Indoor bonsai trees

Maintenance pruning on indoor bonsai trees is done during growing periods, between April and July. You can do it between 1 and 3 times, depending on how fast your bonsai tree is growing.

Cut the branches that grew out of the structure, just above a leaf. Cut any branches that would have grown from the trunk at un undesired location for the shape of your bonsai tree.

Doing maintenance pruning regularly will benefit your bonsai. A tree has a natural tendency of growing its upper part more than its lower part, to make sure that it will always dominate adjacent tree and will not found itself in a dominated position having to fight for light. By doing maintenance pruning, you force the tree to allocate some of its resources to the lower part as well, by limiting its general growth, which will give a more aesthetic general aspect to your bonsai tree.

Outdoor bonsai trees

Maintenance pruning on outdoor bonsai trees is done in two steps: leaves pinching in April, and pruning in winter between November and March.

Pinching is the process of removing leaves with your fingers, instead of cutting them with shears. This process will help your bonsai in developing more branches.

Between April and June, cut the branches just above a leaf to remove any unwanted branches. Remove deadwood as well, if your tree has any. This will create more space for the living branches to find light.

Pines and conifers

Pine and conifers will also need a pinching in April, and pruning between April and June.

Pines and conifers growth is very slow, and needs to be boosted. Pinch about a third of the candles to force the tree to produce new buds. Look for the gap on the candle (where there is almost no needle) and cut before this gap. Then clean the needles after the cut and save only 6 to 8 pairs of needles.