Bonsai Care (Location)

Bonsai requires care throughout all four seasons. Its maintenance demands time and attention, more so than regular garden or indoor plants. You must select an appropriate location where the bonsai will remain for most of the year, water it, apply fertilizer as needed, protect it from diseases and pests, shield it from intense sunlight and frost, repot it periodically, trim its roots, and refresh the soil.

As previously mentioned, bonsai is not an indoor plant. Although it is smaller in size compared to trees growing in nature, it is still an ordinary tree and requires seasonal changes throughout the year. Therefore, bonsai should be grown outdoors for most of the year.

The first step is selecting the right location to place the bonsai. Some species prefer sunny spots, others thrive in shade, and some do well in partial shade. When deciding to create a bonsai from a specific species, carefully consider whether you have a suitable location that meets that species' requirements where it can be permanently placed. In all cases, the spot where you decide to place the bonsai should provide the appropriate lighting for that particular species. The area must be clean and well-ventilated. Ideally, the plant should be positioned in a location where it is shielded from direct midday sunlight during the summer.

Insufficient lighting primarily affects the growth of new shoots. Newly emerged shoots will grow unnaturally long and weak. For instance, if a light-loving bonsai is placed on a balcony, it may receive light predominantly from one side. Leaves will constantly try to capture the maximum amount of sunlight, causing branches and leaves to lean toward the light source. As a result, the plant grows unevenly, favoring one direction. To prevent this, rotate the bonsai every 3–4 days. This allows the entire canopy of the bonsai to receive even lighting.

It is also important to protect the bonsai from strong winds. Strong winds may topple the bonsai along with its container from the stand. If shielding the bonsai from the wind is not possible, firmly secure the plant to the stand. Use string, wire, or any material available at hand. Strong winds can damage the leaves of some deciduous bonsai species. Although this won't kill the plant, damaged leaves can significantly detract from the aesthetic appeal of the miniature tree. The location where the bonsai is placed permanently should not be directly on the ground. In such cases, roots may grow out of the drainage holes and anchor themselves in the soil. Ground-anchored roots can rot and create an easy pathway for insects to enter the container.