Bonsai need regular pruning to maintain shape and to be shaped to the desired style. There are two types of pruning: 1) maintenance pruning, which "maintains" the shape of the tree, encouraging the plant to grow more sprouts and preventing it from overgrowing; 2) setting pruning, which serves for the aesthetic improvement of the plant, giving it a style and a precise shape.
Steps
Step 1. Learn the basic principles of tree growth
A tree tends to concentrate its growth activities near the top so that it grows taller and competes for sunlight in a forest. This feature is called "apical dominance" and helps the tree survive. However, this results in disproportionate growth because the lower branches are neglected, as an undesirable side consequence. To counter this effect, regular pruning is necessary.
Step 2. Remove the weeds
You can occasionally find weeds growing around your bonsai, especially if you just bought it from a nursery or it is planted outdoors. Gently uproot the weeds, making sure you don't accidentally damage the bonsai's roots. Young plants are particularly affected by damage to the roots because these are delicate.
Step 3. Decide the shape of the canopy you want to give the bonsai (and how big you want it to be)
Then start pruning it, cutting off overly developed branches and / or shoots. You may want to use twig shears. Don't be afraid to prune the top areas, as this will force the tree to grow evenly.
- The shoots must be pruned throughout the year to maintain the shape of the tree. Cut off old leaves and branches to force the tree to grow new ones.
- Cover larger cuts with sealing paste to prevent excessive sap loss.
- Water the tree thoroughly after it has been pruned.
Step 4. Prune the canopy
Occasionally, at the top of the tree it will be necessary to cut off excess branches that prevent light from reaching the lower fronds. Thin the foliage gently, carefully cutting and removing the small branches along with the buds.
- Mark the branch pieces you want to remove with a marker or thread.
- With sturdy bonsai scissors or shears, remove the identified branches and buds.
- Dead spikes from the previous season can be removed with wire cutters.
- Be sure to make cuts along the sap flow as this helps the tree recover faster and have less scarring.
Step 5. Remove the leaves
The bonsai needs to be defoliated in order to free it of large and old leaves, encouraging the growth of smaller and more aesthetically pleasing ones. This occurs mainly with deciduous trees, just after there has been a new growth. All the leaves must be cut at their base. Make sure you leave the stem intact. New smaller leaves will grow in their place. This is a risky technique, because if the removal of the leaves is not done at the right time, the plant will never recover.
Step 6. Set the shape of the bonsai according to the chosen style
To give the plant a certain look, you first need to have a clear idea of what you want. Bend thick branches or cut them, if they are too thick and do not affect the overall shape. If there are two similar branches too close together, cut one and keep the other.
Eliminate branches that have unnatural twists or turns that are unsightly
Step 7. Change the bonsai setting after purchase
When you buy a tree from a nursery, it is usually not pruned and has been grown without constraint. In this case, you can cut down to the base of the tree (called 'topping'). Some time later, new shoots will form on the stump, from which you can choose the new main trunk and cut off the rest.
- All cuts must be made horizontally.
- When trimming the branches, be sure to leave a small stump, which can be removed when the tree stops releasing sap. If it is not a deciduous tree, this small stump can be shortened immediately with wire cutters.
Advice
- Don't prune too many shoots at once. The plant may not be able to recover.
- Always water and fertilize your plants after a pruning session.
- Cut the shoots gently.
- Always smooth the edges after each cut.
Warnings
- Prune carefully because a tree can be permanently damaged if the wrong branches are cut off.
- Do not handle the tree continuously and do not cut random parts from the tree. A plant will slowly die if every new branch that grows is cut off.
- It is usually not a good idea to prune a bonsai that has been neglected as it may not be healthy enough to grow new shoots.
