Tips for Buying an Indoor Bonsai Tree

A bonsai tree is a plant that many people love for their homes. They have a lot of character, they are unique, and because they need constant and delicate care and maintenance, they are perfect for hobbyists. If you are going to attempt to care for a bonsai, you will quickly find that it may be overwhelming to start the process. There are over 100 different species of bonsai, for instance, many of which can be grown indoors. 

Some of the more beginner-friendly species include Schefflera and Ficus; however, almost any small tree can be turned into a bonsai tree with the right care. On top of that, you will find that there are a number of different shapes that you can choose for your bonsai. Most of them, especially beginner trees, will be pre-trained. Only advanced growers should attempt to buy a seedling and train a tree on their own. Though growing a bonsai from a seed sounds fun, unless you have knowledge, it likely won't survive. 

Things like placement of your bonsai will also be important. Remember, bonsai trees are plants and they need enough light, the right level of moisture, as well as good air circulation. The light in your home may not be adequate enough, so you will likely have to get some special plant lights. You will also want to be sure that you are keeping the humidity right, as most homes are fairly dry. 

These things aren't meant to dissuade you from buying a bonsai. These are simply facts that you should know before buying an indoor bonsai tree for your home. Before you buy an indoor bonsai tree, you should be aware of these things, as well as others in order to ensure that you are choosing the right tree to get you started in this fun and very exciting hobby.

1. Look at the Trunk Before You Buy

One of the most important tips when it comes to purchasing the right bonsai is to buy one that is healthy from the start. You will find that one of the best indicators of bonsai health will be the trunk. You will want to focus on buying a tree that has a trunk that is thicker at the bottom than on the top. The top should taper off and be thinner. You will also want to take a look at the surface of the trunk. It should not be scarred or have damage to it. The surface of a healthy bonsai should be very smooth. You may see that some bonsai trees have double trunks, often called twin trunks. These trunks should divide at the base of the tree, not higher up.

2. You Should See the Roots of an Indoor Bonsai Tree

Another thing that you should look for before buying a particular indoor bonsai tree is the roots. Generally, when you buy a bonsai tree from a seller, you will receive the tree already in a pot or container as they are already trained to grow in a certain shape. When you look at the container, you should be able to see the roots sticking up from the soil. Though they are sticking up, they should still be anchored securely into the container. You should not buy a bonsai with any type of roots that look awkward or roots that are sticking out of the soil.

3. Notice the Branches of an Indoor Bonsai Tree

You will also want to notice the branches of an indoor bonsai tree before you buy. The branches of the bonsai tree can be a wonderful indicator of the health of the tree. A Good Bonsai Will Have... Branches that have even distribution. Branches that are fairly low on the trunk.

Branches that are angled correctly. If one branch of the tree is angled to the right, the other should be angled to the left. A Poor Bonsai Will Have...

Branches that are crossed. 

Branches that lose their size as they go up the tree. 

Branches that are thick and gnarly. They should not block any view of the trunk. 

4. The Leaves of an Indoor Bonsai Should Look Healthy

As with any plant, you should make sure to look at the foliage of these trees. If the plant has needles, as some species of bonsai do, they should be uniform in color and healthy. Leaves on the bonsai should be glossy and bright, again, with no areas that are dried out or are not uniform in color. Depending on the species of the tree, you will want to be familiar with the color the leaves are supposed to be and if buying the tree on the Internet, make sure to see a photograph of the exact tree that will be shipped to you. Finally, you will want to make sure that you are choosing an indoor bonsai that is not only placed in the pot correctly, the bonsai pot should be one that is appropriate for the plant. When planted, a bonsai tree should be growing up from the center of the pot and not from the left or the right.

Anything else could cause further growth of the bonsai to be off. When it comes to depth, you want to make sure that you are choosing a plant with a pot that is approximately the same height as the tree, unless the bonsai is cut in the style known as "cascade." When it comes to width, the pot should be approximately two-thirds of the tree's height.

Conclusion

The world of bonsai cultivation is a special one and there are many things that you will need to keep in mind as you start growing your own trees. Many people will go through a period of trial and error as they start learning the art and science of growing bonsai. In fact, it is not unusual for people to go through several trees before they have one that lives for an extended period of time. If you are interested in growing bonsai, it can be very rewarding; you just need to make sure that you are going about it in the right way. The best way to do this is to buy a sturdy and healthy tree from the start.