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Learn how to create and care for bonsai in Manitoba.

The Bonsai Society of Winnipeg presents an introductory course on Bonsai. More...

Indoor Trees

Tropical trees can be grown indoors if you have a well lit area in your home, with reasonable means to keep humidity levels high in winter. Popular species include ficus (species with naturally smaller leaves), serissa, fuschia, myrtle, pomegranate, bougainvillea, jade, fukien tea. All trees are best kept outdoors in the summer, some in shade, some in full sun.

If you live in an apartment without a balcony, tropicals will be best for you. Look for tropical species that require moderate light and humidity and are as easy to keep as houseplants. Ficus varieties make good bonsai under these conditions.

During our long winter, tropicals do best under grow lights. The best light sources are metal halide and fluorescent bulbs. Bright window sills facing south or west will provide enough light for many species. An east window in a cool room or a north window can provide a cool area to site the sub tropicals for their rest period. In all cases, humidity levels can be maintained by daily misting and/or keeping the tree above, not in, a tray filled with water and gravel.

Moving Tropical Trees Outdoors

Tropicals must be hardened off in the spring before moving outdoors for the summer. Hardening off means slowly getting the trees slowly accustomed to the outdoors and strong effect of the sun. For the first few days, place the trees outside in full shade but bring them in at night to avoid the cool nights and the unexpected frosts. Slowly introduce the trees to more light over a few more days, bringing them in at night until the danger of a late frost is over. When the nights are warmer you can leave the trees out full time. In early September, as the nights get cold, bring the trees in at night and return outside during the days. Do this until the days become too cold for the trees. Different species will tolerate different temperature ranges. Become familiar with your trees' specific requirements and keep your eye on the weather.

Rest Period for Sub-Tropical Trees

Sub-tropical trees need a cool rest area from September, when you bring them indoors and hold back on fertilizer and light, to December, when they are given more light, warmth and humidity and you start fertilizing again.