A lot of readers wrote in asking for more information on Bonsai gardening. This is an excellent option, as a form of indoor gardening and a very rewarding hobby, especially for those living with confined spaces. In the previous 2 parts, we covered the basics and then looked at the Juniper and the Japanese Maple as options. Today we look at more option, like the Chinese Elm and the Dwarf Pomegranate.

#4:  Chinese Elm

Indigenous to East Asians, the Chinese Elm grows to a height of about 18 meters. It is tall and noted particularly, for it’s spreading bark and they are stippled, with different colors, including cream, dark gray and reddish brown. The great thing to know about this specie, is that it works best for both indoor and outdoor applications. According to some reviews, it stays semi-evergreen in color, when kept indoors, and changes to deciduous, if kept outdoors.

The Chinese elm has long been noted, as a good species to take care of, for those who are just starting out, in the trend of tray planting. This is probably due to the fact, that the Chinese elms grow predictably. They are also quite forgiving, especially when pruned, and being a slow-growing species, it’s no wonder, that more and more people are now using it, for bonsai purposes.

To maintain the good health of your Chinese elm, you need to protect the trees, from harsh weather, including the cold and harsh wind. Aside from that, you need to prune the tree, right after it’s growth period, while leaving at least one, or a couple of nodes, near the main branch, or trunk, for it to grow in the right style, as you want. You can further keep your bonsai lively, by feeding it with moderate amount of water, all year round.  Just make sure to keep the plants moist all day and night. Finally, you need to repot the tree, early in the spring.

#5:  Dwarf Pomegranate

Named scientifically as the Punica Granatum var. Nana, the dwarf pomegranate is but another popular specie of bonsai admired particularly for its flowering and fruiting properties.  It is named as “dwarf” simply for the fact that this variety grows with smaller trunks and branches, as well as finer leaves, fruits and flowers.  These qualities are what specifically made it perfect for this miniature horticultural hobby.

The dwarf pomegranate naturally grows with bending trunks.  They are also valued for their ancient appearance, which is but one of the most sough after aspects in bonsai.  In case, you are not familiar with this tree, note that its leaves appear dark green in color, but with shades of bronze.   After the flowering season, the pomegranate produces fruits that are in spherical shapes.  And, what’s more interesting to know about this species is that it fits to almost all styles of bonsai, including cascade, tree on rock, informal upright, forest, twin trunk, root over rock, literati, group, windswept, and twisting, to mention but a few.

General Care and Maintenance:

When it comes to general care, it is worth knowing, that the dwarf pomegranate is easy to propagate. With this fact in mind, you can easily and quickly create group plantings, of this variety. However, when planting, or growing one, make sure to keep the plant damp, or moist, at all times. For it to develop shoots of flowers, try to keep it shaded, but slightly dry, and protect it from strong, or harsh winds, all year round.

Another important thing to note, is that the dwarf pomegranate should not be kept planted in a container, or pot, that is shallow. Unlike the pines, this particular specie of bonsai loves water. For this, it is a rule of thumb, for every bonsai beginner, to select a deep pot.  In terms of wiring, just keep your plant free from bruises and breakages. This is so necessary, since the pomegranate, by nature, is very brittle.

A lot more species of trees and plants are available, out there, in nature, for you to take, for your bonsai project. Included in the list of the other most well-known species, are the Zelkova, cedar elm, ficus, fuchsia, jade tree, serissa, star magnolia, wisteria, trident maple, fukien tea, flowering quince, English box, contoneaster, and lot more. Note that each of these varieties has their own qualities, that make them a potential candidate, for tray planting. However, since they vary in type and origin, it is always necessary for every beginner, in the bonsai trend, to know everything about the fundamental facts, of these trees. The good news is, that there are now a number of resources available, for you to consider. You can find them offline and online, depending on what you are actually looking for.

Speaking of offline resources, you have the chance to read some books and magazines, that tackle some of the most popular species of bonsai.  These books are distributed and marketed anywhere in the world, nowadays, thus finding them is easy and quick. You can go directly to one of the larger stores, near your place, or you can ask a friend, who owns a book that mentions bonsai planting. If you prefer to buy one, from a reputable bookstore, just be prepared to spend enough money, to get an informative book, with lots of pictures. If you’re lucky enough, you might find some bonsai books, offered at discount prices. So just take the best deal.

On the other hand, if you find searching for reliable resources, on the web, easier and quicker, than the traditional means, then why wait. Fact is, you can do this job anytime of the day, or night. You can even do the search, in the comfort of your own room, provided that you have the internet connection. The key to finding the right resources, on the web, is to use the most reliable search engine available. You can use either Google, or Yahoo as your starting portal. Both of these can lead you to a number of sites, featuring a wealth of information, about bonsai planting, including it’s basics and advanced techniques. So, wherever online you may go, take time to read some of the helpful tips provided.

Whatever information you may take, make sure it covers the right style of bonsai, and is all there is, possible, for the specific variety of tree, that you are considering. Start thinking about the style in mind, and make sure, that when you practice it, you exactly know what you’re doing. Perhaps the good thing to do here, for you to succeed in your bonsai growing project, is to know some of the basic steps involved, in each of the styles you are thinking of forming. Just learn the steps, and do everything you can, to make your tree, a true “bonsai”.

When all else fails, then don’t panic. Rather note, that mistakes do happen, whether you want it to happen, or not. The bonsai masters of today, have all experienced that. Yes, they were once novices too and they have all had their own trials and errors. So don’t ever quit. Just go on and you’ll realize one day, that you too, can develop a bonsai, just like the professionals.

An excellent read is the ebook Bonsai Indoor Plant Guidebook. Apart from orchids, another very popular form of indoor gardening is Bonsai. To learn more about growing Bonsais indoors, see the book titled Bonsai Indoor Plant Guide.This is a comprehensive guide to growing Bonsai Plants Indoors. It is full of useful tips. Find out more here. http://dersalsites.com/bonsip/

Sally Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. She and her husband Derek, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening.

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