What are the bonsai tools needed to care for it?

Bonsai are cared for with specific tools

Nobody ever said that caring for a bonsai was easy, but it is not easy at first to know the function of each of the bonsai. bonsai tools that any teacher will recommend you acquire. There are usually nine ... not counting the watering can, the substrate or the flowerpot.

So if you want to know all about those objects that should help you have a well-kept bonsai, let's talk about it 🙂.

What are bonsai tools?

Scissors, pliers, clippers, tweezers ... there are many! Knowing them all is important to make care easier, but ... how many are there?

Bonsai pruning tools (and related)

Wire

Wire is an interesting tool

The wire, as its name suggests, It is used to wire, in this case branches of the bonsai or the tree with which we are working. It can be brown or black, made of steel or aluminum, and of different thickness depending on which branch you want to shape: from 1, 1'5, 2, 2'5, 3… and so on up to 5mm. The ones in the image are made of aluminum, an easy material to bend.

Sold in packs of five here. Get it 🙂.

Tweezers

The tweezers are very useful for working bonsai

The tweezers are stainless steel and they are used a lot to remove leaves, or remains of substrate that may have remained between the branches or roots in an area that is difficult to access.

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Concave pruner

View of a concave mower

It is used to cut thin branches that start or are lignified, as well as unwanted suckers or suckers. The cuts it makes are concave, so visually they look much more aesthetic. It is made of manganese steel, so it has a very long service life 😉.

Buy it here.

Spherical pruner

The spherical pruner is a bonsai tool

It is similar to the concave mower, with the difference that the cut is spherical. The one in the image is a Japanese tool made of carbon steel, characteristics that make its quality somewhat higher, as well as the price.

Get it here.

Sierra

Bonsai pruning saw

Saws are used only at the beginning, when formation pruning is required, and just to cut thick branches. It has an ergonomic handle and a serrated blade that makes smooth, clean cuts.

Buy it here.

Pruning shears

The bonsai pruning shears

It is indicated for the pruning of green branches and leaves. It has precision blades, thus making the cut as clean as possible. In addition, as they are made of stainless steel, with minimal maintenance that we will see in the end, they will surely last you many years.

Buy them here.

Bonsai transplant tools

Pads

View of bonsai pads

Bonsai pads or nets They are used to 'cover' the drainage holes in the trays and thus prevent the loss of substrate. They are made of plastic, so that they can be shaped as desired.

Buy them here.

Hook

The hook is a transplant tool

The hook used to more easily remove the substrate from the roots. It has an ergonomic wooden handle, and the hook itself is made of manganese steel.

Buy it here.

Flowerpot / tray

A brown bonsai pot

Bonsai pots or trays are a whole world: there are many types, sizes and colors. Choosing one is not easy, as it has to be a model that is beautiful but does not stand out too much since the prominence has to be taken by the tree. Also, its shape must fit well with the movement and development of the plant; which is why tall and narrow trays are used for cascade or semi-cascade bonsai, or oval and low trays like the one in the photo for forests or trees with a formal vertical style.

It is made of ceramic and measures 24 centimeters in diameter by 6 centimeters wide. Buy it here.

Rake

The rake is useful for transplanting bonsai

The rake is not a specific transplanting tool, but as used to roughly level the substrate, I have decided to put it here in this section. It is made of stainless steel and provides a firm grip, so it will be comfortable to use.

Buy it here.

Watering can

Japanese watering can for bonsai

The watering can is not a transplant-only tool, but as you surely know or if I do not tell you already, you cannot use a conventional watering can. The holes in the artichoke must be small so that the water flows out smoothly, since otherwise the substrate would be lost before its time. The one you see in the image is Japanese and has a capacity of 3 liters.

Buy it here.

Substratum

Akadama, a substrate for bonsai

the substrate It is the medium in which the roots will develop, and which you should keep moist (but not flooded) as well as with compost. There are many types, such as kanuma, for example, which is indicated for acidophilic species (maples, azaleas, etc.), akadama, which is the one most used for standard plants (olive, almond, fig, etc.), or the pumice that is recommended to be used only on typical desert trees (such as baobab) or mixed with another.

You have all the information in this link:

Bonsai Kits

If you want to save a few euros, you can buy a kit, like these that we recommend:

Transplant kit with 14 pieces

Transplant Toolkit

This is an interesting kit with 14 transplant tools It includes even a small scoop so you can fill the tray more comfortably, tweezers, scissors and a dust remover.

Buy it here.

10 piece kit

Bonsai Tool Kit of 10

This kit has everything you need to take care of your bonsai, including the brush that is used to clean the roots. The tools are made of carbon steel, so their durability is assured.

Buy it here.

How to keep bonsai tools in good condition?

To last as long as they have to last, it is very important to keep them in a cool and dry place, protected from direct sun. Likewise, before and after use, they should be thoroughly cleaned with water - better if it is hot - and soap or pharmacy alcohol, in order to prevent infections.

Keep in mind that viruses, fungi and bacteria can be seen with the naked eye, and that even the eggs of some insects are so small that they can be mistaken for a spot that has come out of the tool. Therefore, cleaning is not necessary, it can be vital for our bonsai.

Bonsai are miniature trees
Related article:
The world of Bonsai

Where to buy bonsai tools?

View of a pine bonsai

AliExpress

Its catalog of tools is very wide, and since buyers have the possibility to leave their opinions, it is not difficult to find just what you need ... without leaving home.

Amazon

As in the previous one, on Amazon it is very easy to find what you are looking for. The prices are very competitive, and delivery is fast.

Leroy Merlin

At Leroy They mainly sell bonsai projects (such as bonsai), but also some pots and substrates. If you are a beginner and / or do not have a lot of budget, without a doubt a visit to this shopping center or its online store is highly recommended.

Specialized nurseries

If you have the opportunity to go to a specialized bonsai nursery, you will surely enjoy it. The tools they have on these sites are of quality, although it is true that the price is high If we compare it to what we find elsewhere, but it is worth it.

I hope you have found it useful and you know what bonsai tools you need, but if you have questions, contact us 🙂.


2 comments, leave yours

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  1.   CARLOS said

    excellent quality and photos.
    I am interested in tools

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi carlos.
      We are glad that you liked the article.

      But we are not dedicated to selling. You can get them in amazon for example.

      Greetings.