These techniques include heavy crown pruning,root pruning, and root confinement in shallow containers.
Nearly any perennial, woody-stemmed tree or shrub that produces true branches can be trained as a bonsai tree.
However, some species are more well-suited to growing as bonsai than others.
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Most species are best grown outdoors, but many can be grown indoors.
Tip
Most trees grown as a bonsai will grow best in a bonsai soil mix.
Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
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All species ofjunipercan be successfully grown as bonsai.
Juniper bonsai trees do not do well when grown indoors, and they must be planted in dry soil.
Pine (Pinus spp.)
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Pine trees are popular as bonsaibecause they are hardy and trainable.
In fact, pine trees can be shaped into almost every known bonsai style.
The bark of young Japanese maples is typically green or reddish, turning grey or grayish-brown as it ages.
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Depending on the temperature, they may require daily watering, possibly even several times daily.
Cedar (Cedrus spp.)
Impressive drama aside, cedars are not ideal for beginners.
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These broadleaf evergreen trees are characterized by unique-looking aerial roots and oval-shaped dark green leaves.
It grows well indoors as ahouseplantsince it thrives in warm climates and bright, indirect light.
Its twisted surface roots are another alluring feature that lends well to bonsai styling.
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Besides its appearance,Ficus benjaminais a hardy, resilient tree making it perfect for bonsai training.
It adapts well to growing indoors and is often grown as a houseplant year-round.
Dwarf jade bonsai trees grow well indoors but need direct sunlight for most of the day.
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They can also be successfully grown outside but cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.
Its naturally gnarled, ancient appearance is perfect for the bonsai aesthetic.
They should be protected from freezing temperatures and frost.
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Dwarf Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Yet another dwarf boxwood variety is the Korean (Buxus sinicavar.insularis) with a height of 2 feet.
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
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A Chinese elm bonsai will stay around 10 inches to 2 feet tall.
Other bonsai options include theAmerican beech(Fagus grandifolia) and the Japanese white beech(Fagus crenata).
One caveat: fir trees aren’t always suited to container culture so they have to become acclimated.
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Even as bonsai, it will have a signature gnarled, aged trunk and the propensity to live indefinitely.
A white oak tree may not be too easy for beginner bonsai artists.
Flowering Crabapple (Malus spp.)
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Most flowering crabapple species make beautiful fragrant flowering and fruiting bonsai.
They flower in the spring and produce small dangling round fruit in the fall.
It’s safe to taste the tiny apple fruit of your bonsai if you’re tempted.
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There are numerous ideal crabapple species for bonsai.
But it also grows well as a petite bonsai tree.
It has striking reddish bark and soft needle-like leaves.
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The bald cypress grows in the deep South and Texas, so it does best in warm weather.
Ficus, juniper, and Japanese maple are some of the most popular bonsai trees.
The ficus bonsai is generally seen as the easiest bonsai tree to grow.
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The Art of Bonsai.Virginia Cooperative Extension
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