bonsai.
What is it? The art of Bonsai gardening
originated from Japan and is a process in which
trees are ‘trained’ to grow in small pots or
containers. A warning: sustaining a healthy
Bonsai is not an easy task, so only buy one if you
are committed!
How do I look after one? There are thousands of
different types of Bonsai trees which r equire
different levels of care, but here are some general tips for growing a healthy Bonsai.
Keeping your bonsai in the correct room is essential. Ensure it will get plenty of
sunlight, but it will not get too hot or too cold in that area. A reasonable amount of
humidity helps to prevent the soil from drying out. It is very easy to over, or underwater them, so wait until the soil is beginning to dry out then add water until a
little bit of excess water seeps out of the bottom of the pot. Pruning needs to be
done at the roots and the branches. Carefully select the ‘bad’ ones of each and
remove them. When fertilizing the bonsai, ensure that it is of high quality, as
spending a few dollars more can make a big difference. Make sure to always check
that your bonsai is cared for, as they are extremely sensitive!
cactus.
What is it? A succulent plant originating from the
Cactaceae family, which thrive in warm climates. (And
no, we are not talking about the monstrosities that grow
in the desert, but the nice little indoor ones.) They have
fleshy, leafless and spiny stems, and typically have
solitary, bright flowers and do not need much water.
They could arguably be called the ‘lazy-person’s plant’.
How do I look after one? Allow it to remain in the pot
you bought it in for up to a month, then remove it
(using thick gloves!) and place it into a pot around two
inches bigger than the original. Cacti do not grow much, so a large pot is not
necessary if it is only a small cactus. Ensure the soil is packed in tight, and water
it thoroughly to help the rooting process in the new soil. Make sure your cactus is
in a nice, sunny spot, and other than that, it shouldn’t need to be watered for
another 4-5 weeks. If you notice the cactus is leaning to the side slightly, this could
mean you are over-watering it. Oh, and try not to touch the spikes!