Blog entries

Spring is about to SPRING!

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:29:27 +0100

Hello everyone!

I’ve been feeling it in the air, and I know you have too…spring is about to peek its head out of the ground to delight us all! Now is the time to start planning your spring time bonsai gardening to do list! For most bonsai’s, early spring is the best time to re pot, root trim, and shape for the upcoming gardening extravaganzas of beauty.

Do you have everything you need? New sharp shears? Concave cutters? Root Rakes? Plenty of high quality bonsai soil?

Bonsai: Perfect Gift for Valentine's Day

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:14:48 +0100

As January comes to a close, another holiday is on the horizon!

Valentine’s Day marks a moment in our busy lives that is purely designated to honor the loved ones that make our world a more joyful place to live in. Shops are filled with decorations and giant chocolate hearts meant to sweeten the occasion and flower sales spike at an all time high. In this pink and red swirl of color and lace enhanced emotion, I was reflecting upon the traditional gifts of Valentine’s Day and started tRead More...

What's Your New Years Resolution?

TinyRoots / Admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:53:40 +0100

Another year has come and gone and everyone is reflecting upon what they might like to incorporate into 2010. For some of us, resolutions of ending old habits are high on the list…for others, bringing new things into our lives is the priority.

Whether you are getting rid of something or adding on to your life, one thing that experts agree about is that everyone can benefit from adding activities that ensure stress relief. Studies show that doing activities that are stress relieving caRead More...

A Holiday Tradition to pass on…

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:15:14 +0100

For many of us, winter is a season of chilly toes and longingly looking out into the piles of snow that are all that is left of our beautiful gardens for the time being. The tradition of indoor bonsai allows ample opportunity to enjoy working with our hands in the therapeutic and soul satisfying occupation of gardening that is usually cut off in the winter.

For thousands of years, human beings have enjoyed indoor plantings that provided them with medicinal and food based needs. RoyaltyRead More...

Keeping Bonsai leaves small

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:32:40 +0100

The beauty of Bonsai is found not only in the balance that comes from an aesthetically formed trunk, but also in its proportions of size in comparison to their natural, unbound ancestors.

To truly achieve the proper look of bonsai, leaf size is important to consider. While some trees have naturally small leaves, others need to be trained to reduce their leaf size. Because the growth of plants is directly dependent upon the size of their environment, the manifestation of what is above tRead More...

How to raise miniature Bonsai

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:39:29 +0100

How to raise miniature Bonsai

Miniature bonsai are called Maine bonsai (pronounced mah-nay bone-sigh); they are the delightfully tiny, miniature bonsai—of bonsai! Do you know how to classify your bonsai by its size? Take a look at our Bonsai Size Classification chart.

Just as traditional bonsai artists strive to create graceful lines that mimic those found in nature on their giant full sized relatives, miniatureRead More...

Falling for Bonsai—a hobby that lasts throughout any season!

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:36:54 +0100

As winter starts to show its chill to our outdoor gardens, the soothing presence of indoor Bonsai gardening shares its delights no matter what the seasonal weather changes happen to dish out! Bonsai is an ancient tradition that can be practiced year round, and is unlimited in its ability to satisfy and interest any plant lover.

From master Bonsai artists to beginners with limited Bonsai knowledge, there are huge benefits and satisfactions that will come from working with Bonsai that Read More...

Gardening with Bonsai Trees is Becoming a Popular Relaxation Technique

TinyRoots / Admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:46:46 +0100

Do you See a Trend?

Recently, bonsai gardening has increased in popularity. Bonsai trees make a great hobby for people who want to de-stress and re-connect with themselves and nature. Bonsai gardening does not require classes, discussion or instructional DVDs. All you need is the right kind of tree and a few basic tools. This is exactly why we think bonsai enthusiasts shop with Bonsai Outlet. I like to think it's our ability to match the right tree to the right person.

TakeRead More...

Why I Grimace When I See “Mallsai”

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:41:20 +0100

Why I Grimace When I See “Mallsai”

The other day I was at one of those ever-present big-box discount retailers, when I saw two or three different species of plants (ficus, palm, and abricola) being sold as bonsai trees, for just $20. Clearly these “mallsai” were low quality and even had the look of mass-production to them (e.g. the rocks were glued in place).

To make things worse, there were no care instructions. I played dumb and asked an employee if she knew how to take Read More...

What Does It Takes to Run the Learning2Bonsai Community: Your Participation!

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:35:33 +0100

What Does It Takes to Run the Learning2Bonsai Community: Your Participation!

The other day I was reading some research related to managing online communities like Learning2Bonsai. One stat that jumped out at me – and one I’m hoping that we can beat! – shows that in the first year, 90% of all contributed content comes from the site owner (unless you’re extremely lucky).

I was disappointed to learn this to say the least. We already invest considerable time, energy, and resRead More...

Bonsai: Not Just for Adults Anymore!

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:04:01 +0100

I wanted to share a story about how my eight-year old and I have bonded over bonsai. That’s right, in a world filled with Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers, and the like, who would have thought that she’d prefer to spend her time (okay, some of her time) learning more about bonsai?

It all started last fall when she had her birthday. Knowing that she would receive more than enough toys and clothes, her mother and I decided to try a different route and pickedRead More...

Bonsai Pruning: Stress Relief or Dangerous Mind Disease?

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:17:00 +0100

I’m a huge fan of pruning bonsai trees. For me, there’s nothing like the peace and relaxation I get from dropping everything (no pun intended) and trying to bring out a tree’s true potential. I’m not artist, but I imagine it’s similar to their creative expression process. Tune out, forget your daily stress, and just work. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started a tree and by the time I looked up, hours had gone by … and I felt better than when I started.

However, I wanted to Read More...

Looking for a Unique Gift Idea? Think Bonsai.

TinyRoots / Admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:32:02 +0100

If you’re like me, you are always on the lookout for a unique gift for those hard-to-by-for people in your life. You know, the ones who already seem to have it all.

Over the years, I’ve found that giving the gift of bonsai is a great alternative to giving the “same old, same old” gifts. Bonsai are great gifts for so many reasons:

Bonsai are so unique. How many people can say they’ve received a bonsai tree as a present at any Read More...

Myth #4: It Must Be Me: I Killed My Bonsai

TinyRoots / Admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:03:31 +0100

Nonsense: You know why most bonsai trees die? Hint: It doesn’t have anything to do with the person involved, it’s more likely to be where they purchased the tree.

Too often people settle for a “mallsai” (a bonsai purchasedin a mall or home improvement store) without any kind of care instructions. Not know where to put the bonsai, some people place it on their television or other unsuitable location. Unfortunately, it’s just a matter of time at that poiRead More...

How To Kill Your Bonsai

TinyRoots / Admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:23:43 +0100

Here are some surefire ways to kill your BONSAI or houseplant:

Over Watering:
The #1 killer of houseplants and BONSAI is over watering, which leads to root rot. Don't let your plants sit in water and don't automatically water all your houseplants on a schedule. Learn to know your bonsai and water when needed!

Improper Watering & Salt Buildup:
Giving your bonsai just enough water so the soil gets wet but is never allowed to drain, can lead to salt buildRead More...

Do you know your hardiness zone?

TinyRoots / Admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:29:50 +0100

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) zone system is based on minimum winter temperatures. This system consists of zones 1-11, zone 1 having the coldest winter temperatures and zone 11 having the warmest.

For plants that will grow inside your home, Hardiness Zones become far less important. Unless you turn the heat off during the winter, it's unlikely that the temperature will ever drop bRead More...

Myth #3: Bonsai are expensive

TinyRoots / Admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:40:38 +0100

Without a hesitation, there are bonsai that are expensive. It is not unusual to see trees that are valued in the thousands of dollars. When you purchase a trained bonsai, you’re paying for the time and care invested in establishing, training and maintaining that bonsai tree. However, the beauty of a bonsai can be appreciated on any budget - from trees grown from seed or cutting to those purchased from your trusted bonsai nursery.

Myth #2: Bonsai are indoor plants

TinyRoots / Admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:18:29 +0100

While Bonsai are often displayed and sold indoors, with some exceptions, bonsai are outdoor plants. Bonsai need sunlight and air circulation just like their full-growth ancestors. Their exposure to seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy [for most trees] are required to maintain health. Some species of tropical bonsai can be cultivated indoors year round; but these are the exceptions not the rule.

Myth #1: Bonsai is difficult

TinyRoots / Admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:02:27 +0100

Myth #1: Bonsai is difficult:

As soon as you have experienced one season as a bonsai enthusiast, you will have gained much of the essential horticultural knowledge to care for your bonsai – the aesthetics may take a bit longer. You can continue to educate yourself about the traditions of bonsai by going to bonsai shows, looking at trees in publications or viewing online sites. Explore how you can become a member of a local bonsai club. Within a few years it is possible to Read More...

What Bonsai Pruning Can Teach You About Life

TinyRoots / Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:57:46 +0100

While I enjoy all aspects of bonsai gardening, I especially love pruning. Not only does it offer a relaxing break from daily stress, but I’ve found it offers a creative outlet as I try to shape my trees into miniature art forms.

As I was trimming some bonsai the other day, it occurred to me that the lessons I’ve learned can really apply to real life. So here are five of my pruning secrets, and I hope they help you with your bonsai and help you navigate life a little betRead More...