A collection of easy to care for houseplants. Song is a remix of Wriggle Nightbug's theme.

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Bonsai Care: First Things First

As with any garden, the basic elements that your bonsai plant will need to thrive are the right soil, the appropriate amount of light, and the right amount of water. 

However, bonsai care involves fulfilling certain needs that ordinary plants don’t have. For instance, did you know that most bonsai trees are bred to be outdoor plants like their full-sized counterparts?  If you bring a sun-loving bonsai inside, be prepared to give it 12-16 hours a day of fluorescent light. There are, however, some bonsai plants that do not need that much light, and these may be the ideal species if you want to practice bonsai care indoors.   

Another important element of bonsai care is utilizing the right soil.  In the “wild,” trees grow tall due to their deep root systems, which dig deeply into the earth.  In contrast, your bonsai will grow in a shallow tray or container, and therefore, your tree’s root system cannot penetrate deeply downward. Instead, it will spread out shallowly, thereby reducing your tree’s growth.  For this reason, bonsai plants need a special mix of soil to ensure that their roots don’t become waterlogged and drown. Because they are grown in such shallow containers, regular potting soil is much too dense and will trap too much water, killing the tree’s roots, and eventually, the tree. 

In practicing proper bonsai care, you should purchase special bonsai soil, which is a mix of loam, sand, and organics, like peat moss and leaf mold. What soil you should specifically buy is determined by your local climate. Your local greenhouse or nursery, bonsai enthusiast, or Agriculture Extension office can help you determine which soil is perfect for your bonsai’s care.  

Water and Food in Bonsai Care

Of course, the one question all beginner bonsai gardeners have is “when should I water my bonsai?”  The answer to this important bonsai care question depends upon what kind of bonsai you have, how humid or dry the air is around your bonsai, what time of the year it is, and other variables. 

Ideally, in bonsai care, you want a balance between too much and too little. Don’t overwater—but don’t underwater either. Make sure your water is at room temperature, as you don’t want to shock your plant with either cold or hot water. If you use tap water, let it sit out overnight so that the chlorine and other chemicals can oxidize out of the water. 

Wet the soil first, which will increase the bonsai’s ability to take in more water.  Afterwards, soak the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes in your training tray. Make sure that the entire soil mass gets wet. Watering is best done daily in the early morning, before the plant begins its daily photosynthesis cycle.  You can also mist your bonsai on a daily basis to help it retain its necessary humidity levels.

As for fertilizer in bonsai care, use a completely balanced fertilizer (i.e., 20-20-20, which is equal parts nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) every other week at quarter strength.  A balanced fertilizer is ideal in bonsai care because your tree is considerably smaller than the plants the fertilizer is typically used for. Never fertilize a dry tree (the shock could kill it – make sure to water first!) and don’t fertilize a sick tree; remember, fertilizer isn’t medication.

With the right amount of water and light, along with appropriate soil and fertilizer, you are well on your way to growing a beautiful bonsai collection.  Bonsai care does not have to be difficult, as long as you remember to meet the fundamental needs your beautiful bonsai plant has.

Your bonsai may be looking a little worn out. We visit with Brian Tsugawa to see what he recommends for early spring care. We also chat about their 30th anniversary.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Technorati Tags: Beginners, Bonsai, care, Easy

Easy indoor plants that can thrive in a window include a jade plant, cyclamen, spider plants, a Christmas cactus, philodendrons and ficus trees. Find a plant that does not require a dormant winter season with information from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardens.

Technorati Tags: care, Easy, garden, Indoor, plant, Plants

• Easy to grow house plant
• Like the traditional Jade Plant it prefers sun, but only needs to be watered when dry
• The green leaves feature a magenta edging in the summer, like a beautiful sunset
• Correct Name: Crassula portulacea v. Sunset
• The plant you will receive is growing in a 3.5" pot.

Product Description
An easy to grow house plant. Like the traditional Jade Plant it prefers sun, but only needs to be watered when dry. The green leaves feature a magenta edging in the summer, like a beautiful sunset.... More >>

Sunset Jade Plant - Crassula - Easy to Grow House Plant

Technorati Tags: Crassula, Easy, Grow, House, Jade, plant, Sunset

I just moved into my very first house and I was thinking of getting some house plants for the the rooms in the house. I don't have much of a green thumb and I don't want to get fake plants because I think they are a little tacking. Any suggestions?

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• Prayer plants have big, oval leaves that turn upward at night
• The folding and unfolding of the leaves happens in a regular pattern
• Plant biologists call these daily cycles circadian rhythms
• Just provide bright indirect light and keep evenly moist
• The plants you will receive are growing in 2" plastic pots

Product Description
1 Red and 1 Green Prayer Plant - Maranta. Prayer plants and other nighttime movers are just trying to fool you into thinking they're settling down for a good night's rest. Prayer plants have big, oval leaves that turn upward at night. The folding and unfolding of the leaves happens in a regular pattern. Plant biologists call these daily cycles circadian rhythms. The Red and Green Prayer Plants are easy to grow. Just provide bright indirect light and keep evenly mois... More >>

1 Red and 1 Green Prayer Plant - Maranta - Easy to grow

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I have a black thumb and have been known to kill a cactus from UNDER-watering it. I want to give plants another chance and was wondering what kind of indoor plants are hardy and relatively easy to maintain. Thanks.

Technorati Tags: Easy, hard, Indoor, kill, maintain, Plants, some

• Proper Name: Pleomele reflexa 'Song of Jamaica'
• The Song of Jamaica is native to Madagascar and the Solomon Islands
• It is an easy to grow house plant preferring bright indirect light
• The plant can grow up to 8 feet tall, but can be trimmed at any height
• The plant you will receive is growing in a 4" pot and is about 10" tall, similar to the first picture.

Product Description
The Song of Jamaica is native to Madagascar and the Solomon Islands. It is an easy to grow house plant preferring bright indirect light. It should go on the dry side before being given a thorough watering. Never allow the plant to stand in water. Fertilize monthly with a general purpose house plant food. The plant can grow up to 8 feet tall, but can be trimmed at any height.
Proper Name: Pleomele reflexa 'Song of Jamaica'

The plant you will receive is growing in ... More >>

Song of Jamaica Exotic House Plant - Easy to Grow!

Technorati Tags: Easy, Exotic, Grow, House, Jamaica, plant, Song