Caring for delicately scented Japanese orchids is a bit different than for most other garden flowers. They are epiphytes, which mean that rather than growing in soil, their roots are exposed to the air. In the wild orchids grow on other plants, using them for mechanical support. Orchids are not parasitic. They get their nutrients from the air and are sometimes called aerophytes, or air plants. Most Japanese orchids have white blossoms, but they can be found in subtle shades of pink and yellow.

The easiest way to grow them at home is to use a small flower pot filled halfway with coconut fibre. Bonsai planters will work as well, but since most of these are shallower, you must take more care with watering.

After wrapping the roots of the orchid in sphagnum moss, place the orchid in the flower pot, making sure that the crown, or top, of the orchid sits above the rim of the pot. Water just enough to dampen both the coconut fiber and the moss. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then pour the excess water out of the drain tray. It is important for the moss to be kept moist. (Do not leave your Orchid standing in water as it will drown)

If you have decided to go with a bonsai planter, you may have to adjust your watering schedule to make sure the moss in the bottom of the tray does not dry out. Using a deeper bonsai planter dish tends to hold moisture longer than a shallower tray.

Orchids like plenty of light  (but not direct light) and prefer temperatures between 24 to 30 Celsius during the day. Night temperatures should not get much below 18 degrees Celsius. Japanese orchids are more robust than most other varieties and will tolerate slightly cooler temperatures.

Use lukewarm distilled water to mist your orchids once every other day during the spring and summer seasons. Avoid tap water since it may have chemicals that might harm the plant.

Fertilize your orchid once a month from early spring until the autumn. Fertilizing is not necessary in winter since the plant won’t be actively growing. Liquid or water soluble types of orchid fertilizer are advised. Fertilizers may cause salt and mineral build up in the bottom of the flower pot. Changing the coconut fiber once a year prevents this build up from harming the orchid.

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This post was written by Paul Masterson

Paul is a collector of Bonsai, tropical plants and owner of Bonsai.ie.

I had an early morning walk this morning (9am is early to me) and noticed that this year must be the year of the Buttercup. Every year I watch the cycle of the weed invasion on the percolation area. Last year it was the Thistle and the nitrogen fixing Gorse the year before that.

This area of land was originally meant to be the veggie patch. An area of natural compost that could have fed us all year.

Did you know that in some countries they try to Bonsai potatoes. Myself I prefer Mutton stew with potatoes. (www.bonsaipotato.com)

You have to say that a mass of Buttercups does look impressive. I remember as a kid picking a buttercup and placing it under someone’s chin to see if they like butter, if it reflected then they liked butter. (a good chat up line)

As gardeners we like to have all plants looking well, we like plants to grow were we like it. When this changes we either go to war or embrace it. The same can be said for Bonsai.

Over the years I have trained many trees. You normally start out by planting the seed, set the training in motion by shaping, analysing and shaping again. But then, you come across a species of tree that has its own ideas, a tree that can be impressive as a Bonsai or a garden specimen. In my case this was a Mimosa. The natural pattern of this tree is to grow upright and it did… it now stands at 12 foot tall with beautiful pink flowers. The birds love it as it sits beside the feeder and with its heavy growth and mass of stems it protects them from the Local Hawk and Buzzard.

When trees don’t make it as Bonsai, don’t discard them plant these natural beauties out in your garden. As for the Buttercup’s, you could train them as an ‘Accent Plant’ or use them as a chat up line!

This post was written by Paul Masterson

Paul is a collector of Bonsai, tropical plants and owner of Bonsai.ie.

It’s great that ‘Natures Watering Can’ helps to make life much easier, especially when the number of tree’s and plant’s outnumber’s the amount of trips you really need to take after a tiring weekend.

It’s not that I mind looking after the tree’s. In fact I get great pleasure spending time with each tree, checking it’s progress, reviewing it, planning what future work is required.
I have this Pine in a broom style that has been sitting in a growing bed for nearly 7 years, it’s time now to review it’s future home. Most likely it will sit in a round pot with some ‘Spagnum Moss’ added to give that natural ground look. The soil I tend to use is John Innes no. 2 with some horticultural sand added for extra drainage. I will explain later on how to pot a bonsai.

This post was written by Paul Masterson

Paul is a collector of Bonsai, tropical plants and owner of Bonsai.ie.