The B Begonia terrarium may be the easiest of all the Bonsai plants to care for. It’s easy to create a beautiful Bonsai miniature garden from just two or three B Begonia plants. This isn’t a fast growing plant, and it will take years for it to reach its full potential. But once your Bonsai has matured, you’ll have a spectacular showpiece to display in your home or office. Let’s explore the basics of Bonsai planting and the creation of Bonsai terrarium plants.
Most Bonsai terrarium plants are root bound. This means that they will grow up along the lower rim of the terrarium container. In most cases, the Bonsai will need to have the roots approximately one inch below the rim of the container. If they are planted directly above the rim, the roots may well spread above the rim, reducing both the height and the amount of foliage available for your Bonsai. To keep the roots contained, you can drill small holes into the bottom of the terrarium, just large enough to allow water or air to pass through, but no bigger.
The type of Bonsai soil you use will depend on the species of Bonsai you have, as well as the climate where you live. Most species can be successfully raised in any Bonsai soil that is available at the store. Some specialty soils may need to be specially created, though. These soils should not be used if you are not experienced in Bonsai gardening. Your soil should be firm but not sticky. Try not to use hard wood compost, as the roots can rot from too much contact with the soil.
After you’ve selected the proper Bonsai soil, your container will need to be filled with an appropriate amount of gravel. Any loose particles should be packed away and the terrarium rim filled. Make sure to uniformly cover the terrarium with the gravel, as the Bonsai plant will grow more rapidly if there are different areas of the terrarium with varying soil conditions. You can turn the terrarium upside down for a more natural look, or leave the light on during the day so that the plant gets the proper amount of sunlight.
When the terrarium is filled, and it is still too wet or damp for your Bonsai to survive, remove the plant from the container and place it in a shaded area. The soil in the container should drain easily, but you may need to add some fertilizer to get the soil prepared. If the Bonsai has been in the terrarium for a while, it probably won’t need any fertilizer, but once it’s established, you’ll need to start giving it a good watering. Watering often will help keep the roots from drying out and encourages new growth.
After about a week of consistent water, transplant the Bonsai into its final location outside the terrarium. It is best to place the container in a sunny window for the best light exposure, but the plant will still need a little sun as it continues to grow. Water again to help the Bonsai maintain its shape, and then cover the plant with the gravel once more. In order for the Bonsai to thrive, you have to feed it!
The ideal time to fertilize Bonsai plants is just before they go to sleep, but not too soon as it may wilt the plant. Start feeding the Bonsai just before it starts to flower, as this also encourages new growth. Continue to feed the Bonsai every two weeks during the growing season, and once the Bonsai has established itself, you can start taking it outside with you. It is best to protect the soil from extreme temperatures and use plastic garden bags to keep the soil from evaporating.
When grown in the Bonsai terrarium plan, it is important to ensure that the plant receives all the nutrients it needs. Fertilizers should be added about once a month during the growing season and then increased every few weeks as the plant starts to bloom. It is also a good idea to add a soil fertilizer when the Bonsai starts to show signs of frost, as it tends to need more nutrients in the winter months. If you do plan on repotting your Bonsai, use one that contains nitrogen for the Bonsai’s root system, and a phosphorous/potassium fertilizer for the leaves.