FoBBS - FAQ

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Freqently Asked Questions(FAQ)

There is a range of questions asked by the general public during the larger horticultural shows that FoBBS attends. From these it is apparent that bonsai is largely misunderstood by the casual observer and demonstrates that it is worth clarifying the foundation, purpose and attraction of bonsai to enable interested individuals to judge how it could enrich their lives.

How old can one be?

How much does one cost?

Do they live indoors?

Do they lose their leaves like real trees?

I had a bonsai but it died

Isn't it cruel?

Where can I buy bonsai seed?

1. How old can one be?

It comes as a surprise to some that the owners of bonsai have not grown them from seed. Nor have they sold their cars and re-mortgaged their house to buy one that has been passed from one generation to the next.

Quite often bonsai are created from ordinary garden centre trees or shrubs, or plant material that is obtained from their own gardens, old domestic hedgerows or similar sources.

After potting, styling techniques are applied to create the natural tree shapes that appear in the wild. As for the age of the bonsai it really depends on a couple of factors. The time the tree has been growing naturally before being grown as a bonsai and the time it has been in its container. This can range from a few years to a few decades.

The important point is that they look like a mature tree, which is the whole purpose and art of bonsai, to create a natural image of a tree in miniature. But the only real way to tell its age is to cut it in half and count the growth rings!

Some bonsai masterpieces are worked for many years sometimes passing between different owners. The qualities of these trees will only improve with this sort of attention. Then as the seasons pass a wonderful transformation in the character and spirit of the bonsai is noticed. It is this that is the joy of bonsai.

2. How much does can one cost?

Although this unseemly quizzing might irritate some exhibitors it does at least indicate that there is a general acceptance that quality bonsai are objects of value. However, like many collectors items they are only worth what someone else is willing to pay. If there is no buyer then it does not matter what value the owner places on a tree.

Prices of bonsai usually reflect the quality of the plant material, the work the owner has invested in the tree to reach its current condition and the time it has been in bonsai cultivation. If the same criteria are applied to buying a bonsai as buying a piece of art for the home then a bonsai's value will become relevant.

3. Do they live indoors?

Many species of tree and shrub are used in bonsai. Most serious bonsai enthusiasts specialise in outdoor bonsai keeping their trees outside all the year round. There may be the odd occasion when these trees are bought indoors for display but this will only be for a couple of days or so.

Those tree species that are used as indoor bonsai are generally sub-tropical plants that benefit from the warmer domestic conditions. It is always worth checking with the bonsai trader which type you have bought and the conditions it prefers.

4. Do they lose their leaves like real trees?

Bonsai are real trees and follow the same growth patterns as their larger counterparts, which include dropping their leaves in autumn if they are a deciduous variety. If a bonsai were planted in the ground it would soon regain its normal size and form, and of course eventually become unrecognisable as a bonsai. It is worth remembering though that dormant bonsai still require their roots to be kept moist over winter. Just because it has lost its leaves does not mean it has stopped growing.

5. I had a bonsai but it died

So many people have had this unfortunate experience. We can offer a few suggestions to help with your next attempt.

Water it! Every day check whether it needs watering and make arrangements for watering if you go on holiday. Quite often bonsai outlets provide a holiday care service. Ensure that excess water is allowed to drain away do not allow the soil to be soaking wet for long periods.
Buy from a reputable dealer who knows about bonsai and can advise you throughout your first growing year.
Only buy a healthy bonsai that has been looked after properly. If there are signs that the tree has not been watered regularly, the foliage is scorched or if the soil is compact then buy elsewhere
Do not place your tree indoors if it supposed to live outside. For indoor plants, do not place them on top of the TV, radiators or on a window ledge in full sun.
Give the tree some fertilizer occasionally. Follow the instructions on the manufacturer's packet.
Even the most experienced bonsai enthusiast has lost trees. Do not be disheartened, learn by the experience and try again.

6. Isn't it cruel?

FoBBS loves this question! Plants do not have a nervous system like that of animals and therefore do not feel stress in the same way. Plant growth responses are largely triggered by chemical or hormonal changes as a result of environmental conditions. As far as bonsai practices are concerned, compare these to hedge or rose pruning, mowing the lawn, topiary, growing fruit trees in containers or any of a whole range of other horticultural practices.

Bonsai are not deliberately under watered or under fertilized to keep them small in fact quite the opposite. A bonsai will only look healthy if it has been well cared for which includes proper watering and feeding. Leaf reduction is a natural process as result of pruning; look at your hedge as an example, which has a fine, dense twig structure with smaller leaves as compared to a fully-grown tree.

7. Where can I buy bonsai seed?

There is no such thing as bonsai seed. Bonsai can be grown from ordinary tree seed of suitable species.