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Growing Bonsai

Growing Bonsai

Grow your own miniature tree

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Species


The basic requirement for keeping and developing bonsai is knowing the species and its needs. Although in theory every tree species that is woody, and perannual, can be used to grow bonsai, some are used more frequently than others. Some indication of the species often used for bonsai you can find here.

Use the identification tool to figure out which species you have:

Tree identification tool by Growing Bonsai

  • The tree was bought in a mall, hardware store or similar
  • I have a Broadleaf species
  • I have a Coniferous species

Alternate / Broadleaf / Single-smooth / Singular-alternate / Species

Ficus for bonsai

February 18, 2022January 13, 2022 - by Jelle Ferwerda - Leave a Comment

Because of their mallsai affiliation, many people ignore ficus for bonsai Yet, many secies of ficus are great species for bonsai.

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Pomegranate bonsai
Alternate / Broadleaf / Single-smooth / Species

Punica Granatum – Pomegranate for bonsai

September 11, 2020August 30, 2020 - by Jelle Ferwerda

Pomegranate.. one great species for Bonsai!

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Broadleaf / Compound / Opposite / Species

Ash for bonsai

May 15, 2020May 3, 2020 - by Jelle Ferwerda

Ash are fast growing trees with opposing compound leaves. Identification is made easy thanks to the black buds.

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Bonsai Field maple branch tip
Broadleaf / Featured / Opposite / Singular / Species / Undulate

Field maple for bonsai

May 3, 2020May 3, 2020 - by Jelle Ferwerda

Field maples are often found in hedges and along countryside lanes. Their leaves reduce well. Unfortunately the branches do not ramify as fine as some of the Japanese maples and it is for this they are fairly uncommon as bonsai.

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Privet - L. ovalifolium
Broadleaf / Opposite / Singular / Smooth / Species

Privet (Ligustrum) for bonsai

April 26, 2020April 26, 2020 - by Jelle Ferwerda

Privets are a group of plants with somewhat ovate opposite leaves and smooth leaf edges.

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Coniferous / Short / Species

Taxus baccata and cuspidata

January 28, 2018April 19, 2020 - by - Leave a Comment

Many tree species are used as bonsai. Identification is at times dificult and keeping track of the treatment even more so. In this article we look at Taxus as a family for bonsai and how to care of them, as part of our section on shot-needled conifers for bonsai.

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Alternate / Broadleaf / Mallsai / Single-serrated / Singular-alternate / Species

Ulmus parvifolia

February 24, 2013April 19, 2020 - by - Leave a Comment

Ulmus parviflora for bonsai
. Is a great species for people that want fine twigs and tight foliage.

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A. Palmatum spring foliage
Broadleaf / Incised / Opposite / Singular / Species

Acer palmatum

February 20, 2013April 19, 2020 - by - Leave a Comment

Japanese Maple as bonsai
. one of the speciees with the most delicate foliage and an instant favour for most people that see this plant. The japanese maple makes excellent bonsai!

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Alternate / Broadleaf / Mallsai / Single-smooth / Singular-alternate / Species

Ficus microcarpa

February 18, 2013April 19, 2020 - by - 32 Comments.

Ficus microcarpa as bonsai
. Sold by the thousands daily, the typical ficus retusa / micropcarpa is not per se a good plant for bonsai. However, when working these species, some excellent plants can be grown.

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Broadleaf / Mallsai / Opposite / Serrated / Singular / Species

Sageretia Theezans

February 17, 2013April 19, 2020 - by - 3 Comments.

Sageretia Theezans as bonsai. A nice subtropical plant very well suited for bonsai.

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Manuals

Creating a Juniper bonsai rock planting

March 11, 2022January 13, 2022

Grafting Juniper Bonsai

February 25, 2022February 24, 2022

Larch bonsai side branch growing inwards

How to trim and wire larix bonsai

February 25, 2022January 13, 2022

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