How are you caring for your bonsai? Your tree needs love and affection, but also certain processes that are essential to keep it healthy and developing properly. Just as you transplant it, fertilise it in the best way and wire it, you must also prune it. Bonsai pruning is key to maintaining its shape and size, also helping it to grow vigorously. There are different types of pruning and we are going to give you details of some of them so that you have enough knowledge to know how to proceed. Remember everything we’ve told you! 

Get to work on bonsai pruning

When we talk about bonsai pruning, we have to point out that one type is intended to give the bonsai the most beneficial structure, while the other aims to keep the tree in perfect condition. We are talking about training or structural pruning and maintenance pruning. 

  1. Training or structural pruning: To summarise, we can say that this pruning is the one intended to create the ideal bonsai design. Let’s say it’s about moulding it into the right shape. One of the tasks involved in this procedure is the removal of branches that do not match the style of your bonsai. Do you want to know when to do it? You have to study the species of bonsai you have well in order to do it at the right time. The reference we can give you is that this pruning, in general, should be done when the tree is in the resting phase. 
  2. Maintenance pruning: This pruning is for control. It is done to manage the size of the plant and achieve strong and solid branching. Here you have to focus on removing the elements that correspond to the perfect shape of the bonsai. Remove leaves, new shoots and any small branches that are left over. In contrast to training pruning, maintenance pruning must be done during the growth phase of the bonsai, i.e. during the late spring or summer. 

Fertilising during bonsai pruning is not mandatory; it is more important to carry out this process before and after pruning. It is ideal to fertilise in the weeks prior to pruning so that the bonsai is strong enough to cope with training pruning. Now, be very careful with the fertilisation that takes place after pruning. Why? The bonsai needs time to absorb everything it needs. Give it a margin of about two weeks, after which you can continue fertilising. 

At Zoka we have fertilisers with a carefully balanced composition. Each one is prepared for a different time of the year and for different stages of bonsai development. Grab the pack and make sure your plant is beautiful and healthy!