The word bonsai is usually associated with those dwarf trees that are placed in ceramic or other attractive containers. People usually relate bonsai growing to the Japanese but this method of dwarfing trees actually started in China. The Japanese howeverdeveloped the art of bonsai growing.

A person who wants to start growing bonsai as a hobby should first have a love for plants & a lot of patience because bonsai-growing is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work & determination to select a suitable tree species to grow & prune regularly before a person can see the product of his efforts. There is more. This usually takes a year or more.

A person who has no knowledge of bonsai growing can join work shops & trainings. However – he can learn how to grow bonsai just by observing how bonsais are grown & by researching on the methods of growing bonsai.

Some people believe there’re specific tree species that are suitable for bonsai growing. Among the favorites species are maple, elm trees & pine trees. However – junipers, cherry trees with flowers & azaleas can also be very good species for bonsai growing.

There are people who just love plants & who discover bonsai growing on their own. They start by experimenting on plants that are common in the area. However – the plans species that should be chosen should have all the requisites so it will turn out an attractive bonsai later on.

Experts suggest choosing stocks or plant species that have been grown in the nursery as they have already become used to restricted conditions. A plant that has already rooted & which has intricate branches will be a good selection for bonsai- growing.

Other bonsai growers intentionally go straight to forested areas or the wilds just to collect their species. Just make certain that the gatherer should be prepared with all the necessary equipment for keeping the plant species fresh & healthy. Do not forget to bring along plastic bags & moss to wrap around the plants & to keep them moistened.

A plant that has just been uprooted from its source should be planted firmly on the ground first before it should be transferred on a bonsai container. The plant specie should first be given & opportunity to grow & to hold its roots before it’s subjected to transplanting again & pruning for bonsai.

A grower can also collect cuttings from suitable plant sources & then plant them & wait for them to root & become stronger before preparing them for the rigors of bonsai growing.

It takes a lot of creativity & passion to become a bonsai grower. It also takes a lot of common sense to be easily able to select the plant species that would prove a suitable plant for bonsai growing.

Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. Has been practicing bonsai & gardening for much more then 8 years. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com, a website with ressource for Bonsai seeds & tree seeds.