedling grow in the pot for a few years.
- Cut it regularly so that it develops thick branches and a thick trunk.
- To do this, keep shortening the later main branches and cutting off others.
- Only after a few years does the tree come into the typical flat bowl.
- Now the design of the real bonsai begins using scissors and wire.
Tip
Watering and fertilizing a bonsai properly is a tricky task: After all, the tree needs enough nutrients, but too many of them lead to undesirable increased growth.
