When one thinks of a bonsai tree, they often don’t think of the very many varieties of this cunning plant that exist. Among them is the stunning dogwood bonsai, which is a hardy plant that is fairly easy to grow with the right amount of patience. With the right planting structure and a bit of time, you can grow successfully your own dogwood bonsai to create that peaceful, Zen-like atmosphere to your yard that bonsais are clearly known for.

A dogwood bonsai is somewhat easy to grow, as they can be successfully grown from seed. You can retrieve a dogwood bonsai seed from an existing tree and allow it to soak for a week until it is soft before planting. Make sure the seeds have dried completely after soaking before beginning the planting process. Dogwood seeds need to be planted in a large pot with ample draining to allow a solid root structure to grow, and need rich soil and plenty of water to grow successfully. Soaking the seed is essential for allowing the dogwood bonsai plant to grow successfully into a tree.

As dogwood bonsais grow, they must be re-potted into larger pots twice a year. Failure to do so results in the bundling of root structure and a weaker, smaller adult tree. As stated above, bonsais love water and yummy, nutritious soil, so be sure to include these whenever you are re-potting your bonsai tree into a larger planter. Adding peat moss to the soil when re-potting helps to balance the natural pH of the bonsai plant (which prefers a 5.0 to a 6.0) so it can grow successfully. Placing a layer of stones in the bottom of the pot prior to adding soil can help add oxygen to the plant as it grows as well.

Dogwood bonsais, like related varieties of the tree, do take time to grow. The dogwood has a moderate pace when it grows, and is a hardy tree to grow into an adult. It’s a decent tree for beginners in the bonsai world of planting, as bonsais as a whole can be both enjoyable and frustrating for the gardener attempting to enjoy them. Grown successfully, you can even enjoy a dogwood bonsai within your own home. Just be sure to place it in a window or sunny area so it can bask in that natural sunlight the plant craves.

Dogwood bonsais need air to help their branch structure, and plenty of sunshine. Avoid overwatering your bonsai (which makes their roots bundle and rot) by allowing proper draining in your planter, and shape your bonsai as necessary to allow it to grow well. In the sunshine, your bonsai will grow into a lovely tree, and given time, will grow to an impressive structure in your garden. Growing a bonsai may seem like a daunting task, but the dogwood bonsai can be a great choice of the variety for your home if you lack the experience of growing bonsai plants. Before long, with a bit of effort, you can see your seedling turn into a beautiful and relaxing bonsai tree that you can enjoy for years to come.