Bonsai became my new calming ritual, so I asked an expert how to grow one at home

Thinking a few months ago about what I could take up without knowing anything about it, something that would automatically push me toward new skills and learning, I stumbled upon bonsai by accident. The art of growing miniature trees in containers that mimic the look of old, natural trees in a small format felt spiritual and almost soothing. Somewhere in that research I came across Andrija Zokić, whose expertise and dedication to this botanical form are impressive, so I asked him when he first became interested in bonsai. “I have known about bonsai since childhood, but for a long time I thought it was something you inherit in Japan from your grandfather, an already perfect tree that you simply maintain,” Andrija told me. He began working with it more seriously during his sculpture studies. “The turning point was discovering the work of Austrian bonsai master Walter Pall. His trees were not ornamental Japanese pieces in pots. They were real old mountain trees, imperfect, full of scars and full of life, just like the ones I had spent years observing in nature. That was when I realized that bonsai is a living sculpture and the ideal meeting point of nature and art. We soon invited Walter to a workshop in Croatia, we met, and I have been his student ever since.”A living sculpture. That is where he won me over.

Lately there has been a lot of discussion about bonsai as the perfect calming hobby. It seems the search for hobbies that ground us never ends. So my next step was to ask Andrija how to grow your own bonsai at home. Here are my notes.

Why is bonsai the ideal calming hobby?

Andrija opened with an important point. “Bonsai is the ideal hobby for calming the mind, but it is important to set aside the expectation of quick results. A tree has its own rhythm, which is slower than ours. At the beginning something just clicked in my mind. I realized that time should not be pushed because it flows on its own. My job is to do my part, and the trees will do theirs, which is to grow and develop. Once you accept that, bonsai truly becomes a calming hobby. Here is what it does for you:

• it forces you to slow down
• to observe small changes from week to week
• to accept that some mistakes cannot be fixed overnight
• to spend more time in the garden and in nature
• to pay more attention to large trees and remember their forms

In the end, bonsai is one of the best ways to learn to appreciate transience, because it is precisely transience that brings progress to a bonsai over the years.

Courtesy of andbonsai

How demanding is it to grow your own bonsai at home?

“It depends on what we mean by that,” Andrija replied, wanting to explain two different ways of growing bonsai at home.

“If we are talking about a real bonsai made from species such as hornbeam, maple, pine, olive, and similar, then the answer is that it is more demanding than the average houseplant, but not an impossible mission. For this you need:

• a bit of knowledge about the species
• the right location, which is usually outdoors rather than inside an apartment
• regular care
• and above all, patience over the years

If by bonsai we mean a small tree from a garden center that we keep indoors, then that is something else. These plants are often styled to look like bonsai, but the species themselves are not ideal for long term cultivation in an enclosed space. They can be a nice introduction to the world of bonsai, but it is important to know that true long term bonsai are always tied to outdoor spaces such as a balcony, terrace, or garden.”

Courtesy of andbonsai

Basic tips for growing a bonsai tree at home

What should we keep in mind first, and how and where do we choose the tree?

“The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you have an outdoor space such as a balcony, terrace, garden, or at least a covered porch.

• If you have at least a balcony, a whole world of species opens up to you, such as hornbeam, olive, pine, or maple. Any woody plant can become a bonsai, but some species are much more suitable than others.
• If you have no outdoor space at all, you are realistically limited to indoor plants in a bonsai style, such as ficus. It is a nice starting point, but it is not the same as an outdoor bonsai. Personally, I do not keep a single bonsai indoors. All of mine are in the garden.

For beginners I recommend not starting from seed, but from an already formed or at least somewhat developed plant from a nursery or bonsai center. Seeds and very young seedlings are great for learning, but they take many years before they start to look like real trees, which can kill early enthusiasm. And paradoxically, it often takes more knowledge to create a good bonsai from seed than from high quality raw material.

It is best to choose a hardy species that is locally adapted, something that already grows well in your climate. Here in Dalmatia, for example:

• hornbeam
• olive
• black pine
• terebinth
• various Mediterranean shrubs

In the more continental parts of Croatia you can choose species such as:

• hornbeam
• fir
• spruce
• maple
• various types of pine

Look for a tree that immediately draws your attention, with an interesting trunk, an irregularity, a small story hidden inside. It does not need to be perfect. What matters is that you find it appealing and that the little tree has character. Choosing the starting material is something you learn throughout your life, and it largely determines the future appearance of the bonsai.”

Courtesy of andbonsai

Caring for a bonsai tree, watering, and conditions

“The most common mistake is giving too much or too little water. The basic rule is:

• do not water on a fixed schedule, but according to the condition of the substrate and the weather
• let the surface of the substrate dry slightly, then water it thoroughly so that the water drains through the holes
• the shallower and smaller the pot, the faster it will dry and the more often it will need watering, especially in summer

Light:

• most bonsai trees need plenty of light and should be kept outdoors at least from spring to autumn
• indoors, even by a window, only some tropical species like ficus tolerate conditions well, and even they have their limits

Air:

• bonsai does not like to be kept in a stuffy, closed space without air circulation
• wind is its friend, as long as it is protected from extreme conditions

If a problem appears, it is often a good idea to move the tree out of direct sun and into shade until it recovers. Conditions are not the same for all species, and it is not the same whether you keep your tree in a garden in Dalmatia, Lika, or Zagreb, since microclimate plays a big role.”

Shaping a bonsai, when and how, and how often?

“This answer is not simple because it depends on the stage the bonsai is in. If it is yamadori, a tree collected from nature, it first needs time to recover from shock before shaping can begin gradually. If the tree is purchased and ready to work on, beginners only need to:

• learn where to cut a branch
• recognize what is unnecessary
• have a rough idea of the silhouette they want
• study the most common natural forms of trees

Major cuts and stronger shaping are usually done at the end of winter or early spring, depending on the species and climate, when the plant is waking up and heals best.

Wiring is a more advanced stage, and this is where mistakes happen the most, so I advise beginners to start by learning through moderate pruning and observing how the plant reacts.

Shaping is not one big makeover, but a series of small decisions over the years. The most beautiful bonsai trees are often the result of many small and patient steps rather than one dramatic transformation.

What matters to me is that a bonsai looks as if a human hand has never touched it, that it keeps as much of the natural feel of an old tree as possible.”

Winter vs. summer conditions for maintaining a bonsai

Summer::

• the biggest risk is the substrate drying out in a small pot
• during the hottest part of the day, especially on a south facing balcony, it is good to give the bonsai some light shade or
• move it out of direct midday sun
• sometimes it will need watering twice a day

Winter:

• most of our outdoor species can stay outside all winter
• but a bonsai in a pot is more sensitive than the same tree planted in the ground
• in continental areas it is wise to protect the pot and roots from severe frost, for example by placing the pot inside alarger box with insulation and keeping it in a sheltered spot close to the house wall

The most important thing is to avoid sudden freezing and thawing and the combination of wind and strong subzero temperatures.

Courtesy of andbonsai

Final tips: what to keep in mind if you want your bonsai to thrive

• Observe trees in nature, since they are the best teachers of form and composition.
• Do not be afraid of mistakes and take risks. We have all made them and we will keep making them. Devoting love and time is essential in this hobby, even when you occasionally get things wrong.
• Do not expect quick results, but do not be completely passive either. Look for a relationship with your tree.
• Attend a bonsai workshop and learn the basics of shaping directly from someone more experienced.

If after a year or two bonsai still brings you joy, and not just looks nice on a shelf, then you know it is a hobby that can become a real part of your life.