Did you know that bonsai is a trimming method that goes back to 700 AD, not a sort of plant? The Japanese maple, juniper, ficus, and jade are just a few of the trees that are appropriate for bonsai. It’s a frequent misunderstanding that Bonsai trees must be kept inside. The majority of bonsai should be planted outside, where they will be exposed to all four seasons, much like regular trees. Indoors, where temperatures are high and consistent throughout the year, only tropical and subtropical plants can thrive. Bonsai was formerly reserved for the wealthiest nobles and high-ranking members of Japanese society, but it is today a popular art form appreciated by people all over the world.
Bonsai Tree Care Indoor
Taking care of Bonsai differs from taking care of regular potted house plants. The major reason for this is because Bonsai trees are grown in small pots with limited storage space for fertilizers and water. More significantly, tropical plants are accustomed to high levels of light and humidity, which are difficult to duplicate inside.
Specific care of indoor Bonsai:
Light
The primary disadvantage of maintaining a tropical Bonsai tree indoors is that the light intensity is significantly lower than it is outside. Trees won’t die right away if they don’t get enough light, but their development will slow and the plant will become weaker over time. When growing Bonsai inside, it is strongly advised to place your Bonsai in a sunny area, preferably immediately in front of a window facing south.
Artificial lights can help your tree compensate for the lack of natural light. For example, for around 10 hours a day, you can use fluorescent lighting with growth-friendly spectra or light-emitting diode illumination.
Humidity
Another difficulty with maintaining a Bonsai tree indoors is that it requires a lot of humidity, which is considerably greater than what your house provides, especially if you have heating or air conditioning. Place your Bonsai tree on a humidity tray filled with water and spray it several times a day to enhance the humidity around it. During the day, you may also circulate air from outside by opening a window.
Watering & Fertilizing
The most essential guideline is to avoid watering on a regular basis. Ignore the label on your Bonsai tree that says you should water it every x number of days. The ideal approach is to keep an eye on your tree and its soil, only watering when necessary. For further information, see the sections on watering and fertilization.
Temperature
Tropical tree species require rather high temperatures throughout the year, equivalent to your living room’s typical ambient temperature.
Subtropical Bonsai trees can endure somewhat lower temperatures and flourish in winter when the temperature is far below that of the usual room temperature.
Juniper bonsai trees are the easiest to care for for novices, making them ideal for newcomers to bonsai. Gardenia bonsai, for example, are excellent for adding diversity to your bonsai collection.
To summarize, choose the appropriate tree species and follow the special care instructions for indoor trees, and your bonsai will thriv
