Bonsai Accessories And Tools
Before you decide to join the millions of people who are enjoying the art of bonsai gardening, you need to realize that it's very different than what you are used to. Bonsai gardening is as unique as the plants themselves, and to do it properly, you need to have the correct bonsai accessories and tools. Let's take a look at some of the things you'll need to get your bonsai hobby started.
Planting
Bonsai accessories differ from other plants from the very beginning. The trays that bonsai trees are typically grown in are much shallower than the pots used for regular plants. They are also designed with an abundance of drainage holes. Since the root systems of these plants are so small, it's important that they do not become saturated. This can lead to the roots rotting. Many bonsai pots come with mesh screens over the drain holes to prevent them from clogging. The soil also requires special consideration for bonsai gardening. The key is to avoid compaction, and provide adequate air and water flow through the soil.
Tools
There are many bonsai accessories and tools that are necessary for creating and maintaining the unique look of these types of plants. This is especially true when it comes to pruning and trimming. Due to the delicate nature of the work being performed, ordinary gardening tools are not recommended for work on bonsai trees.
One of the first bonsai accessories you should acquire is a set of concave pruning shears. Instead of just cutting, these shears were designed with the healing of the trunk in mind. The concave wound that is left behind makes it easier for the tree to heal itself naturally. The concave shears can be used to cut branches up to 1 ½" in diameter.
Scissors are essential for any collection of bonsai accessories. There are specially designed bud scissors that are for doing the more detailed pruning work that is required for bonsai gardening.
A set of bonsai wire cutters is also a good idea since these trees get there unique shape by being trained with the use of wire. The bonsai wire cutters differ from regular ones in that they have a shorter head. This reduces the risk of damaging anything other than what you're trying to cut.
A root hook is another important bonsai accessory due to the fact that these plants need to be re-potted frequently. This tool is useful for clearing away soil and untangling the delicate roots.
There are numerous other bonsai accessories and tools available, but these few mentioned above should be enough to get you started in your new hobby.
