Many people choose to decorate the interior of their homes with bonsai trees due to their uniqueness. However, these plants are equally beautiful when used as part of your outdoor landscaping. Outdoor bonsai trees are true bonsais. The main differences between indoor and outdoor bonsai trees is the scale of the outdoor tree and the challenges it will face in the outside environment.

Indoor bonsais are generally certain types of tropical trees. They grow quite well indoors. These trees can be placed outdoors for a period of time during the spring or late summer.

Consisting of only a few species, the outdoor Bonsai tree will be a deciduous tree or an evergreen, such as a Pine or Juniper. The latter will go dormant during the cold weather months and will continue growing come springtime. During the fall the deciduous trees will shed their leaves.

When planted outdoors, Bonsai trees can be placed in containers or directly into the ground. Outdoor Bonsais should not be kept indoors for long periods of time, but they will need protection outdoors because of frost. It is crucial to keep your outdoor Bonsai well watered. Check to see if the soil is damp underneath its dry surface.

As is the case with most types of trees, a change in their habitat when you bring them home could cause some minor setbacks. Instead of making any drastic changes right away, give them a chance to get used to their new surroundings. A change in color or loss of some foliage is common but will usually be a short setback.

Keeping these trees properly trimmed and pruned is important to their health. Repotting will also need to be done. When the roots have filled the pot to the limit, the tree will need a bigger pot to continue growing.

The water level of the tree in a container can be monitored easily. Using a finger, feel for moisture in the soil about an inch deep. If the soil is dry, water the outdoor Bonsai tree until the water travels out the bottom of the container. In-ground trees can be watered according to typical rainfall for the region or by using individual judgment. Care must be taken when watering the outdoor Bonsai trees in the winter. The temperature must be at least 45 degrees F. Otherwise, the tree may be damaged.

Outdoor Bonsai trees are gaining in popularity as well as indoors. Many people have a few, sometimes more. Growing the outdoor tree is a rewarding pastime and give you a beautiful yard that you can enjoy for years to come.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 7:42 pm and is filed under Garden. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.