Aqua Bonsai

[Meylox]

Hi,

So i have a few questions, i am new to the art of bonsai, and just saw this video on Youtube:

Can someone tell me where i can buy the kind of containers he is using around 3:17?

And second of all, would it be possible to grow a bonsai in an aquarium and have the fish swim underneath it? Because fish poop is a fertilizer and if the tree doesnt cover the whole aquarium there should me enough oxigin?

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

I have been watering my indoor with fishtank water regularly.

Fan.

Sorce

 

[Dzhokar]

Not mine btw.

 

[Kdavis1109]

I thought over watering killed bonsai trees so how does one submerge the entire root system and it live? I'm loosing trust in the internet...

 

[Dzhokar]

I think what actually kills the trees in an over watering situation is suffocation, then the dying roots get infected and start rotting and it starts spiraling out of control.
But some trees are more amenable to a bog like environment or even full root submersion. Such as willows, mangroves, cypress, maybe even some ficus.
Not an expert here but I think these species can put out specialized roots for full submersion.
So if there is enough oxygen and nutrients in the water, such as in a planted aquarium, they are happy and grow.
Same deal as with hydroponics.
And I suspect that they are using these methods to keep those trees happy.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

This juniper is happy floating, and has been for two years now.

But.. I've never seen one of those aqua bonsai in real life. And on the web I haven't seen a single one that has been in water for over a year. Houseplants? Sure. Bonsai? Not really.

Algae would be a real issue.. And you can keep those away by using a dark container, but you can't see water through a dark container, so it wouldn't make sense to use water then anyways.

It's a gimmick in my book, and a temporary one too.

 

[Dzhokar]

Actually, you can control algae growth by controlling the nutrients in the water.
So the strategy would be that you only feed what the tree consumes in the time period between water changes.
Agree that it's gimmicky though. And you'd probably only be able to sustain what you start with in that growing environment.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I think at this point you would want to look into terrariums and ecosphere builds instead of bonsai.

 

[Meylox]

but if you for example put fish in the water, wouldnt they eat the algae?

 

[Meylox]

I think at this point you would want to look into terrariums and ecosphere builds instead of bonsai.

If i wanted to do that i wouldnt post it on a bonsai forum Just wanted to know if it was possible

 

[Dzhokar]

but if you for example put fish in the water, wouldnt they eat the algae?

There are fish that eat some kinds of algae, but there are many different types of algae.
In a tiny bowl like that it wouldn't be viable.
My best guess as to what they are doing is changing the water weekly with a precise nutrient ratio.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Actually, you can control algae growth by controlling the nutrients in the water.
So the strategy would be that you only feed what the tree consumes in the time period between water changes.
Agree that it's gimmicky though. And you'd probably only be able to sustain what you start with in that growing environment.

That's not just a strategy, that's a science! I'd love to see this work, but realistically, I know algae grow faster than any tree can take up nutrients.
You'd need at least a sensor or three, a computer, a dosage system and some kind of system that knows how much your plant has grown and how much nutrients it's using per given time (processing weather data is a must).
I've designed bioreactors in the past, so this is a thing I can be enthusiastic about. But I just don't see it working on a small scale for a longer period of time.
I am willing to be convinced though! But I haven't seen a system that has been operational for a longer period. I know there is one Japanese scientist who managed to get a pine to thrive/live in a fully enclosed system, but I'm not sure if that system is still operational. At some point, the moss is going to creep up the glass. I wonder how they're going to fix that.


A couple months ago I was bored, and I made an underwater bonsai from some alu wire and used Java Moss as foliage. It looked pretty nice until it died.
I think aquascaping some deadwood will be more rewarding (and cost waaaay less) than 'water bonsai'.

Underwater Bonsai Tree by Makoto Azuma

"Water and Bonsai" by Makoto Azuma is an underwater bonsai tree that the artist made out of a dead bonsai tree and living aquatic moss. The sculpture is

laughingsquid.com

 

[Dzhokar]

I know algae grow faster than any tree can take up nutrients.

You could be right. My only experience is with aquatic plants which are specialized for that environment. So, dosed properly, the plants do out compete the algae.
I want to think the same would be true for an "aqua bonsai" but can't be sure unless I do it... which I have no interest in doing lol

I've seen a number of aquascapes emulating a bonsai tree. The upkeep is very intensive and time consuming.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

If i wanted to do that i wouldnt post it on a bonsai forum Just wanted to know if it was possible

I think, possibly, that what you're asking is more geared towards terrarium builds and ecosphere / paladarium builds due to the mixture of plants, water, living creatures, etc.

Hence my recommendation.