Some of the most interesting plants that you can observe both inside and outside under you garden lights are bonsai trees. If you want to start caring for your own bonsai tree, it is not essential to be in possession of specialist bonsai tools. However, it can save you a great deal of effort and time in your bonsai care if you do own a few good tools. My father always used to say that you must always have the proper tools for the task in hand – he was not wrong! Sculpting your bonsai tree to match the style you have imagined can be made much easier if you possess the correct equipment.
A wide range of bonsai tools are available. These tools will aid the growth and the training of a Chinese bonsai tree. Here is a small selection of the many tools every budding bonsai sculptor should possess.
Bonsai Tree
The first tool you need is a concave cutter. These are available in two different sizes, one is designed for the cutting of small branches and the other is designed for the cutting of larger branches. Beginners are likely to require only the smaller version. The only exception to this rule is if you have acquired a large tree to start off with! A concave cutter is a vital tool in a budding bonsai gardener’s collection. This is because it allows the removal of branches in such a way that encourages rapid healing on the branches. If you do not possess a concave cutter, any cuts you make to a branch are likely to result in an ugly bump being formed over the area of the cut during the healing process. The name of this piece of equipment is derived from the cut’s concave shape.
A good pair of butterfly shears will also help you. This tool is frequently used for pruning tasks. It is used for a range of bonsai duties however it is designed for cutting through branches which are strong and thick. The tool is used when other tools are simply unable to do the job. Additionally, they are capable of trimming areas of foliage which have overgrown as well as delicately cutting leaves and smaller branches. Although this tool can be used to make delicate cuts to the branches, it can sometimes be easier and simpler to just use your fingers. In short, this piece of equipment is best suited to the trimming, cutting and pruning of your bonsai.
The third tool that you need is a root hook. This piece of equipment is ideal for the re-potting and de-tangling of the roots under the bonsai tree. It should be used biannually or annually during the re-potting of a bonsai tree. The root hook enables the removal of old soil from the roots of the tree. In the absence of this tool, unintended damage may be caused to the bonsai’s roots. Although essential, this tool is not needed for bonsai trees which are either very small in size or very young. In this case, the use of chopsticks is advisable for this task.
Tip: multiple variations of the root hook exist. Go for the simplest models. The more simple models possess only one hook at their end as opposed to multiple hooks. Advanced models of root hook can cause damage to the bonsai’s roots if proper care is not taken during their use.
It is not recommended for a beginner to purchase top quality Chinese bonsai tools. Carbon steel black cutters are less expensive than those made from stainless steel and if you only have a single bonsai tree to look after then cheap cutters will prove more than adequate for its management.
