When Should I Plant a Bonsai Tree From a Seed?
The perfect time to plant bonsai seeds is in the fall season. This will allow a dormancy period through the winter and have them gradually entering into spring when they should germinate and sprout. Then they get a full summer to grow. This isn’t required but it’s optimum, depending on the tree species.
If you are planting your bonsai tree indoors, then it really doesn’t matter when you plant it. Just make sure it gets the correct amount of lighting each season. Check our Indoor Bonsai Growing Guide for the exact amount of sunlight needed.
How Long Does it Take a Bonsai Tree to Grow From a Seed?
It will take about 3-4 years for your bonsai tree to grow to the point where you can start to adjust it. For a mature bonsai tree, it could take up to 15 years but the results can be outstanding and the pride you will feel for the tree will be profound. If you are interested in doing this, we cover it in more detail here.
When Should I Plant a Prebonsai in a Pot?
A pre-bonsai is just an early-stage tree. You can find a forest nearby and pick your favorite one, dig it up, put it in a bonsai pot. The best time to do this is the beginning of spring. Spring is the most hearty season for most plants and will allow the bonsai to adapt to the pot and its new environment much faster.
How Long Will a Bonsai Tree Live?
The life span of a bonsai tree mostly depends on the owner. There are bonsai trees out there that are thousands of years old. One even survived an atom bomb. Make no mistake, a bonsai will die if not cared for effectively. It’s ultimately up to you to make sure that it is taken care of, but if done so correctly they are capable of living for centuries.
Are Bonsai Trees Hard to Grow?
Bonsai trees are not hard to grow but they can have certain challenges that other’s plants don’t. Bonsai trees grow very slowly and they are often not in a natural habitat, so they can be somewhat tricky. With some attention, patience, and may a little luck, a bonsai tree can be just as strong and healthy as a natural tree. Sometimes even more so, because you control every aspect of the environment.
Some species of bonsai are harder to grow than others. Your location and the climate can also play an important role in which species of bonsai you have. Ficus bonsai trees are the easiest for most environments, you can also grow these hearty trees indoors. Deciduous species can be very challenging if you’re a bonsai beginner, although they can be some of the most prized specimens. Check your hardiness zone and choose a plant that will grow well in that zone. It’s a good idea to choose a species that already grows naturally in your area.