Most bonsai tree’s only live for about 2 years. People buy them because they are beautiful, then stick them on the mantle or in a window and occasionally (or constantly) water them. This is unfortunate because they could very well live for decades or longer! Bonsai can be very low maintenance, as long as you know how to care for the plant. There are a few pitfalls to watch out for. This is our list of the most common mistakes people make.
1) Keeping Tropical Bonsai Trees Indoors
When it comes to keeping bonsai trees indoors, it’s often a contentious issue. Most bonsai should be kept outdoors for most times of the year but this all depends on location. However, when it comes to tropical bonsai it’s never a good idea to keep them indoors except in extreme weather conditions.
The main reason you shouldn’t keep tropical bonsai indoors is there isn’t enough light or humidity for them to thrive long-term. Only bring them in for a few days occasionally if it gets very cold or snows outside. In this case, it’s a good idea to put them in an area with high humidity and invest in some artificial lighting for them.
Many people try to do this but it usually doesn’t work out. Even the masters as National Bonsai Museums keep the majority of their bonsai trees outdoors and they are some of the best bonsai artists.
2) Over-Pruning Your Bonsai
We all know how relaxing pruning can be. It is meditative and allows you to connect with your plant. Don’t get carried away pruning though! Go slow and remove diseased or broken branches first. Your bonsai tree will need recovery time after pruning, and you should only heavily prune about once per year, in the right season! Check our pruning guide for a complete guide to pruning.
3) Watering Incorrectly
Get to know the plant’s watering needs. Some species require more than others. Sometimes the atmosphere is more humid or arid, creating vast differences in the required watering frequency. Too much water can kill the plant or have other effects like causing the root to rot.
4) Not Re-Potting Rootbound Bonsai Trees
This is one of the most common mistakes in bonsai. Roots should be trimmed, and the plant repotted on occasion. If the tree is younger, make sure to repot every 2 or 3 years, depending on the soil and root condition. Older trees can go up to 5 years. This can be time-consuming, so do yourself a favor and get a root hook if you don’t have one!
5) Doing Root Work Out of Season
Do most root work at the beginning or end of winter. Roots grow the most in early summer and have a shorter growth spurt in the autumn. Roots do not go dormant for winter like the above-ground sections of the tree do. They may not grow fast but they remain ready and willing. Do the work while they don’t have to support the dormant top part.
6) Working on Bonsai Trees to Early/Young
We recommend in waiting until a bonsai sapling begins to look like an actual tree before working it. This can vary by species and conditions, but it’s a good idea to let it grow at least 4 years before working it. It can be a long wait, but no if you are looking for speed, bonsai may not be the best hobby.
7) Work on Recently Potted Bonsai Trees
This is the most common form of the “One insult per season” rule. A bonsai tree needs time to adjust to a new pot or soil. Roots are in different places, the soil is different, nutrients are distributed slightly differently. Wait a few months and watch the tree and how it reacts to it’s new home. Once it looks like it’s healthy, start working it slowly. We recommend to wait at least 1 year before doing any major work to the bonsai tree.
8) Not Getting to Know the Bonsai Before Working It
So you’ve got your brand new bonsai and ready to jump in with the shears. Slow your roll! Before you begin cutting away, you will want to perform what bonsai pro’s call “reading the tree”. This is just paying attention and studying the bonsai tree to get to know it. Is it healthy? over-developed? What color are the leaves? Are pests present? How are the roots, bark, branches, etc? Look for anything out of place or wrong and correct it first. Otherwise, you may hurt or even kill your bonsai tree.
9) Not Winterizing Correctly
There are several options here but it’s crucial to winterize during times when the weather gets around freezing. 23 degrees Fahrenheit is fatal to most plants. You can plant the tree in the ground to protect the roots from the frost. An easier method would be placing the bonsai under a shed or roof with blankets or insulation. Make sure to take inside at night in case of snow or lots of rain. We cover winterizing extensively in our Plant Dormancy Guide.
10) Ignoring the “One Insult per Season” Rule
Stick to this and you will have some healthy plants. There is some give and take to this rule because all insults are not equal. For example, if it’s spring and you have just repotted a really healthy tree that already has strong roots then it may be ok to trim the roots slightly. On the other hand, let’s say you have a root-bound plant in old dirt and you have to trim more roots than you would normally do, it’s a good idea to let that plant rest for a season. Think of it like it’s surgery, and the bonsai tree can only handle so much trauma.
11) Not Addressing Pests in Time
Pests are a constant problem throughout the life of a bonsai tree. If you don’t pay attention, your bonsai tree will have an infestation in no time. Pests can do damage or even kill your bonsai tree, not to mention spread to other surrounding plants.
Make sure to study your bonsai tree often and notice any insects present. This Bonsai Pests Guide is the best one out there. It covers how to identify and remove the most common bonsai pests. You may also want to buy or make some good insecticidal soap as a precaution.
