Exposed-root bonsai can be amazing compositions; we love the wild randomness of the roots and the crazy shapes that they make as our trees age and mature. Exposed root has been well explored in Japanese bonsai and in Chinese bonsai. To the extent that you can see at least the junction of the main roots and the trunk when it is potted, all bonsai should be exposed root. While creating exposed root bonsai from young material can take a few years, the process is fun and well worth the time. If you're inclined to some experimentation and have some good growing skills,...

Since bonsai is a set of techniques, rather than an individual species, two questions I commonly get asked are "Which species of trees work best for bonsai?" and "Can any tree be a bonsai?" The short answer to the second question is yes, any tree can be turned into a bonsai. Actually, any plant with a permanent wood-like structure, like a cactus or shrub, is a candidate for bonsai. The full answer is longer, as it includes a few if-then's and maybe's and relates to the answer to the first question. You can determine the suitability of a species for...

Water, air and sunlight are the three most basic and plentiful things that a plant needs to grow.  Most people remember enough from a high school biology class to know at least vaguely how photosynthesis works.   But do you remember enough from your chemistry studies to know what the optimal pH for bonsai nutrient absorption is?  Wait, do you even know what pH is?  Let's combine some bonsai and chemistry talk. pH it like a Pro. pH is a measure of the balance of Hydrogen ions - H+ which are positively charged in a solution of water); and Hyroxide...

Back in January I took apart a container full of rooted Kishu juniper cuttings and used the cuttings to create some rock plantings. In preparation for the operation I had taken some "lace rock" that I got from a stone yard in Santa Rosa, CA and first washed, then used a fabric spot gun, which is like a mini-pressure washer to remove dirt. I took each clean stone and examined it for the angles that I liked the most and then cast small composite bases to allow the stones to be used at the best orientation. The entire process wasn't...

One of the most common questions that people ask about bonsai is "How old is this tree?"  There is a sense of awe that we gain from the idea that a tree can live longer than a person, and that properly cared for, a bonsai can do the same.   Short Answer: Bonsai can live longer than you! Just keep them healthy and happy and they can be a lifelong companion.  Have a bonsai that died?  Don't stress - that's your opportunity to learn from your experiences, get another one! Trees and Age The average age of old-growth redwood trees in Northern California...

Drinking "8x8" of water and watering bonsai Water as solvent  Water is the solvent that makes all the chemistry in your body happen, and it is the lubricant that makes all the parts move smoothly.  Still, there is a lot of debate around the benefits of the 8x8 rule of water consumption.  But while the exact amount is debatable, nobody debates that healthy water consumption is essential. Similary, water for plants is critical, but too much water causes problems that may not immediately be apparent. Hydration and Dehydration symptoms in people. If you’ve ever participated in a health tracking challenge...

Three ways you can tell if your bonsai is healthy. We all know when we’re feeling sick, whether it’s a headache, a common cold or the flu - the symptoms are familiar to everyone. Determining if friends or family members are sick may be harder to spot; and when it comes to spotting the health of a plant, it’s a whole new ballgame. As you gain experience caring for your plant, it will get easier for you to determine its health in one glance. Follow these three guidelines to learn what to look for to tell the current health of your plant....