Bonsai care

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a Japanese word that literally translates as "planted in a pot." However, bonsai originated in China, where people began cultivating trees in containers millennia ago. Only much later did the Japanese adopt this art form, perfecting the various techniques (pruning, wiring, etc.). Around 1900, bonsai spread to Europe, where it was first presented to the public at the World's Fair in Paris. The absolutely stunning bonsai shown here was created by Teunis Jan Klein, a partner of the Bonsai Shop until 2025.

Despite popular belief, bonsai is not a tree species; it's a collection of techniques for cultivating, shaping, and caring for trees, with the ultimate goal of reflecting nature as closely as possible. The trees can reach great ages and are passed down through generations in Japan; one of the oldest trees can be found in Shunka-en (Tokyo) and is over 800 years old.

Are Bonsai trees difficult to care for?

No, it's actually quite easy. For most tree species, basic care is very simple: regular watering and proper placement. Tree species like the Chinese Elm (Ulmus) and Ligustrum, for example, are very hardy and can also be kept indoors. Subtropical tree species are often more difficult to care for because they require plenty of light and high humidity.

So why do bonsai trees so often die? This has a lot to do with the fact that people are used to caring for "normal" houseplants; these are in much larger pots and therefore have more water storage. If you forget to water your bonsai, it's an immediate problem because it doesn't store water in its small, shallow pot. If you're careful about watering regularly, there's no problem!

The basics of Bonsai care

Watering bonsai

Unlike normal houseplants, Bonsai trees Often placed in very small containers. This means there's little room to store water and requires frequent watering. However, the frequency of watering depends on factors such as pot size, tree species, and climate. So don't water every 'x' number of days, but observe: water bonsai thoroughly as soon as the soil begins to dry out slightly.

Location

Most tree species prefer plenty of light and a constant temperature. Keep in mind that some trees can only be kept indoors (particularly subtropical trees), while others thrive outdoors (even in winter). If you absolutely want a tree for your living room, choose a subtropical tree like a Ficus, or a hardy plant like a Privet or Chinese Elm.

Fertilize

Bonsai trees need to be fertilized throughout the growing season (spring and summer for outdoor trees, year-round for indoor trees) to replenish the necessary nutrients. There are fertilizers specifically formulated for bonsai, but you can also use other types as long as the NPK values are suitable. Liquid Pokon fertilizer, for example, works well. Don't fertilize too heavily, as the trees are in small pots.

Pruning

Pruning to maintain the overall shape of the tree can be done year-round. Special twig shears are helpful, but regular household shears can also be used for pruning twigs. Concave pruning shears are only recommended when pruning thick branches.

Flora and Fauna

We grow bonsai at our nursery as responsibly as possible. We can't separate flora and fauna; the two live in symbiosis. Sterile trees don't exist, and we would have to use very strong pesticides if we were to have a zero tolerance for insects. These pesticides are now irresponsible given the latest insights into biodiversity loss, etc. Naturally, we prefer to sell 100% clean bonsai, but that's not always possible. It's a new reality now that we no longer have to use harsh pesticides. Even if your bonsai arrives clean, with the warm (and often dry) weather and the absence of cold winters, there's a very real chance you'll be visited two or three times a year by a migrating family of insects. After hatching, you can often easily rinse these away with a strong jet of water (a heavy rain shower has the same effect in nature) or restore the balance with a mild pesticide. Insects live in cycles, so it's advisable to treat them three times, approximately one week apart. Especially indoors, the environment is very protected and there are few natural enemies, making your bonsai susceptible.

A video we made in the Japanese garden at Clingendael can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

 

Finally... Questions about your bonsai?

Bonsai are living works of art. Upon delivery, we do our utmost to send you a good and healthy bonsai. After that, its health depends on its location and the care you provide. You'll receive a sheet with all the care tips with your bonsai. We've also set up a comprehensive online information platform: Bonsai Empire . If you have any further questions, we're happy to help you get started during the first two weeks. After that, we offer various services to further enhance your bonsai and bonsai knowledge through Deshima Bonsai. Of course, we're always open to feedback and warranty service if there's anything wrong with the bonsai or products upon delivery.