Bonsai trees are a fascinating and ancient gardening tradition. Trees that are kept tiny and carefully cared for in small pots can bring a real level of intrigue and beauty to the home. Is it possible to grow underwater bonsai trees though? Keep reading to learn more aquatic bonsai information, including how to grow aqua bonsai.
Bonsai Aquarium Plants
What is an aqua bonsai? That really depends. It is theoretically possible to grow underwater bonsai trees, or at least bonsai trees with their roots submerged in water rather than soil. This is called hydroponic growing, and it has been done successfully with bonsai trees.
There are a few important things to keep in mind if you’re attempting this.
- First of all, the water must be changed regularly to prevent rotting and the buildup of algae.
- Secondly, plain old tap water won’t do. Liquid nutrient supplements will have to be added with each water change to ensure the tree gets all the food it needs. The water and nutrients should be changed about once per week.
- Thirdly, the trees need to be gradually adjusted if they’ve been started in soil to allow new roots to form and become used to life submerged in water.
How to Grow Aqua Bonsai Trees
Growing bonsai trees isn’t easy and growing them in water is even trickier. Often, when bonsai trees die, it’s because their roots become waterlogged.
If you’d like the effect of underwater bonsai trees without the hassle and danger, consider constructing faux bonsai aquarium plants out of other plants that thrive underwater.
Driftwood can make a very attractive “trunk” to be topped with any number of aquatic plants to make for a magical and easy-to-care-for underwater bonsai environment. Dwarf baby tears and java moss are both excellent underwater plants for creating this tree-like look.