Ruppa Shah
Plant Expert
Text: Aruna Rathod
Photograph: Shutterstock

Creating a bonsai is easy but requires time, patience and observation skills. At the same time it teaches patience and respect for nature. Bonsai expert Ruppa Shah gives the steps to create a miniature bonsai.
 
  1. For starters, we need to know the things required to create a bonsai. These are a flat pot, about 3 inches deep and reasonably wide with a hole for drainage, bonsai soil, aluminum wire to shape the branches, nets to cover the bottom of the plant and a variety of cutting scissors. It's always good to source this material from a nursery that stocks bonsai material. Here, you will also find good 'starter' plants for this exercise.
  2. There are specific plants for making a plant into bonsai; for beginners the best option is the ficus. Remember to choose a plant with small dense foliage that can resemble the canopy of a fully grown tree. So opt for a healthy looking plant that has a good thick trunk.
  3. Now uproot it and expose the roots; if it’s a plant with plenty of roots, cut off some roots at the end but make sure that you do not tamper with the tap root (the main thick root).
  4. Then prepare the pot by covering the hole at the bottom with a net or a large pebble so that water drains out without letting the fine soil go through it. Once the pot is filled three-fourth, place the plant firmly in the soil and add the rest of the soil and press hard to make the plant steady.
  5. Observe the plant from all angles; bonsai should always have a back and front portion. Cut off the criss-cross branches, giving the canopy a round shape. Once the branch grows out, keep pruning the canopy to keep it in shape.
  6. You should be able to tell the health of your plant by just looking at it. Be observant and check whether the leaves are wilting or turning yellow. Yellow is a sign of lack of sunlight and nutrition. Also, fertilize it if you think your plant looks a bit weak. Use chemical fertilizers if needed.
  7. Spray the leaves gently with water. This depends on several factors (like species of tree, size of tree, and size of pot, time of year, soil-mixture and climate. Watering once a day is sufficient. Carefully observe the plant while watering and prune the branches that grow out. It takes a year for a bonsai to resemble a miniature tree if done in the right way.
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About the author
Ruppa Shah
Plant Expert

<strong>Ruppa Shah</strong> from Mumbai has been involved with nature and promoting a green revolution in the city since more than 25 years. She is a bonsai enthusiast and conducts workshops in bonsai for beginners and experts.

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