When we start bringing plants into our house, we always want to make a bonsai as the next step. Bonsai can be a good hobby and growing it is not bad. There are still some challenges and misconception that makes bonsai bad.
Here we’ll try to understand those bad things about bonsai.
- Misunderstands–
It is often mistakenly perceived that special species of bonsai are created in the lab in the same that hybrid plant species are created which is not true. Bonsai are ordinary trees whose stems and roots are shaped by pruning and other methods. So many consider this process cruel to the tree which is the biggest downside of bonsai.
- High attention–
Bonsai trees need a significant amount of time, care, and maintenance such as regular pruning, repotting, and wiring. This level of attention can be time can be a great pain for an ordinary busy man.
- The sweet place for insects-
Bonsai creates a humid and suitable environment for insects like mosquitos. They are typically kept in small containers and pots, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases by creating a homely environment for them. This doesn’t look much but when it comes to real life it can be a great problem to your home.
- Expensive hobby-
If you make and shape it at home or buy it from the nursery. In both ways, it will be costly. These costs are associated with expensive species, how much older, high-quality tools, pots, soil, and time (time equals money). That’s why bonsai is considered an expensive hobby.
- Species limitation-
You pick a random tree species for bonsai cultivation. Most of the trees will not respond well to pruning and shaping conditions that are required for a bonsai tree, cornering and limiting the varieties that can be used as a bonsai.
- Long term promise
Bonsai live a long life even a century depending on the species and they need proper care during their lifetime. It is very hard to keep a long-term commitment to bonsai. You can’t go and travel somewhere stress freely especially when you live alone or you are the only person in the family who loves bonsai, they won’t give enough attention the way you would do and neglecting a bonsai can lead to its decline or death.
- Skill requirement-
Successfully growing a bonsai requires a lot of understanding and horticulture knowledge. The technique involved in bonsai shaping needs a lot of skill requirements, which novices don’t have. (If you don’t start how you can have skills.)
- Stresses-
The regular process of pruning required for bonsai can be stressful for the tree. If you can’t do it correctly, you may end up harming the tree’s health and appearance.
It can be stressful for the owner too if the owner loves plants and animals. He may become stressed by thinking it’s cruel and inhuman.
- Environmental issue-
Bonsai trees are not suitable for all environments. They have specific environmental requirements such as light, temperature, and humidity. So there is no guarantee they will survive in every climate condition (depending on the species)
So these are the negative side of bonsai. Bonsai can be a great showpiece if cared for perfectly.