What is a bonsai tree?

The Japanese word bonsai translates as “tree in a pot.” Bonsai are living plants, typically a tree, shrub or woody herb grown in a pot and trained to develop characteristics found in a very old tree.

How old are bonsai trees?

There are two ways to measure bonsai age: real age (the time the tree has been growing), and the age of training (the time the tree has been worked on). Actual age may vary from 10 to even 100+ years.

Do they stay in their pots forever?

As a bonsai continues to grow, the pot will eventually fill with roots and compress, which can weaken a tree. Every once in a while and only at the right time of year, a tree has to be re-potted, some of the old soil and roots removed, and put in new bonsai mix so the tree has room for new roots to grow.

What challenges do bonsai face?

There are many challenges to growing a bonsai, the most important being the health of the tree. They won’t survive indoors and can die for many reasons, from improper watering to untreated pests and/or disease, from overworking the tree to neglect.

Do bonsai trees need a lot of sunlight?

Incandescent light is too hot and will not provide the various spectrum of light that is required to maintain your bonsai tree. Bonsai need about 5 hours of direct or indirect sunlight per day.