Anita Peter was amazed by her sister-in-law’s bonsai garden when she first went to her home about 34 years ago. Anita was mesmerized by the exquisite small trees in the lovely pots and decided right away to create one in her own home in Kadavanthra, Kochi.
The 56-year-old is currently the "mother" of 225 different bonsai tree varieties that are spread around her 3-cent garden plot. Many fruit plants, including rose apples, and cherries, as well as ficus trees, make up the majority of the collection.
"My sister-in-law led me to this field, and with her help, I created a lovely garden that has become our family's favorite location to relax. I treat each bonsai like my child and give them regular care. They give me unmatched happiness and peace, adds Anita, who serves as the Cochin Bonsai Club's secretary.
She developed a liking for gardening after she planted her first bonsai. She purchases bonsai plants from a variety of locations, including the highway and her sister-in-yard. law's "This kind of plant is typically fairly expensive, and purchasing each one is not always an option. They are also wherever we look. All we have to do is look more closely at our surroundings. Particularly, the fiscus variety is widely accessible everywhere, claims the gardener.
She continues by explaining that cultivating bonsai is entirely different from regular gardening.
Everything is so different, from choosing the correct potting soil to the length of the budding process. In contrast to regular plants, bonsais require several days to produce a leaf or blossom.
However, the process is incredibly rewarding, and the outcome is unparalleled. Her husband and three kids, who make up her family, actively support her interest and participate in the activities.
However, despite having a demanding schedule as a special educator, Anita makes time to check on her plants. "After the birth of my children, I entered the field of special education because two of them had learning problems. Bringing them up involves a lot of knowledge and patience, just like cultivating a bonsai. Today, I mentor several parents to help them raise their children well, claims Anita, who runs Lil Sparrow, a facility for families of children with disabilities.
Expert tips on how to grow bonsai trees:
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Buy a seedling or bonsai plant from a gardener or nursery. Make sure it was grown organically to avoid a sudden end to the growth.
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Choose medium-sized pots for the plant, which will eventually grow into a tree. Make sure the pot has enough holes for the water to drain out.
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To prevent total water loss, lightly fill the gaps with stones.
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The most important stage in bonsai cultivation is selecting the right potting mix. Add a layer of gravel with fairly large stones on top. Add fine gravel with stones that are about 5 mm in size on top of that. This prevents drying out of the plant and ensures that the roots are not impeded tightly.
- The top layer is made up of neem cake, cocopeat, and cow dung. Use only organic manure. Chemical fertilizers might accelerate development, but they won't help the plant live for very long.
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Plant the seeds in the pot and water them regularly.
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Spray the plants instead of using a hose to avoid overwatering.
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Another important step in accelerating the plant's growth is pruning. Start with the help of seasoned gardeners before doing it on your own. A lot of pruning could destroy the plant.
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Occasionally mist diluted neem oil to avoid diseases and pests.
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Watch the bud of a new leaf or blossom with patience. You shouldn't expect to get these right away from the plant.
