The 10 Most Common Bonsai Questions Every Beginner Should Know
🌿 The 10 Most Common Bonsai Questions Every Beginner Should Know
Ever fallen down a bonsai rabbit hole, only to leave more confused than when you started? We’ve gathered the 10 most searched bonsai questions and answered them clearly, calmly, and with all the love your little tree deserves.
In our YouTube series, Thomas from Bonsai Barn walks through each of these in detail — scroll down for the full video playlist.
📖 Want to Go Deeper? Grab Our Beginner Bonsai Book: “Bonsai for Beginners: An Interactive Introduction” is a photo-packed, friendly guide to start your bonsai journey without the overwhelm. Buy it here.
1. What is a Bonsai Tree?
A bonsai isn’t a specific species — it’s a regular tree grown in a small pot, styled to look like a miniature version of a full-sized tree. It’s a living sculpture you help shape over time.
2. How Do I Start My First Bonsai?
Start with an easy bonsai species like Chinese Elm or Ficus. Get a healthy pre-bonsai or nursery tree and learn the basics of pruning, watering, and repotting. Avoid seeds unless you enjoy decade-long projects.
3. Can Bonsai Trees Live Indoors?
Yes, but only certain species like Ficus, Jade, or Fukien Tea. Most bonsai are outdoor trees that need full light, airflow, and seasonal dormancy.
4. How Often Do You Water a Bonsai?
No fixed schedule. Water when the topsoil feels dry. In summer, it may be daily. In winter, once or twice a week. Trust your finger — not your calendar.
5. What Tools Do I Need to Start?
Start with:
- Bonsai scissors or sharp pruning shears
- Chopstick (for root work and watering checks)
- Wire cutters (for shaping branches)
6. Can I Grow Bonsai From Seeds?
Yes, but it can take 5–10 years to get a trunk ready for styling. It’s rewarding, but most beginners start with young nursery stock.
7. How Do I Shape a Bonsai Tree?
Through time, wire, and gentle pruning. Learn styles like formal upright or cascade, then trim and guide growth gradually. Less is more.
8. What’s the Best Soil for Bonsai?
Use well-draining bonsai soil — a mix of akadama, pumice, and lava rock. Avoid regular potting soil, which holds too much water and suffocates roots.
9. How Do I Repot a Bonsai Tree?
Repot every 1–3 years. Remove the tree, prune roots, refresh the soil, and replant with good drainage. Spring is the best time.
10. Why is My Bonsai Dying?
Common reasons:
- Overwatering or underwatering
- Lack of sunlight
- Poor drainage
- Pests or root rot
Don’t panic. Trim dead parts, adjust care, and give it time.
📖 Want to Go Deeper? Grab our beginner book: Bonsai for Beginners.
🎥 Watch More Bonsai Videos: From shaping tips to tree spotlights. Watch on YouTube.
🌿 Join Our Facebook Community: Weekly tips, video extras, and tree critiques. Join here.
💬 Let’s Talk Bonsai: What was your biggest beginner mistake? Share it in the comments or on Facebook.
🌱 Final Thought: Bonsai isn’t just growing trees — it’s growing with them. Every leaf and repot is a chance to slow down and connect. Let’s keep growing together, one leaf at a time.
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