Bonsai is a wonderful hobby!  Houseplant bonsai are the easiest and most successful gifts!  The reasons are simple and logical. As lifestyles change there are a limited amount of daylight time to spend on hobbies. More are moving into apartments and urban dwellings without yard space. Bonsai is adapting to indoor environments and it can be very satisfying. It offers short respites to refresh our spirit in the midst of hectic lifestyles.

INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?

      Growing plants indoors is very different from traditional outdoor gardening or landscaping. The plants are different and require a whole different combination of temperature, light, watering, humidity, fertilizing, and even the type of soils. Whereas outdoor trees and plants become full size, indoor plants are generally kept smaller. Most indoor plants are container-grown and bonsai are beautiful, challenging container plants!

        Homes and offices are usually kept in the tropical temperature ranges by heating or air conditioning. The most common houseplants are tropical plants that adapt to this environment. If you look at houseplant books or magazines, you'll see a lot of vines, palms, and plants requiring a lot of light. There are only a few plants suitable for bonsai that will grow in "average" homes and offices as light levels are usually far too low for good plant growth.

Dwarf Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola) is Fuku-Bonsai's specialty and these are shipped to all parts of the United States.

Dwarf Schefflera has attractive leaves, interesting trunks and exciting aerial root systems.

HUMIDITY, MEDIA, WATERING & FERTILIZING

        Even though tropical plants can adapt to indoor temperature ranges, not all can be successful houseplants. Interiors are dry and the addition of humidity trays will create better growth. Tropical plants receive frequent rain in their natural habitats, and a potting mix similar to those used with cactus is preferred. When watering by saturation, the coarse granular mix allows water to penetrate to all parts of the potting mix and excess water quickly drains away. Moist air in the soil allows the roots to breathe and create vigorous growth.

        In indoor bonsai, over-watering and under-watering are the greatest problems. If outdoor bonsai potting mixes containing clay and finer particles are used indoors, the roots often do not have a chance to breathe properly and wate has difficulty penetrating. If watering is done by saturation, it may take too long for the inner root ball to dry out! Most "indoor plant potting mixes" contain too much organic matter for bonsai and stay wet too long. Special granular bonsai potting mixes are available from bonsai specialty nurseries. Water by saturation twice per week. If the media is extremely porous and fast draining, it is almost impossible to over-water.

        Fertilizing must be matched with plant growth and too often indoor plants are not fertilized at all until they begins to look a bit ragged. People try to make up for not fertilizing earlier and apply too much and burn the roots of a tree struggling to survive. This is a major reason why indoor plants are killed.  With the help and recommendations of our customers, we've learned that it is better to provide a small amount of plant nutrients each time you water.

        If indoor light is only 1% or 2% of outdoor light, a smaller amount of fertilizer is needed.  We've found that the ideal system is to dip-saturate your plant in "enriched water" made by adding two drops of Schultz Plant Food to a quart of water. If you live in an area that has hard water, consider using distilled water or reverse osmosis water to avoid unsightly mineral deposits.

LIGHT AS A MAJOR GROWTH FACTOR!

        Growth improves with the addition of more light. In the tropics, direct sunlight may range from 8,000 foot-candles to 1,000 foot-candles on cloudy days. In homes, within one foot of a window, light may be closer to 400 foot-candles. In rooms without windows lit only by fluorescent ceiling light, it may be only 50 foot-candles or less!

        The ficus or Fig family includes many tropical banyans and these are the most successful trees that can grow in high light greenhouses and commercial interiors. They are great under large skylights or next to window walls. But, if grown in "average" indoor conditions, they'll drop most of their leaves and become spindly.

        Supplemental light improves growth and there are many options. A combination of "cool white" and "warm white" fluorescent tubes are as effective as higher-priced "grow-lights." The closer the light, the greater the effect.  Plants tend to grow toward the light and having the light at the height of the base of the tree will encourage branches to grow downwards. If the other side of the tree receives side light from a window, it will grow in a manner more typical of mature tropical trees.

        Incandescent and metal halide lamps have more intense light and are often the choice of serious hobbyists seeking superior growth. These tend to give off a lot of heat (which is welcomed in cooler climates) but, if placed too close to the plants, it's possible to burn the leaves.  The continuing evolution of light emitting diodes (LED) technology promises superior plant growth using more effective combination of colored light. Because heat is not produced, much less energy is used and the lights can be placed amongst the plants.

WHERE OR HOW TO LEARN INDOOR BONSAI?

         If you need to have a teacher guide you, the best place to learn is your local bonsai club. Most bonsai clubs were formed by those who favor growing traditional Japanese-style outdoor bonsai.  Each region of the country has different outdoor trees for traditional outdoor bonsai and bonsai clubs can point out which trees do the best in your area. Many bonsai clubs are now conducting indoor bonsai workshops and these are popular with beginners, with ladies, and youth groups. 

         A professional bonsai grower in a tropical areas can produce houseplant bonsai efficiently and offer complete "kits" including prepared bonsai stock, training pot, coarse bottom soil, body media, and fine top dressing.  The kits also include tie-down string or wire, and a workshop handbook.  Independent bonsai instructors, clubs, and schools are purchasing at wholesale or at quantity discounts and indoor bonsai workshops are increasingly being offered in many parts of the country.  If there are no bonsai clubs in your area,  check with your nearest botanical garden or garden shop. 

         It is even possible to get personalized assistance from growers who provide complete individual workshop packages.  With the handbook and website resource material,  you can prepare for the workshop and ask email questions before purchasing,  after the packages are received, and even during and after the workshop. Some growers are happy to critique if you send clear photos.  This service is possible because of the Internet and because houseplants are the same throughout the world! 

        An indoor bonsai specialty grower can produce high-quality plants efficiently in large quantities.  Unlike outdoor bonsai,  a grower of indoor bonsai can supply customers in all parts of the country. In providing all items of the workshop packages, the grower is intimately familiar with the plants, the potting media and how the components perform in different parts of the country. 

        As houseplant bonsai material becomes available, indoor bonsai is becoming increasingly popular in Alaska and cooler parts of the country where outdoor bonsai requires an extraordinary discipline, skill, and commitment!  Indoor bonsai is also becoming popular in the Southwest where hot dry climates make outdoor bonsai a challenge.  Each year more indoor bonsai are grow and this has become the most popular and successful form of bonsai.

CREATING A JOYFUL BONSAI WORLD!

        Some traditional outdoor bonsai "purists" are unhappy with indoor bonsai.  They believe that the only true bonsai are aged specimens trained by Nature over hundreds of years that can be carefully collected from harsh environments. With great skill and artistry such treasures are patiently transformed into the finest celebrations of man and nature in harmony!

        These traditional outdoor bonsai are truly beautiful and deserving of all possible accolades.  They represent the highest level of skill and achievement by those who have dedicated many years to becoming the bonsai elite.  To these traditional bonsai hobbyists,  indoor bonsai are "too easy." They claim that the young trees can never compare to the grandeur of the traditional outdoor bonsai masterpieces!  But they're wrong.

         In their enthusiasm and in being caught up in the most competitive aspects,  too often they forget that bonsai is an art, a craft, and a hobby. Bonsai belongs to the world!  Children should be allowed to learn the discipline and wonders of nature!  Bonsai should be a quiet personal oasis amidst a world gone mad. Bonsai should be easy and bring joy! 

          Bonsai are living trees and keeping them healthy is the most important factor. Indoor bonsai are the easiest with the highest success and, therefore, are the ideal gift bonsai!

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