How To Make A Bonsai Tree Grow Bigger: You Won’t Regret This

How To Make A Bonsai Tree Grow Bigger

How to make a Bonsai tree grow bigger? is by leaving it in a big pot for years without transplanting or pruning it so it will grow bigger.

In this article, I want to talk to you about one of bonsai’s most frequent cultivation questions. 

Give me your attention because I will list several ways to grow a large bonsai tree and how to do them correctly to obtain the best result.

Also, learn how to grow bonsai trees from seed. [Link] and learn how to care for a bonsai tree. now let’s get into the real deal 馃

How To Make A Bonsai Tree Grow Bigger By Leaving Them In A Big Pot

How to make a bonsai tree grow bigger or how to make a large bonsai tree There are different methods to make it

The simplest is to leave our bonsai in a large pot for several years without transplanting it or pruning it so that it becomes invigorated and thus fattens. 

Note: This should be a regular planting pot because they are deeper than bonsai pots.

Leaving the bonsai tree for several years causes it to increase in size to maintain all the green it has.

Once it has reached the desired thickness, we will have to transplant it into a smaller pot, prune it, and give it a design this is How to make a Bonsai tree grow bigger.

I invite you to read how to transplant a bonsai tree since this process requires transplanting of bonsai. Please click here to read.

How Long Do I Have To Keep In A Training Pot For It To Bigger?

Factors that determine how many years a  bonsai should stay in a pot

路         The species: Not all tree species grow at the same rate, so slow-growing trees will require more time.

路         Subscriber: We must fertilize strongly so that our bonsai has enough nutrients to help it grow. 

If you don’t know how to fertilize a bonsai tree, I invite you to read how to fertilize a Bonsai tree. Read now.

路         Substrate: The quality of the substrate is also important; the more quality it has, the more comfortable the roots will be and the more they will help in the fattening process of our little tree.

I also recommend you read our article concerning the best substrate for bonsai. Read now [Link]

路         Situation: Surely you wonder how many hours of sun a bonsai needs. The answer is straightforward: All that you can supply. 

Whether your tree is indoors or outdoors, it needs light. 

Most trees need at least half a day of light to grow normally. We must supply our tree with enough light for it to grow. 

The sun is our friend and more if you want to speed up the growth process of the bonsai.

We need to be knowledgeable enough to know the best location to keep our bonsai tree during any season of the year or even indoor or outdoor bonsai.

But don’t worry, I have covered this for you. Read the best location to place a bonsai tree. Read now.

路         Health: The health of your bonsai will also influence how to make a Bonsai tree grow bigger

Please protect it from pests and diseases that would weaken it and would be detrimental to its growth and guarantee its existence.

Also, read how to protect your bonsai from pests and diseases. Read now. [Link]

Once I have explained, I will enumerate the different techniques concerning how to make a big bonsai tree.

How To Grow A Large Bonsai Tree By Using Sacrificial Bonsai Branches

How to grow a large bonsai tree using this technique is well known, although the name may seem somewhat macabre to you.

It would be best not to worry because it does not imply doing any ritual in the moonlight.

The sacrificial branches in the bonsai technique means cultivating branches that are born from the trunk of our tree.

Let it grow freely without pruning or pinching them for 2 or 3 years. 

It will cause our tree to grow bigger more quickly, widening as these branches grow.

The best-known sacrificial branch is the apical one, usually placed above the apex and thickens the tree’s entire trunk.

Although our branches are also often used in other lower areas of the trunk to promote conicity since the bonsai will tend to get fat. More from that branch down.

We must replace the sacrificial branch every 2 or 3 years and not allow it to gain too much power over the tree.

Otherwise, the trunk will grow in a very similar way throughout its length, losing taper.

It is also necessary to control it to avoid losing lower shoots that we will need later for the design. 

We have to consider this point, especially in species where it is difficult for old bonsai to sprout.

In addition to sacrificial branches to fatten the trunk

We can also use this technique to fatten branches by letting them grow freely and cutting part of them once they have the desired thickness or allowing one of its sub-branches to fatten to favor taper.

Read more: How To Take Care Of A Bonsai Tree.

The Advantage Of How To Grow A Big Bonsai Tree By Using Sacrificial Branch 

  1. It is easy to perform
  2. It is a very effective technique, if done correctly
  3. Using several, we control conicity

The  Disadvantages Of How To Grow A Big Bonsai Tree Using Sacrificial Branch 

  1. They leave wounds when pruning them
  2. It can harm new shoots by reducing their strength
  3. If it is left too fattened, the entire trunk without taper
  4. It can create bulges in your birth zone

How To Make A Large Bonsai Tree With Strainer

How to make a large bonsai tree This technique is quite controversial because there are opinions from bonsai enthusiasts at both ends.

Those who consider it not working and those who sell it as something miraculous.

In summary, the bonsai cultivation technique in a filter consists of planting our tree in a container with holes, usually plastic.

We use The typical container to drain food that we can find in any kitchen to promote aeration of the roots and thus accelerate the tree growth. 

This type of practice is usually very common to use with seedlings since it is the one that usually sees faster results.

However, we can apply it to any bonsai regardless of its age.

How Do I Grow My Bonsai In A Strainer?

Growing in a strainer is easy. Planting your bonsai inside a strainer like a pot would be best. 

For this, you must choose the size of the filter you will use. 

I recommend that you do not take it too big since the larger its size, the more substrate it will have.

The less aeration there will be because it will be more difficult for the air to reach the roots. 

In addition, it will take longer to heat up, and the roots require at least 21潞C to activate and grow.

How To Make A Bonsai Tree Grow Bigger In A Strainer

Once planted, you should place it in full sun and water it copiously every time you see the substrate dry.

Another of the important points that you must make and in which many fans fail because they do not do it is that you must pay constantly.

Not only in spring and autumn but throughout the year and more frequently than you would use when fertilizing a pot. 

Also, learn how to choose a bonsai pot. Read now.

Use slow-release fertilizer because if you use liquid fertilizer, doing it more frequently than normal could burn the roots. 

It is important not to fertilize more at once.

When we fertilize, we will use the same amount of fertilizer that we would use in a pot, but we will replace it as soon as we see that it is degraded.

Learn how to fertilize a Bonsai tree correctly. Learn now.

What Substrate Do I Use To Grow In A Strainer

Knowing that growing in a filter is based on over-aerating the roots, it makes sense to use a draining substrate that makes it easier for the roots to be aerated. 

Therefore, we will use a medium and even coarse granulometry substrate. 

I recommend using medium-grain akadama and kiryuzuna in a 70/30 ratio.

Also, read the best substance for bonsai. Read now. [Link]

How To Water A Bonsai In A Strainer

Being in a filter, the substrate will dry out much faster than if we tree plant it in a pot. 

Therefore, we must be aware of and watch it so it never dries completely.

We will always water copiously until the water comes out of the filter abundantly.

On the hottest days, I recommended that we monitor our bonsai.

Even more, if it fits in a strainer and we cannot control it.

And we know that day will be very hot, so I recommended putting it in the shade. 

It may seem inconsistent if we recommend having it in full sun.

Still, the damage we can do if it dries excessively will be much worse than leaving it in the shade for a day.

Also, learn how to water a Bonsai tree correctly.

How To Transplant Bonsai Tree In A Strainer

Using filters accelerates the generation of roots, so you will surely have to transplant more frequently, in many cases annually. 

Do not worry if this will affect the bonsai tree’s fattening speed.

By transplanting more frequently, you will encourage the generation of fine roots.

It will obtain a good “root bread” that will promote the nebari and the taper of your bonsai.

Learn how to transplant a Bonsai tree. Read now.

Tips For Growing In A Strainer

I will not get tired of saying that you watch the irrigation. Do not let the substrate dry out completely.

Learn how to check the bonsai moisture level. Read now.

The color of the filter also influences. A white colander will retain less heat than a dark one, so keep that in mind. 

On the other hand, I recommend that you do not use flashy colors and that if you are going to use this method with several plants.

Try to use only one color of the filter, or at least use colors that combine so that your bonsai area does not look like a rainbow aesthetically.

Be very careful in winter. As the roots are more exposed, they can freeze, so it is convenient that you protect them.

Advantage Of Growing Bonsai In A STRAINER 

  • Economic
  • easy to perform
  • Generates fine roots that favor nebari
  • Short-term results

Disadvantages OF Growing Bonsai In A Strainer

  • Requires to be aware of irrigation
  • We must take care of the frost.

How To Make A Bonsai Tree Grow Bigger By Growing Them In The  Ground 

grow bonsai tree in the ground

The cultivation technique in the soil is to thicken bonsai, which consists of planting our tree in the soil for a few years to encourage its growth.

Advantage Of Growing Bonsai In The Ground 

How to make a Bonsai tree grow bigger: The good thing about this method is that it requires less care than other techniques.

Since our plant is in the ground, it will be more protected from the weather.

However, we must not forget to water it and fertilize it.

The growth rate is usually quite fast.

The Disadvantage Of Cultivation of Bonsai Tree on Ground 

One of the negative points of this practice is that when it comes to extracting our bonsai again.

If we do not transplant it annually, the roots will have spread through the ground, and we may have to taper. 

We usually remove them from the ground and prune all the branches.

 To start designing from scratch but having a bonsai with a thick trunk.

Different Cultivation Techniques On The Ground

There are different variations of cultivation techniques in bonsai soil. We can classify it into the following types:

  • Planted in the ground: The tree is planted directly in the ground.
  • Planted inside a filter and in the soil simultaneously: In this way, we can control more root growth; when replanting, the filter is removed, and all the roots that have penetrated it are cut.
  • Planted in a filter placed on the ground or on a pot: The strainer technique is used, and it is placed on a pot with the substrate or on the soil to encourage the roots to go in search of the soil.
  • Planted in a pot on another larger pot with the substrate or on the ground: as in the previous technique, the aim is to cause the tree to generate roots that search for the substrate in the largest container.

Advantages Of Growing In Ground

  • Fast and large fattening
  • Less watering
  • Less fertilizer
  • More protected against inclement weather (sun/cold)

Disadvantages Of Growing On The Ground

  • No Taper
  • Gross Fattening Of Roots And Branches
  • Requires More Space Than Other Techniques
  • Riskier Transplants

How To Make A Bonsai Tree Bigger Conclusions

How to grow a big bonsai tree: different ways to make our bonsai grow faster and more significant.

Earlier to appear to have more years of cultivation than they have, and you can also combine these bonsai fattening tricks according to our needs.

In any case, one of the characteristics we like the most in bonsai is the sensation of the passing of the years.

This so-called mochikomi is nothing more than the trunk, bark, and tree character.

Also, learn how to choose a bonsai tree.

Also, learn

  1. What Is A Pre Bonsai Tree And What Does Pre Bonsai Means
  2. What Is The Best Location For A Bonsai Tree?
  3. How To Wire A Bonsai Tree
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