The design of a bonsai requires a lot of attention and care. There is an art to bringing trees into a miniature form. The wood lives in limited conditions and requires balance in every respect. It also plays an important role in the root ball.
The roots are a particularly beautiful element in bonsai
root growth
The bonsai develops a miniature root system, which takes on the same functions as the roots of normal-sized trees. With increasing age, the root strength increases due to the growth in thickness. Their outer skin is lignified, so that these structures appear trunk-like.
Tasks of the roots:
- Absorption of moisture and dissolved salts
- Anchoring the bonsai in the ground
- storage of nutrients
emergence of the roots
The roots grow as protuberances in search of nutrients and water from the vegetation cone into the soil. This forms the part of the plant body that is equipped with dividing tissue and can thus ensure the formation of new plant organs. A root cap protect the cone from injury. It gets old for a few days and then decomposes into a slimy mass.
root hairs
These structures show up as fine hair fluff on the root tips. The more fine roots the plant has, the larger the absorption area for water and nutrient salts and the more vital the bonsai grows. The rear root area is used to transmit and store these substances so that the metabolism of the mini tree is maintained.
form the roots
The shaping of the root ball plays an important role in bonsai art. It follows the principle that there is a balanced relationship between tree crown and root ball. The look, on the other hand, is influenced by individual taste, but here too there are general techniques. They refer to the formation of the Nebari. This root base denotes the near-surface and stem-like roots.
pruning the roots
When you repot a bonsai, devote yourself to root pruning. Cut old and dead root parts to support vigor and encourage leaf growth. The tree develops new suction roots at the base of the trunk. Remove strong roots that grow straight down. This shifts the growth to the laterally pronounced root strands. The wood invests its energy in these areas, so that the lateral roots become thicker over time. With this method, a ball with radial roots can be formed.
tips
A bonsai is usually repotted between March and April or when the soil is fully rooted.
Encourage new roots
The tourniquet method serves to form a new nebari over the old. Wrap a copper wire around the base of the trunk, making sure it is snug against the bark. The tissue is thus constricted as the stem expands. This restricts the transport of nutrients and the bonsai is forced to develop new roots above the ring. The measure is recommended for spring, before the new growing season begins.