Getting Started In Bonsai

Introduction To Bonsai Workshop For Beginners

Learning bonsai on your own if you’re just starting out can be a very frustrating journey. At Kusamura Bonsai Club we recognize that the road to success is best traveled with experienced guides who will teach you the basics through hands-on help and advice. We offer a free “Introduction To Bonsai” workshop to all members.

Basics Of Bonsai Library

When you are just starting out in bonsai, you may be looking for information on the internet, but finding accurate and useful bonsai information on the internet can be like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack! For example, search for “bonsai beginner tips” and you will get back over 3 million hits. It would take several lifetimes to sort through all those to find the very few that are actually going to be helpful. And if you’re new to bonsai, how will you judge what’s worth paying attention to?

To help prevent information over-load, we at Kusamura have gathered some of the best blogs, websites and videos produced by genuine experts in the field of bonsai practice into a knowledge base aimed specifically at those who are just starting their bonsai journey.

  • History of Bonsai

    Bonsai has undergone a long evolution since its beginnings in China. This article gives a detailed account of how bonsai has changed over the centuries.

  • Bonsai Styles

    Bonsai have styles? Yes, they do and what all that means can be confusing when you are just starting out in bonsai. Learning about these styles is a good starting point for understanding what a bonsai style is and what it represents.

  • Finding Bonsai Material

    Finding bonsai material can be one of the most difficult and frustrating aspects of bonsai for beginners.

    Identifying Suitable Material For Bonsai

    Thoughts On Shopping For Bonsai

  • Bonsai Soil

    There are many different soil mixtures used to plant bonsai.

    Bonsai Soil Basics
    What Potting Soil to use

  • Watering Basics

    Watering is the most important task you do to care for your bonsai. It seems easy - just pour some water on top of the plant or immerse it in a pail of water and you're done, right? Unfortunately it's a bit more complicated,

  • Fertilizer Basics

    There's a lot of opinions about fertilizer. Our goal is to give basic information and guidance that will help your bonsai thrive. This article won't debate whether "organic" is better than "inorganic" or the pros and cons of different brands.

  • Pest And Fungus Control Basics

    Bonsai trees are susceptible to both insects and fungus.

  • Mycorrhiza Basics

    Most people new to bonsai don't know about Mycorrhiza and the important role they play in a tree's ability to feed itself.

  • All About Bonsai Pots

    The container that a bonsai lives in is an integral part of both its artistic appeal and its horticultural health. It is the restricted size of the container that keeps the tree small.

    Selecting The Right Pot
    Pots For Trees In Development
    Securing The Tree In The Pot

  • Repotting Basics

    Repotting is the process of periodically pruning the roots of the bonsai and refreshing the soil. When and how to repot will depend on many factors, but the core procedure is the same.

    Basic steps
    Timing of repotting
    Care after repotting

  • Repotting Deciduous and Broadleaf Bonsai

    Deciduous and broadleaf evergreen bonsai must be repotted at the correct season.

  • Tool Basics

    One of the first things people attending their first bonsai demonstration notice is that we seem to use a LOT of tools. If you're interested in bonsai as a hobby you might might be concerned about needing to buy a lot of expensive tools - and which tools. Let us put your mind at ease. You don't need a lot of tools to begin in bonsai.