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How To Grow Bonsai Forest – 10 Easy Steps!

Human civilization has always been fascinated with natural scenery. While it is fulfilling to travel miles to admire the beauty of nature, it isn’t easy to do so in today’s fast-paced life.

In such situations, a mini replica of trees or bonsai can fulfill our needs of admiring nature. With its origins in East Asia, Bonsai refers to the art of mimicking natural scenery in small pots.

While growing a single bonsai is exciting and fulfilling, growing a bonsai forest is more exciting. How to grow bonsai forest, you may be thinking. If you want to grow a bonsai forest but are confused about the process, follow the article to find a step-by-step guide on learning how to grow bonsai forest.

How To Grow Bonsai Forest
Bonsai Forest – via Pixabay

What Is A Bonsai Forest?

Like any other forest globally, the Bonsai Forest is the amalgamation of several bonsai trees. While some experts consider a bonsai forest a combination of three or more trees, others are conservative in their approach and consider a forest to be a combination of five or more trees.

Aside from the number of trees, a bonsai forest can contain a variety of trees or the same type of trees. Remember that the greater the variety, the greater the expertise needed to manage it since different plants have different needs

We recommend starting with a single type and then advancing up to a diverse forest. For your bonsai forest, you can either have plants of the same height or varying heights.

What is the Best Time To Grow Bonsai Forest?

Since plants undergo a natural growth cycle, the spring season is the best time to grow a bonsai forest. Plants propagate new leaves in the spring season, making it easier to adjust to the new forest environment.

Soil Conditions For Bonsai Forest

Like Bonsai trees, bonsai forests require special soil. You can either make it yourself by mixing  Akadama, Pumice, and Lava rock in a 2:1:1 ratio or can buy a ready-made soil mixture from your local gardener or online.

Bonsai Soil Premium All Purpose Blend | Pre-Mixed Ready to Use for Fast Drainage | Large 2.2 Quarts | Lava, Limestone Pearock, Calcined Clay and Pinebark | Made in USA
  • 🌳 SUPPORT YOUR BONSAI'S GROWTH - Give your tree the nourishing environment it needs to thrive! This premixed, ready to use bonsai soil blend is made up of premium non-organic all-purpose soil.
  • 🌳 FIT FOR ALL BONSAI VARIETIES - Whether you're growing an Azalea or a Bald Cypress, our bonsai soil won't disappoint. It maximizes fertilizer absorption and provides excellent aeration to the roots.
  • 🌳 PROMOTES OPTIMUM DRAINAGE - Our bonsai soil mix holds an adequate amount of moisture to meet the plant's needs, yet still allows the water to drain well. This helps prevent over-watering.
  • 🌳 GET MORE FOR YOUR MONEY - With 2.2 quarts in every bag, our bonsai soil offers you great value compared to many other options on the market. It also comes in a sturdy, resealable bag.
  • 🌳 BUY WITH CONFIDENCE - Our bonsai soil blend is MADE IN THE USA. If you are not satisfied with what you receive, let us know and we'll arrange a refund or replacement immediately.

The soil is crucial to proper bonsai growth; hence give proper attention to selecting appropriate soil. We recommend using a ready-made soil mixture for beginners since it reduces the probability of damaging the forest.

Preparations To Grow Bonsai Forest

1.      Selecting An Appropriate Pot

Since the pot is the base of a bonsai forest, it is of utmost importance to choose an appropriate pot. We recommend a shallow pot; you can cover the drainage holes either with a rock or mesh.

2.      Using Garden Trowels

If you have even a little bit of interest in gardening chances, are you already own a garden trowel. A garden trowel is a basic gardening tool used to dig small holes and transfer plants from one place to another. For growing a bonsai garden, you do not need a fancy gardening trowel; just a basic one would do.

3.      Choosing Soil For Bonsai Forest

Your bonsai forest would require both regular as well as special bonsai soil. Hence, get your hands on both before starting your bonsai forest. It is always better to be prepared beforehand!

4.      Choosing Appropriate Trees

You can either choose trees of similar height or choose trees varying in height. We recommend using trees of the same kind but of different heights for that cool effect for beginners.

5.      Watering Source For The Forest

Since a bonsai forest is not as vast as an original natural forest, it does not require a large water source. You can use your regular watering can to water the forest for your bonsai forest.

How To Grow Bonsai Forest 2
Bald Cypress bonsai – via Wikimedia

A Step-By-Step Guide To Plant A Bonsai Forest

Once you have all the information and tools, you are ready to grow your very own bonsai forest. Follow the simple steps below to do so.

Things Needed

Growing a bonsai forest will not make a dent in your wallet. You can grow it with things already lying around in your backyard. However, a few things are crucial to learning how to grow bonsai forest, and these are:

  • A pot
  • Garden trowels
  • Bonsai Soil
  • Regular Soil
  • Trees to make a forest
  • Watering sources

Step 1:

Gather your shallow pot, mesh its drainage holes, and attach a few wires to anchor the trees. Doing so would create the perfect environment for your little bonsai forest to grow and thrive.

Step 2:

At this step, add a thin base layer of regular soil to the pot. You can gather regular soil from your backyard, your neighbor’s backyard (ask them first, though!), or a local gardener.

Step 3:

Add a thick layer of bonsai soil over regular soil using a garden trowel. 

Step 4:

Even the layer of bonsai soil that is added to the pot. Using the special gardening tool, you can either use your hands to do it or smooth out the soil.

Step 5:

Gather your trees to be planted together to form a bonsai forest if they are in a pot, and depot them cautiously at this stage.

Step 6:

Select the tallest trees from the lot and place them slightly towards the edge of the pot. Make sure not to place it directly in the center of the pot as it will create problems in aligning others.

Step 7:

Add more trees to the pot. To achieve a natural look, avoid lining up the trees in the pot. Instead, go for asymmetry.

Step 8:

Once all the trees have been planted in the pot, add another layer of bonsai soil using your garden trowel.

Step 9:

Even out your layer of bonsai soil and check for air holes in the soil. You can use your finger to look out for possible air holes.

Step 10:

Congratulations! You have learned how to grow bonsai forest in just 10 easy steps. Now water your newly planted bonsai forest, and you are done.

You can further understand growing a bonsai forest by watching this video:

Aftercare Of Your Bonsai Forest

Plants are living beings and require constant need and attention; hence the period after you plant your bonsai forest is of utmost importance. Since plants are adjusting to a new environment in this stage, they are also the most vulnerable.

To protect your newly planted bonsai forest, place it in the shade where there is no direct sunlight hitting it. Furthermore, regularly check your forest for any signs of pests. In case you find any pests, take necessary removal actions.


Conclusion

Bonsais have existed for a long time however have recently gained massive popularity. Growing a single bonsai is overwhelming but growing a bonsai forest is even more overwhelming. But do not worry; growing a bonsai forest has never been this easy.

This step-by-step guide on how to grow bonsai forest in 10 easy steps is like your expert gardening friend you never had. The guide answers all your basic bonsai forest concerns ranging from the type of pot needed to the type of plants needed to grow a forest; it covers all. Just trust the process and enjoy your very new bonsai forest!