DIY: No-Fuss Bonsai for Beginners - Gardenista

DIY: No-Fuss Bonsai for Beginners - Gardenista

DIY: No-Fuss Bonsai for Beginners - Gardenista

Photography by Cheryl Locke.
Photography by Cheryl Locke.
While there is no such thing as an effortless bonsai, we are making progress. With a modern, relaxed attitude, planting a bonsai is (almost) as easy as potting a houseplant.
While there is no such thing as an effortless bonsai, we are making progress. With a modern, relaxed attitude, planting a bonsai is (almost) as easy as potting a houseplant.
In Koyahashi’s world, everyday plants–shrubs, seedlings, tiny trees at your local nursery–can become bonsai.
In Koyahashi’s world, everyday plants–shrubs, seedlings, tiny trees at your local nursery–can become bonsai.
And when it comes to sourcing a pot, you don’t have to use a container in the imperial style, unless you live in a palace. With a drill and a diamond tile bit, you can turn any ceramic bowl into a planter.
And when it comes to sourcing a pot, you don’t have to use a container in the imperial style, unless you live in a palace. With a drill and a diamond tile bit, you can turn any ceramic bowl into a planter.
One challenge to growing a traditional bonsai is you need to find a sapling with the potential to train into a majestic tree in miniature.
One challenge to growing a traditional bonsai is you need to find a sapling with the potential to train into a majestic tree in miniature.
Materials:
Materials:
I went to my local nursery and headed to the California natives section, where I found Euphorbia balsamifera, the little guy shown above at center left, and a drought tolerant cushion bush (left, back).
I went to my local nursery and headed to the California natives section, where I found Euphorbia balsamifera, the little guy shown above at center left, and a drought tolerant cushion bush (left, back).
Next, create a drainage hole. Using your drill at its highest speed (make sure you are wearing goggles), create a groove at a 45-degree angle.
Next, create a drainage hole. Using your drill at its highest speed (make sure you are wearing goggles), create a groove at a 45-degree angle.
Keep soil from draining and pests from crawling in with a screen mesh, secured with a tiny bit of wire.
Keep soil from draining and pests from crawling in with a screen mesh, secured with a tiny bit of wire.
The secret to happy bonsai is drainage.
The secret to happy bonsai is drainage.
Making one’s own bonsai potting mixture is a process. The volcanic rocks I hammered down to the size of rice grains, before mixing with Master’s Pride Potting Soil ($10.89 for a bag from Harmony Farm).
Making one’s own bonsai potting mixture is a process. The volcanic rocks I hammered down to the size of rice grains, before mixing with Master’s Pride Potting Soil ($10.89 for a bag from Harmony Farm).
Take the starter plant out of its container, and gently shake off and remove soil.
Take the starter plant out of its container, and gently shake off and remove soil.
To place moss around the trunk, make a snip along the center, and wrap it around the bonsai.
To place moss around the trunk, make a snip along the center, and wrap it around the bonsai.
The most tranquil part of raising a bonsai is grooming it.
The most tranquil part of raising a bonsai is grooming it.
Five hours later, just kidding, one hour later, I had potted all five of my bonsai. Meredith will take you into San Francisco’s Bonsai Society to Ask the Expert for more tips.
Five hours later, just kidding, one hour later, I had potted all five of my bonsai. Meredith will take you into San Francisco’s Bonsai Society to Ask the Expert for more tips.