Bonsai Trees for Beginners

Unit 1 – Introduction

• Plant Taxonomy Botanical/Horticultural Nomenclature, The Binomial System, Botanical Classification, Plant Families and Species, Hybrids, Varieties and Cultivars
• Pronunciation of Plant Names
• Groups of Plants

Unit 2 – Propagation

• Introduction
• Methods of Propagating Plants sexual propagation, asexual propagation
• Seed Propagation collecting seed, storing seed and sowing seed
• Cutting Propagation stem cuttings, hardwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings, leaf cuttings, leaf bud cuttings, root cuttings, factors affecting rooting of cuttings, striking cuttings, after care.
• Propagating Mixes and potting mixes
• Other Propagation Methods layering, air layering and grafting.

Unit 3 – Plants for Bonsai

• Introduction
• History of Bonsai
• Types of plants suited for use as Bonsai sourcing Bonsai material
• Some plant choices

Unit 4 – Bonsai Styles and Techniques

• Classification of styles of Bonsai eg. formal upright, informal upright, slanting or leaning, semi cascade, cascade
• Other styles of classification eg. sakei
• Japanese classification
• Bonsai Techniques
• Bonsai Containers preparing the container
• Wire wiring a bonsai
• Pruning
• Tools needed for Bonsai work pruning tools, potting tools and wiring tools.

Unit 5 – Creating Bonsai

• Principles of Design roots, trunk and branches.
• Evaluating the Bonsai and assessing additional features
• Pruning and shaping the bonsai plant prune and grow techniques
• Wiring techniques and grooming
• Branch Patterns in Bonsai jins, shari and driftwood
• Root Evaluation in the Initial Stages of Bonsai potting the Bonsai, rock planting, clasped to rock design and root over rock.

Unit 6 – Bonsai Culture and Maintenance

• Soils Soil composition, colloids, structure, texture, chemical properties, improving soils, improving texture, improving structure, improving fertility.
• Soil for potted bonsai principle components
• Particle characteristics particle size, sorting, particle shape, particle surface texture
• Growing Medium Mixture functions of a growing medium, properties of a growing medium, drainage, water retention and colour and appearance.
• The Nutrient Elements macronutrients and micronutrients
• Common Pest Problems on Bonsai eg. aphids, borers, caterpillars, scale and thrips.
• Common Fungal Diseases of Plants eg. Anthracnose, Powdery Mildew and Rust
• Watering and Fertilising Bonsai symptoms of water deficiency, symptoms of excess water and fertilising.
• Repotting and Root Pruning the Bonsai
• Maintenance Pruning for Bonsai removing dead/diseased wood, controlling the type of growth, controlling shape and size, rejuvenating, leaf-cutting, basic rules of pruning, points to consider when pruning.
• Placing the Bonsai

Unit 7 – Landscaping Principles for Bonsai

• Principles of Landscape Design Unity, Balance, Proportion, Harmony, Contrast and Rhythm
• Qualities of Landscape Components line, form, mass, space, texture, colour and tone
• Creating Landscape Effects
• Landscape Applications for Using Bonsai group plantings, ssaikei, bonseki, bonkei, miniature gardens, rock gardens, water gardens.
• Bonsai in Tubs and Landscape Features

Unit 8 – Special Assignment