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Pruning is an important part of bonsai tree care. When it comes to caring for your bonsai, you’ll find that you’ll be pruning for two distinct purposes. The first reason to prune is to clear away branches that clutter the clean lines of your tree. The other reason is to control the direction of growth. There are different ways to prune your bonsai – you may do branch pruning to direct the growth, or leaf pruning which will encourage new branches. Finally, you might also do root pruning, to help maintain the proper size and prevent illness.
Here are some tips to help you out when pruning your bonsai tree:
* Pick the branches that you wish to keep and then carefully remove the others.
* For new plants, allow the trunk to develop before pruning. Pruning branches from a developed trunk will increase the chances of survival of the tree.
* To help with choosing which branches need pruning, keep a simple sketch of the design you’d like for your bonsai. This will give you a clearer idea of what branches are obstructing or cluttering the style.
* You should start with a light pruning then give it two or three weeks and wait for the bounce back to decide if you need to do more.
* When trying to redirect your bonsai’s growth, prune heavier in one area and less in the direction you want to grow. Growth will be heavier in the less pruned section.
* Always remember when you are pruning your bonsai that you can always remove something later but it is very difficult to get it to grow back after you have cut it. So if in doubt leave it for now.
* Keep your bonsai from becoming root bound by pruning the root ball. Take out large roots and leave smaller, finer roots which are more efficient at absorbing water.
* For optimum results you’ll want to keep the roots and the branches balanced when pruning.
When the time comes to start pruning your bonsai, you’ll need to have the proper bonsai tools. To learn more about the tools needed to prune your bonsai, visit my page bonsai tool sets.
Written by: Kelly de Borda
Submitted May 16th 2010 & consists of 359 words.
Located in our collection of gardening articles.
Bonsai Tree Pruning – Tips To Proper Pruning For a Healthy Bonsai
Pruning is an important part of bonsai tree care. When it comes to caring for your bonsai, you’ll find that you’ll be pruning for two distinct purposes. The first reason to prune is to clear away branches that clutter the clean lines of your tree. The other reason is to control the direction of growth. There are different ways to prune your bonsai – you may do branch pruning to direct the growth, or leaf pruning which will encourage new branches. Finally, you might also do root pruning, to help maintain the proper size and prevent illness.
Here are some tips to help you out when pruning your bonsai tree:
* Pick the branches that you wish to keep and then carefully remove the others.
* For new plants, allow the trunk to develop before pruning. Pruning branches from a developed trunk will increase the chances of survival of the tree.
* To help with choosing which branches need pruning, keep a simple sketch of the design you’d like for your bonsai. This will give you a clearer idea of what branches are obstructing or cluttering the style.
* You should start with a light pruning then give it two or three weeks and wait for the bounce back to decide if you need to do more.
* When trying to redirect your bonsai’s growth, prune heavier in one area and less in the direction you want to grow. Growth will be heavier in the less pruned section.
* Always remember when you are pruning your bonsai that you can always remove something later but it is very difficult to get it to grow back after you have cut it. So if in doubt leave it for now.
* Keep your bonsai from becoming root bound by pruning the root ball. Take out large roots and leave smaller, finer roots which are more efficient at absorbing water.
* For optimum results you’ll want to keep the roots and the branches balanced when pruning.
When the time comes to start pruning your bonsai, you’ll need to have the proper bonsai tools. To learn more about the tools needed to prune your bonsai, visit my page bonsai tool sets.
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