Binkey's Japan-Bonsai-Care

Shaping

There are several ways to shape an bonsai this is the usual ways. The Bonsai should only be seen from one direction so first you have to choose this direction.

Cutting

The most primary form of shaping iss to cut branches and shoots.
A bush has branches on the bottom of the trunk trees has not branches on the bottom.
Befor cutting

You cut this branches:

branches on the bottom of the trunk (1).
if two or more grows from the same height cut of all but one (2).
branches that grow vertical removes (3).
if two branches grows at the same way right beneath the other you remove one of them (4).
branches that crosses the trunk you also cut of (5).

New shoots is cut under the growing season.
Shoots on leaftrees you cut so there is two leaves left. On pines you cut the shoot after they have streched out. On the cypress and you lett the shoots grow out. After that you remove 1/3.
When you've got the shape you like you remove all shoots that is outside the shape area. If you want a branch to be larger you can lett it grow with out cutting a while.

Wiring

The wiring and bending of branches that give bonsai its shape is unique to the art. Copper wire is usually used for shaping bonsai because it is flexible. Light wires should be used for the branches and the heavier to the trunk. Wire only when the branches can be shaped without damaging growth. Wire trees only during their growing season. To not water the plant the day before you wire it; this will make the branches more flexible. When the branch has it's ready shape remove the wire. Wiring and shaping should begin at the lowest point of the tree, working upward. Do the following when wiring:

Anchor the end of the wire at the base of the tree before winding it. Push the end of the wire deep into the soil.
Wire from the trunk to the main branch. Use a foam pad under the wire to prevent damaging the bark. Keep the turns about 1/4-inch (1/2 cm) apart and spiral upward at a 45-degree angle. Do not wire too tightly. Be careful with the leaves. One length of wire can serve for two branches by anchoring the center of the wire at the trunk.

After wiring, the plant is shaped or bent by hand. Never try to straighten a branch that has been bent! This may split the bark.
Branches sometimes snap, even when carefully wired and bent. If the branch is not completely broken, rejoin the broken ends, and wind some garden tape around the break and it usualy heals quickly.
Wire should be kept on the plant for not more than 1 year. Remove the wire before the bark becomes constricted. When removing a wire, start at the outermost end of the branches, and take care not to harm leaves or bark.

Replanting

When the pot is full with roots you will have to replant your bonsai. Indoors bonsais needs to be replanted more often than the outdoor bonsai.
When you do this you should sometimes also trim the roots. A young plant produces more roots then an old plant so young plants can be cutted more. When young plants are replanted you can remove about one third of the roots. If there are any long heavy roots you can cut these to. You should in the long run make, like, a big box with plenty ramificated rootes.
With old trees it's usualy enought if you just cut of the 1:st inch (2:nd cm) in the root system.
Remember! The trees can take harder cutting than you think.

Soil

Bonsais grows best in the soil-type they have in nature. Pine, for example, lives on thin soil in nature and should be put in thin soil with mutch sand in it.
If you want more information I have very good links on my Link page.

Watering