Page 88 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics

90 CHOOSING A BONSAI

Indoor bonsai
Traditionally, a bonsai tree is an out-
door plant, however, quite recently, ef-
forts have been made to find species and
cultivars that will thrive in the confined
atmosphere of the home. Most indoor
bonsai are, in fact, of tropical origin,
trained to create the traditional shapes
of outdoor bonsai.
Choose plants which become woody
enough to be treated as bonsai.
While taking the origins of the plant
into account, stand it in a well-lit place,
since lack of light is one of the most
frequent causes of failure.
I. The tropical Ficus is one of the easiest indoor
These plants need to be warm by day
bonsai plants to grow.
(about 15oCj60oF), but cooler by night.
It is vital to recreate the humid condi-
tions of their regions of origin, which are
far from likely in winter in our often dry
and overheated homes. It is essential to
spray the leaves generously and often.
With some bonsai it could be beneficial
to stand the container on a tray filled
with moist gravel to keep the air around
it humid all the time. But never stand
your bonsai container in a saucer or tray
filled with water, as this could rot its
roots.
For a large bonsai collection, the
perfect solution is a heated greenhouse
equipped with a sprinkler system, able to
2. As spring comes to an end, prune all the leaves keep an ideal level of humidity.
from the fig.

3. The ficus, from which aU the leaves were cut, will The exposed roots of this Ficus make a particularly
quick!)' grow new ones smaller than the first. effective display when trained in this swirling shape.