Two Months After

It’s been a long time since I posted an updates on my bonsai blog. This is because after more than two months since I started training the tree that I have chosen, only few improvements happened. Though there are new branches appear, the trunk maintain it size. I think it has the same size since I posted the last updates. I tied a copper wire to the new branches to form it on my desired design and position.

My Model Bonsai

This is how I want my Bonsai to look like.


After one month there are only few improvements. New leaves are already growing in some of the trim branches but the leaves are still big and are not proportionate to the size of the trunks. There are still few leaves, very far from the tick leaves I want to, like in my model bonsai tree. I also accidentally killed one of the branches; I have twisted it too much when putting the copper wire.

Bonsai Training

Since the tree that I will train into bonsai has been selected, I have transferred the selected tree to the pot I created and did some pruning and trimming of leaves and root.


Following my guide whom I posted earlier, I cut some unwanted branches, buds and leaves.


I already cut this tree before that is why the mark of it is showing. I elevated it a bit to show the root, it also exposed the part of trunk that is previously covered by soil. Being covered by soil for a long time gives the trunk a matured look. I also tied copper wire to some of the branches. The selected tree almost looks like a bonsai already because it has been in the small pot long ago.

How To Make Your Own Bonsai?

{ I already have some basic knowledge on how to grow bonsai tree, which I learned from observing and reading some bonsai growing technique in the Internet, newspaper and magazine. I actually keep a newspaper clipping, which will be my guide in growing the bonsai tree. I have decided to post it here for others to read.}



1. Trim off excess leaves from the trunks to show the lines and potential branches that to be retained or removed later.




2. Cut Off unwanted trunks from the base going forward. To create a tree-like effect, leave at least 1/4 inch of space between the base and the first trunk.




3. Tie wire around the branch. Secure first one end of the wire to the base of the chosen branch, then carefully and gradually wind around in a spiral up to the end of the branch.




4. Bend branch slightly with your fingers to achieve the desired shape, taking care not to break any part and making the bends look natural.




5. After wiring, trim off excess leaves.




6. To create an upright style, cut off the top leaves. Leave the plant for three to five months until there are new growths of branches, then start pruning again excess trunks.




7. When the tree is nice and beautiful, transfer the plant to a prepared tray with potting medium.




8. Arrange the plant and top the soil with moss.

Choosing the Appropriate Tree

Since I now have a pot to use, I need to choose the best candidate to become a bonsai tree from the tree saplings growing in my backyard. I have few tree saplings to choose from.



The Mansanitas tree is a small berry-like fruit. It just grows in one of the pot intended for my ornamental plant. The ornamental plant originally planted on that pot died because it was overpowered by the Mansanitas tree. I already cut this tree but it grows again, and last summer, this tree already dried up but new leaves show up again when the rainy season came.

The second one is the Kalamansi tree, a small citrus fruit that appears as cross between a lemon and lime. In the west it is variously known as acid orange, calamondin orange, or Panama orange. It has also outlived the ornamental plant in one of my pot but it has a small trunk, so it will be hard to for me to make it look like an old tree.

The last one is the Atis, in English it is most widely known as sugar-apple or sweetsop, also sometimes custard-apple. This tree is also durable and has a good size trunk, but the leave is a bit large, so it will not look good for a miniature tree.

Since the trunk and stems of Mansanitas easily grows and looks matured and its hardiness has been proven. And being the oldest among the tree sapling growing in my backyard, I think it is the best material to train into bonsai form. Since I had now a pot and had chosen the tree to use, I will start the practice of bonsai development, which will be documented on my next post.

Bonsai Pot

To start my quest of having my own grown bonsai plants, I need to acquire first the materials needed. The two important materials I need are the pot and garden soil. I have no problem with the soil because, I already have a compose I made from the kitchen waste. So the only material that I need to produce is the pot. I will no longer buy the pot, I will just create my own using any material available in my house. The Styrofoam from the packaging of the rice cooker I purchased can be used in creating the pot.



I will not follow the traditional size of bonsai pot. The size will depend on the available Styrofoam I have. I have a two octagon shape sytrofoam and the size is 1 square foot.



I removed the extra part in the center of styrofoam to widened the pot interior.



Then I joined them together using small stick and hot glue.



Bingo, I have now a pot for my first bonsai tree. I understand that the durability of this pot is questionable but I will only use this as a training box. I will then transfer it to the final presentation pot once the tree achieved the desired size, shape and design.