Milton Keynes Bonsai Society
Bonsai Basics
Discover the Art of Bonsai
Welcome to Bonsai Basics from the Milton Keynes Bonsai Society.
Bonsai is the art of growing and shaping trees in containers to create living representations of trees found in nature. The Japanese word bonsai (盆栽) literally means “planted in a tray” — bon meaning tray or shallow container, and sai meaning plant or planting.
Combining horticultural knowledge, patience and artistic expression, bonsai offers a rewarding hobby for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike.
Whether you're starting your first tree or looking to develop your skills, this guide will introduce you to the fundamentals of bonsai and help you care for your trees throughout the year.
Understanding Bonsai Styles
Bonsai trees can be developed in a variety of styles, each inspired by the way trees grow in nature. The shape of the trunk, the arrangement of the branches and the overall silhouette all contribute to a tree's character. Learning to recognise these styles is a great starting point for understanding bonsai.
The History of Bonsai
Bonsai is an art form with a history stretching back more than a thousand years. Although strongly associated with Japan today, its roots lie in the ancient Chinese tradition of creating miniature landscapes in containers.
Over the centuries, this practice developed into distinctive artistic traditions, combining horticultural knowledge, careful observation of nature and an appreciation of balance, age and beauty.
Perhaps the earliest image of a bonsai landscape.
An image of a Tang dynasty mural, dating to around 706 AD, depicting an early miniature landscape.
A Journey through time
Around the 7th century — Early Chinese miniature landscapes
Paintings from the Tang dynasty in China, including murals associated with the tomb of Prince Li Xian (653–684), provide some of the earliest surviving evidence of miniature landscapes featuring plants in containers. This tradition became known as penjing, meaning roughly “tray landscape” or “potted scenery”.
Around the 12th–14th centuries — The art develops in Japan
Potted trees and miniature landscapes appear in Japanese picture scrolls from the medieval period. The practice developed its own Japanese aesthetic, eventually becoming known as bonsai.
1603–1868 — The Edo period
The cultivation and appreciation of potted trees became increasingly established in Japan. Techniques, display practices and artistic approaches continued to develop.
1868–1912 — The Meiji period
As Japan opened more widely to the world, Japanese arts and horticulture attracted growing international interest. Bonsai began to reach new audiences beyond Japan.
20th century — Bonsai spreads worldwide
Bonsai became increasingly popular internationally through exhibitions, specialist nurseries, publications and the work of dedicated enthusiasts. Today, it is practised by people across the world.
1976 — An important international milestone
Japan presented 53 bonsai trees to the United States for its bicentennial celebrations. These trees became the foundation of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.
Caring for Your Bonsai
1. Watering Your Bonsai
Watering is one of the most important skills in bonsai and, with experience, becomes an art in itself. Getting it right means understanding your tree, its growing conditions and how these change throughout the year.
Unlike trees growing in the ground, bonsai are confined to relatively small pots, where the soil can dry out quickly. However, watering too frequently can be just as harmful as allowing the roots to dry out.
The key principles
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Check your soil regularly. Learn to recognise when it is beginning to dry rather than relying on a fixed watering schedule.
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Water thoroughly. When watering is needed, soak the entire soil surface until water flows freely from the drainage holes.
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Understand your tree. Species, soil composition, pot size, sunlight, wind and temperature all influence how quickly a bonsai uses water.
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Observe the seasons. Watering requirements can change considerably between warm summer weather and cooler winter conditions.
There is no single watering routine suitable for every bonsai. Learning to judge when your tree needs water is a skill developed through observation and practical experience.
Watch: How to Water a Bonsai
Watering is easier to understand when you see it demonstrated. We've selected a helpful video to illustrate the basic technique.
Video courtesy of Bonsai Mirai
2. Positioning and Light
Light category & Typical bonsai species
☀️ Full sun - Japanese black pine, Scots pine, junipers, larch, olive, cotoneaster, hawthorn, pyracantha and rosemary
◐ Sun or partial shade - Trident maple, Chinese elm, Japanese zelkova, field maple, hornbeam, boxwood, yew and Chinese privet
🌤️ Partial shade preferred - Japanese maple, Japanese beech, Satsuki azalea and other Japanese azaleas
🏡 Bright light and warmth - Ficus and other tropical bonsai, which need protection from cold UK weather
3. Repotting Bonsai
Repotting helps maintain a healthy root system and provides fresh growing medium when needed. It is also an opportunity to inspect the roots and ensure the tree has suitable drainage.
Repotting is not simply a matter of moving a tree into a larger pot. Bonsai are generally kept in relatively small containers, and root pruning must be appropriate for the species, the tree's health and its stage of development.
Soil mixes and personal preference
There is no single soil mix that is right for every bonsai. The ideal mix depends on the species, its water requirements, the local climate, growing conditions and how the owner cares for their trees.
Many bonsai enthusiasts use granular components such as akadama, pumice and lava rock, either individually or in combination. Other materials may also be suitable, depending on availability and the needs of the tree.
Personal preference and experience also play a part, provided the mix supplies adequate aeration, drainage and moisture retention for the particular tree.
As a general guide:
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Moisture-retentive mixes: May suit trees that prefer more consistent moisture like deciduous trees i.e. Maples, Elms particularly where conditions are warm or drying.
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Balanced mixes: Aim to retain sufficient moisture while allowing excess water to drain freely.
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Free-draining mixes: May suit trees that need excellent aeration around their roots or are grown in wetter conditions like Pines and Junipers.
These are general principles rather than fixed rules. Species, particle size, pot depth, weather and watering habits all influence how a mix performs.
When Should You Repot?
Bonsai should never be repotted simply because a year or two has passed. Repotting is carried out when the tree needs it, taking into account its species, age, vigour, root development, soil condition and growing environment.
Some vigorous young trees may benefit from repotting every year. Others may need repotting every two or three years, while mature, slower-growing trees can often remain in the same pot for considerably longer.
Rather than following a strict timetable, learn to recognise when your tree needs attention. Signs may include densely packed roots, deteriorating soil structure, poor drainage or the tree drying out unusually quickly. These signs should be considered alongside the species' normal growth habits and the condition of the rootball.
Timing is equally important. Many temperate deciduous species are repotted in early spring, often as the buds begin to swell. Other species, including some evergreens and tropical trees, may require different timing. Always consider the requirements of the particular species, the tree's health and the local climate.
What Beginners Should Remember
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Choose a soil mix suited to your species and growing conditions.
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Aim for the right balance of moisture retention, drainage and aeration.
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Repot when the tree needs it, not simply because it is due on the calendar.
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Learn the appropriate repotting season for your particular species.
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Handle roots carefully and avoid removing too many at once.
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Water thoroughly after repotting and provide suitable aftercare.
The key is to understand your tree, its soil and its growing conditions. There is no single mix or repotting schedule that suits every bonsai.
4. Pruning Bonsai
Pruning is an essential part of bonsai development. It helps maintain the tree's shape, encourages ramification (the development of finer branches) and allows light and air to reach the inner branches.
Different species require different approaches, and pruning should be carried out at the appropriate time of year. There are several techniques used in bonsai, depending on the species, its health and the desired result.
Shoot and maintenance pruning
Regularly trimming new growth helps maintain the tree's outline and encourages a finer branch structure. The frequency and amount of pruning depend on the species and the tree's stage of development.
Defoliation
Some deciduous species, particularly Japanese maples, can be partially or fully defoliated under suitable conditions. This technique can encourage smaller replacement leaves and finer ramification. It is not suitable for every tree or every year, and should only be undertaken on healthy, vigorous specimens at the appropriate time.
De-candling
Pines have specific techniques for managing their new spring growth, known as candles. De-candling is used on certain pines to help balance growth and develop finer foliage, but the method and timing vary by species, climate and the tree's strength. It should not be applied indiscriminately to all pines.
Structural pruning
Larger branches may need to be removed or shortened to improve the tree's design, establish its structure or correct unwanted growth. This is a more considered process than routine trimming and should be planned carefully.
Species specific techniques
Junipers, deciduous trees, pines and flowering or fruiting bonsai all respond differently to pruning. For example, juniper foliage is generally managed selectively rather than indiscriminately cut back, while pines require an understanding of their particular growth habits.
Points to remember
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Know your species: a technique suitable for one tree may weaken or damage another.
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Consider the timing: pruning at the wrong time can affect vigour, growth and recovery.
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Understand your objective: maintenance pruning, structural development and refinement are different processes.
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Assess the tree's health: avoid demanding techniques on weak, recently repotted or stressed trees.
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Ask for advice: experienced members of Milton Keynes Bonsai Society can help beginners understand the requirements of individual trees.
Every bonsai is different. Before pruning, understand your tree's species, health, stage of development and seasonal requirements. When in doubt, ask an experienced bonsai enthusiast for advice.
5. Wiring Bonsai
Wiring is an important technique in bonsai used to shape the trunk and branches, helping to create the desired form and improve the tree's overall design. Aluminium or copper wire is carefully wrapped around branches to guide them into position and hold them there as they develop.
Wiring requires care and practice. The correct wire thickness and application technique are important to support the branch without causing damage. Wire must also be checked regularly and removed before it begins to bite into the bark as the branch thickens.
As wiring is a practical skill that is much easier to understand visually, we've selected a suitable YouTube video demonstrating the basic techniques, including how to apply wire and position branches safely.
Watch the video below for a practical introduction to bonsai wiring.
Video courtesy of Growing Bonsai by Jelle.
Continue Your Bonsai Journey with Milton Keynes Bonsai Society
Want to learn more? At Milton Keynes Bonsai Society, our meetings, demonstrations and workshops offer opportunities to develop your skills, learn from experienced enthusiasts and share your own knowledge.
Whether you're just starting out or have been growing bonsai for years, you're welcome to come along, ask questions and discover more about this fascinating art.
Join us and continue your bonsai journey with MKBS.
Cultivating Trees, Friendships and Knowledge.