How to Grow and Care for a Bonsai Tree Posted: 19 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT Bon sai is an art that has been practiced in Asia for many centuries. Bonsai trees are grown from the same seeds as trees that grow to full size. They are grown in small containers and trimmed and trained so that they remain small and elegant. Learn how to grow a bonsai tree, train it in one of the traditional bonsai styles, and care for it so that it stays healthy for many years to come. EditPicking Out a Bonsai Tree - Select a tree species. The type of tree you grow should be reliant on the environment where you'll be keeping it. Your region's climate and your home environment should both be taken into account when you're deciding which species of tree to grow. To be on the safe side, select a species that is indigenous to your part of the world.
- Deciduous species such as Chinese or Japanese elms, magnolias, oaks, and crabapple trees are good selections if you'd like to grow your bonsai outside. Just be sure to pick out a species that can grow to full size in your region.[1]
- If you prefer coniferous trees, junipers, pines, spruces, or cedars all make excellent choices.
- If you want to grow a tree indoors (or if you live in a hot climate), consider a tropical species. Jade, snowrose, and olive trees may be grown as bonsais.
- Decide whether to plant the tree from seed. Planting a bonsai tree from seed is a slow but rewarding process. If you plant a tree, you'll have to allow it time to take root and grow strong before you can begin trimming and training. Depending on the species of tree you grow, this could take up to five years.[2] Many find the extra wait and effort to be worth it since seeds are so inexpensive and the grower is able to control the tree at every stage of growth. To grow a bonsai from seed, take the following steps:
- Buy a package of bonsai tree seeds. Soak them overnight before planting them in soil with good drainage and the right nutrient composition for your tree species. Plant the tree in a training container (as opposed to a ceramic display container, which is only used once the tree has been trained and reached maturity).
- Give the planted tree the correct amount of sun, water, and a consistent temperature, again dictated by the specific species of tree.
- Allow the tree to become sturdy and strong before you begin to train it.
- Consider foraging for a bonsai tree. This method of acquiring a bonsai tree is highly valued, since caring for a bonsai tree you find in the wild requires a lot of skill and knowledge. If collecting a tree that has had its start in nature appeals to you, consider the following factors:
- Select a tree with a sturdy trunk, but one that is still quite young. Older trees won't adapt well to being placed in a container.
- Choose a tree with roots that spread evenly in every direction, rather than growing laterally or entangled with the roots of other trees.
- Dig around the tree and extract a large amount of soil along with the roots. This will prevent the tree from dying of shock when it is moved to a container.[3]
- Plant the tree in a large training container. Care for it according to the needs of the particular species. Wait about a year for the roots to get used to the container before you begin training it.
- Choose from among trees that have already been partially trained. This is the easiest way to begin the art of bonsai, but it is also the most expensive. Bonsai trees that have been grown from seed and partially trained have already received a lot of time and care, so they are usually quite pricey. Look online and in local nurseries and plant shops for a bonsai tree to bring home with you.
- If you buy a partially-trained bonsai from a shop, talk with the person who trained it about its specific needs.
- When you bring the bonsai home, give it a few weeks to adjust to the new setting before you begin working with it.
EditKeeping a Bonsai Tree Healthy - Pay attention to the seasons. Bonsai trees, like all trees and plants, react to the change in seasons. If you're keeping a bonsai tree outside, it will have an even stronger reaction to the change in temperature, sunlight, and the amount of rainfall in the region. In some regions there are four distinct seasons, and in others the seasonal changes are more subtle. In any case, understand the way your tree species reacts to the seasons in your region, and let that information guide the way you care for it.
- Trees lay dormant during the winter; they aren't producing leaves or growing, so they don't use as much nutrition. During this season, watering the tree is about the only care it needs. Avoid trimming it too much, since it won't be able to replace the depleted nutrients until spring.
- In spring, trees begin using the nutrients they stored during the winter to sprout new leaves and grow. Since your tree is in transition during this time of year, it's a good time to repot the plant (adding extra nutrients to the soil) and begin trimming.
- Trees continue to grow during the summer, using up the rest of their stored nutrients. Be sure to water yours well during this period of time.
- In the fall, tree growth slows, and the nutrients begin accumulating again. This is a good time for both trimming and repotting.
- Give the tree morning sun and afternoon shade. Your bonsai tree's light needs depends on the species and your climate, but most will thrive in a location that receives morning sun. Turn the tree 90 degrees every few days so all of the tree foliage can receive an equal amount of light.[4]
- Indoor trees may need a light shade cloth over the window during hot, bright summer months.
- Protect the tree from extreme temperatures. During the summer, it's fine for the tree to spend the majority of time outside. Bring it inside overnight when temperatures dip below about . In preparation for the winter, get your tree acclimated to spending more time indoors by moving it inside for a few hours at a time, and increasing the time it spends indoors every day until you bring it inside entirely.
- Provide food and water. Fertilize the tree with a special fertilizer meant to keep bonsai trees healthy. When the soil begins to look dusty or dry, water the bonsai. The exact watering frequency depends on the tree species and the season. You may need to provide a little water every day during the summer, but only water once every few days during cold winter months.
EditTraining a Bonsai Tree - Choose a training style. There are several traditional training styles that you can choose for your tree. Some are meant to resemble a tree in nature, while others are more stylistic. There are dozens of bonsai styles to choose from, although the training container you use may limit your options.[5] Here are some of the most popular:
- Chokkan. This is the formal upright form; think of a tree growing strong and straight with branches that stretch evenly around it.
- Moyohgi. This is the informal upright form; the tree has a more natural slant, rather than growing straight upward.
- Shakan. This is the slanting form - the tree looks windblown and striking.
- Bunjingi. This is the literati form. The trunk is often long and twisted, with minimal branches.
- Train the trunk and branches. "Training" the young bonsai tree involves gentle bending of the trunk and branches to guide their growth. Wrap the tree in wire to hold it in this position, as described here:
- Use annealed copper wire for coniferous trees, and aluminum wire for deciduous trees.[6] You'll need heavier gauge wire toward the bottom of the trunk, and finer wire for the branches.
- Firmly anchor the wire by wrapping it around a limb once or twice. Do not wrap too tightly, which can damage the tree.
- Wrap the wire at a 45-degree angle, using one hand to steady the tree while you work.
- Trees have different wiring needs depending on the time of year and whether they have just been repotted.[7]
- As time goes on and the tree grows and begins to take on the shape you have designed, you'll have to rewire the tree and continue to train it until it holds the shape you want without the help of wire.
- Prune and trim the tree. Use a small pruning tool to strategically clip off leaves, buds, and parts of branches to help the tree grow a certain way. Each time you prune, growth is stimulated on another part of the tree. Knowing where to prune and how often is part of the art of bonsai, and learning how to do it takes a lot of practice.[8]
- When you transfer from a larger container to a smaller one, trim the roots to the shape of the pot. Don't prune the roots until the trunk has reached the desired size.
- Prune in the summer to direct new growth. If you need to remove an entire limb, wait until autumn when the tree is less active. Do maintenance pruning to remove dead branches in late winter or early spring.
- Over-pruning a tree can cause damage, so be careful not to clip away too much.
EditDisplaying a Bonsai Tree - Move the tree to a display container. When you deem the tree's shape to be finished, it's time to move it away from the training container. Beautiful ceramic and wooden containers are available for you to display your bonsai to best effect. Choose one that complements the bonsai style you have created. Be sure to repot it carefully so that the roots are not damaged, and use a container big enough to hold the amount of soil (and nutrients) that are necessary for the tree to stay healthy.
- Choose a container that is as long as your tree is tall. The thicker the trunk of your tree, the deeper the container should be.[9]
- Consider adding other features to the container. While the bonsai should be the star of the show, adding a few additional elements can add to the beauty of your bonsai display. Stones and rocks, shells, and tiny plants can be used to make the tree look as though it is part of a forest or beach scene.
- Be sure not to crowd the roots with stones or other objects.
- Adding some moss is a great way to create an intriguing display.
- Place the bonsai on a display stand. A beautiful bonsai deserves to be displayed like any other work of art. Choose a wooden or metal display stand and place it against a blank wall, so that the bonsai will stand out. Placing it near a window is a good idea since the bonsai will continue to need sunlight while it's on display. Continue watering, fertilizing, and caring for the bonsai, and your work of art will stay alive for many years.
- Trimming the tree is what causes it to stay small. Otherwise, it will outgrow its container.
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How to Talk to a Girl You Like for the First Time Posted: 19 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT Maybe you have seen a girl around, and you have been dreaming about talking to her. It can definitely be a little nerve-wracking the first time you do it, but when you do, you open up the possibility of her liking you back! Start by looking at her body language to figure out when to approach her. Then, use a question or statement to open up the conversation. EditBreaking the Ice - Calm yourself down with deep breaths if you're feeling a little anxious. It's natural to get butterflies before you go and talk to someone you like! If you're nervous, try taking deep breaths. Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose to the count of 4. Hold it for 4 counts, then breathe out to the count of 4. Make sure you're taking deep breaths from your abdomen area. Do this breathing exercise a few times to help calm your nerves.[1]
- You can also take a few minutes to bolster yourself. Tell yourself you can do this! Also, put in perspective. What's the worst that could happen? If she doesn't want to talk to you, it will hurt, but it won't be the end of the world.
- Just say something to get the conversation going. The longer you wait to say something, the more likely you won't do it. You don't necessarily have to say anything brilliant! You just need to get the conversation going. Even a simple "Hi!" can do it.[2]
- You could also try saying something playful, like "I need help! I just can't make up mind. It's killing me. Should I get the chocolate chip cookie or the brownie??"
- Request something from her to encourage her to like you. No, don't go up and ask her for $100. Rather, ask her for a small favor. It seems weird, but when you ask someone for a favor, they want to give it to you. In fact, it tends to make them like you more.[3]
- Keep it simple, like "Could you pass the salt?" or "Would you mind handing me that creamer?"
- Make a comment about something you have in common to spark her interest. Believe it or not, you have something in common with everyone you meet! You just have to look around you and figure out what it is. Find something you can use to start a conversation. It doesn't have to be anything big.[4]
- For instance, if you're in school, you could say, "That test was a killer, wasn't it?"
- If you're at a coffee shop, you might say, "It's certainly cold enough outside!" or "This music is interesting, don't you think?" You could also try, "There's nothing like a warm cup of coffee on a cold day, is there?"
- Continue the conversation by responding to her statements. You'll need to go back and forth when talking to the girl you like! If she says something in response to your statement or question asking for a favor, talk back to her. Try to keep the topics happy and cheerful, as this is your first meeting.[5]
- For instance, she might say, "Yes, coffee is the best! It warms me up from the inside!" You could say, "I know! What's your favorite type of coffee drink?"
- Stay confident to show you're interested. When you're having a conversation with a girl for the first time, you may start to second-guess yourself or read things she's saying in a negative way. If you can, try to combat these thoughts. Keep smiling and asking questions. Stand up tall and speak in a clear voice.[6]
- Most people find confidence attractive. Even if you're not feeling confident, faking confidence is often enough. Plus, faking it with body language will make you feel more confident!
EditWatching for Body Language Cues - Smile at her and see if she returns it. A smile is a good indication she may want to talk to you. Flashing her a smile indicates you're happy to see her. If she gives you one back, you may want to approach her.[7]
- Look at her eyes to see if her smile seems real. If a smile is genuine, it will reach all the way to her eyes, and you'll be able to tell. If she's just being polite and smiling at you, the smile will look a little fake instead.[8]
- Check to see if the smile lifts her cheeks and crinkles her eyes, which is a sign it's genuine.
- See if she holds your gaze for a moment. Don't try to stare her down! However, if you catch her gaze, hold it for a few seconds while you smile at her. If she holds it, too, she may be showing signs of interest in you.[9]
- Watch for other signs of positive body language. Positive body language indicates she may be open to talking to you. You may notice she points her body your direction or that she uncrosses her arms or legs. She might play with her hair or fidget with her clothing.[10]
- Alternatively, if you see negative body language, you may want to wait to approach her. Signs of negative body language include her crossing her limbs, turning away from you, frowning, holding her body stiffly, or looking off to the side.
- Wait for another opportunity if she looks like she's having a bad day. If she's upset or looking sad, wait for another day. You're trying to approach her because you like her, but she's probably not in the frame of mine to reciprocate when she's in a bad mood.[11]
- Similarly, if she looks like she's hard at work on something, it's not the best time to approach.
EditMoving Forward with the Conversation - Listen to what she has to say. Any conversation is about give and take. Make sure to focus on what the person is actually saying so that you can respond to her. If you're not listening to her, the conversation will end quickly![12]
- No one likes to hear someone go on and on about themselves for 30 minutes. Encourage her to talk about herself instead!
- Use open-ended questions to continue the conversation. An open-ended question is just one that makes her give an answer besides "yes" or "no." It lets her talk about herself, which she'll likely be happy to do as long as she's not too shy.[13]
- For example, instead of asking, "Do you like rock music?" you could ask, "What's your favorite kind of music?"
- If she gives a short answer, ask a follow-up question, like "Who's your favorite pop singer?"
- Talk about yourself some. If she asks you questions, answer them honestly. While you don't want to drone on about yourself, the conversation should go back and forth. If you're not willing to talk about yourself at all, she may wonder what's wrong with you.[14]
- End the conversation on a positive note. If things are going well, try to set up something for another time. For instance, you could ask for her number so you could text or call, or you could ask for her social media handles so you can contact her that way.
- You could also open up the possibility for hanging out some other time. For instance, you might say, "Hey, you feel like getting coffee sometime?"
- Leave her alone if she doesn't want to talk. While it can make you sad or depressed if a girl doesn't want to talk to you, you still have to respect what she wants. If she doesn't want to have a conversation or doesn't want to go out with you, say "Thanks anyway!" and walk away.[15]
- It can be painful, but don't take it personally. You don't know what's going on in her head right now. She might just be too worried about her grade right now to think about going out with anyone.
EditConversation Help - If you're anxious at first, talk to her around other people until you feel comfortable talking to her by yourself. Be confident!
- If you really like that girl, try being friends with her first.
- Remember that each girl is different; no set of questions will work on every girl! Just be yourself and hope she likes you in return.
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How to Make Your Own Vinegar Posted: 19 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT While it's easy to go to the store and buy a bottle of vinegar, it can be very satisfying—and tasty!—to make it yourself. All you need is a clean jar, some alcohol, a "mother" (the starter for the fermentation process), and at least 2 months to allow the "mother" to work. Once you've mastered a general-purpose vinegar recipe that can be used with practically any type of alcoholic beverage, you can move on to more specialized recipes for wine vinegar, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or—if you are willing to wait at least 12 years—balsamic vinegar. EditIngredients - Vinegar starter ("mother"), either store-bought or homemade
- of wine and of distilled water
OR - of beer or hard cider (at least 5% ABV)
EditAdding Alcohol to the Prepared Jar - Clean a wide-mouth glass jar with soap and water. You can use ceramic crocks or even old wine bottles to make vinegar, but wide-mouth glass jars are easy to find and easy to work with. Remove the lid and ring (you won't need them here), then thoroughly wash and rinse the jar with dish soap and warm, clean water.[1]
- If you want to make a smaller batch of vinegar, use a jar and reduce the amount of alcohol (and any water) you add to it by half.
- Sterilize the inside of the jar with boiling water. Boil a pot of water, place the jar in the sink, and carefully fill the jar with boiling water. Pour out the water once you can safely handle the jar—it will take at least 5 minutes to cool enough to touch.[2]
- Make sure the jar isn't cold when you pour the boiling water into it—the rapid change in temperature could cause the jar to shatter. Rinse the jar with hot tap water to warm it up, if necessary.
- This method won't sterilize a jar to the extent required for safely canning or preserving food. It is, however, adequate sterilization for making vinegar.
- Pour in each of wine and water for wine vinegar. In basic terms, vinegar is created by bacteria that turn alcohol (ethanol) into acetic acid. This process is most effective if the liquid is 5%-15% alcohol by volume (ABV), although 9%-12% is ideal. Most wine has an ABV of around 12%-14%, and combining it with water at a 1:1 ratio—that is, each—provides a nice finished flavor balance and acidity level.[3]
- Use distilled water, not tap water, to reduce the chance of developing any off flavors.
- For less sharpness of flavor in the finished product, use of wine and of water. For more sharpness, add the wine in a 2:1 ratio.
- You can use white or red wine in any variety you prefer. However, use wine that does not contain sulfites (check the label).
- Add of beer or hard cider as a wine alternative. You can make vinegar out of any alcoholic beverage that has an ABV of at least 5%. Check the label on your beer or cider to make sure it meets this threshold, then add it without diluting it with water.[4]
- You could use other types of alcohol with higher ABVs as well, so long as you dilute it with water in order to reduce the ABV to 15% or less.
EditAdding the "Mother" and Storing the Jar - Place or pour a store-bought "mother" into the jar. The "mother" contains the bacteria needed to begin the process of turning ethanol into acetic acid. It sometimes forms in opened bottles of wine, and looks like a slimy blob floating on the surface. You can buy "mother" (sometimes marketed as "vinegar starter") in this gelatinous form, or as a liquid—look for it in homebrew or natural foods stores, or online.[5]
- If you're adding gelatinous "mother" from a store, follow the package instructions regarding the amount to add—you'll just spoon it on top of the alcohol in your jar.
- For liquid vinegar starter, pour in , unless otherwise noted on the package.
- Use a homemade "mother" instead if you've saved it from prior vinegar making. The "mother" reforms every time you make a batch of vinegar. So, if you've made vinegar before, or have a friend who has, you can use the "mother" that formed in a previous batch. Just spoon it out and put it into your new jar.[6]
- You can repeat this process over and over again for years, if desired.
- It's fine to use a "mother" from one type of vinegar (e.g., wine) to start another (e.g., cider).
- Seal the jar with a rubber band and cheesecloth or a paper towel. Simply lay the paper towel or cheesecloth over the top of the jar, then stretch a rubber band over the mouth of the jar. You need to cover the jar with a permeable material so that fresh air can circulate inside.[7]
- Don't leave the jar uncovered. Dust or dirt may get in, and there's a good chance you'll end up with a bunch of drowned fruit flies floating in your vinegar!
- Place the jar in a dark, airy, temperate place for 2 months. Find a shelf on your pantry or similar location that's fairly dark and gets decent air circulation. The conversion into vinegar will occur at temperatures between , but is the ideal range—so pick out a warm spot if possible.[8]
- If you can't find a dark spot, wrap the jar in a thick kitchen towel—but don't cover the cheesecloth or paper towel lid.
- Don't shake, stir, or (if possible) move the jar during the initial 2 month waiting period. This will make it easier for the "mother" to form and do its work.
- You'll notice the scent of vinegar and possibly some more funky smells coming from the jar during the 2 months. Ignore this and leave it alone for 2 months.
EditTasting and Bottling Your Vinegar - Siphon out some vinegar with a straw after 2 months. Take off the rubber band and lid cover, then stick a straw down into the liquid without disturbing the gelatinous "mother" floating on the surface. Press your thumb against the open end of the straw to trap some vinegar inside the straw. Remove the straw from the jar, place the straw into a small glass, and let go with your thumb to discharge the vinegar into the glass.[9]
- You can use a disposable plastic straw or a reusable straw for this task.
- Taste the siphoned vinegar, and give the batch more time as needed. Take a small sip of the vinegar. If it is either too weak (because the fermentation process hasn't proceeded enough) or too sharp and intense (because vinegar mellows over time), re-cover it and give it another 2 weeks to ferment.[10]
- Keep tasting the vinegar every 1-2 weeks until it meets your approval.
- Spoon out the "mother" if you want to reuse it in a new vinegar batch. Carefully remove the gelatinous blob floating on the surface of your finished vinegar, and transfer it to a new jar of starter liquid (for instance, equal parts of wine and water). This way, you can continuously churn out new batches of homemade vinegar![11]
- Alternatively, you can slowly pour out nearly all of the vinegar in your jar, leaving just a small amount in the bottom with the "mother" still floating in it. Then, refill the jar with more alcohol and start a new batch in this original jar.[12]
- Pasteurize the vinegar so it will keep indefinitely. After removing the "mother" from the fermenting jar (or leaving it behind in the jar), pour the vinegar into a medium saucepan. Place it on the stove over medium-low heat and use a probe thermometer to check the temperature. When the temperature is over but less than , remove the pot from the heat and let the vinegar cool to room temperature.
- This process of pasteurizing the vinegar will enable it to be stored indefinitely at room temperature and low light in a glass container.[13]
- You can skip pasteurizing the vinegar if you wish, and it will still probably store for months or even possibly years without any noticeable decline in quality or flavor. But this quick step is worth the effort to ensure the long-term quality of your homemade vinegar.
- Bottle the finished vinegar through a filter and funnel. Place an unbleached coffee filter into a funnel, then place the funnel into the mouth of a clean, sterilized glass bottle—old wine bottles work well. Slowly pour the vinegar through the strainer and into the bottle. Seal the bottle with a cork or a screw-top lid.[14]
- Clean the bottle with soap and water, then pour in boiling water and leave it for 5-10 minutes to sterilize it.
- Affix a tag to the bottle that identifies the type of alcohol that was used and the amount of time the vinegar was left to ferment. This is especially helpful if you're giving the vinegar as a gift or are stockpiling a personal collection!
- Don't use homemade vinegar for canning, preserving, or room temperature storage. Homemade vinegar is great to use in salad dressings and marinades, and for other uses when it will either be cooked or refrigerated. However, since the acidity (pH level) can vary widely, it is not safe for use in canning or preserving foods at room temperature.[15]
- If the acidity level is too low, the vinegar won't ward off potentially harmful pathogens like e. coli in the food you're trying to preserve.
- This holds true even if you pasteurized the vinegar. It is, however, fine to store the vinegar itself at room temperature (pasteurized or not) in a dark, room temperature or cooler place.
EditRecipe Variations - Try maple vinegar for a unique flavor profile. For your of starter liquid, combine of pure maple syrup, of dark rum, and of distilled water. Follow the general-purpose vinegar recipe as described in the main body of this article.[16]
- Maple vinegar has a unique, rich flavor that works well drizzled over roasted squash or roasted chicken.
- Skip the alcohol altogether to make basic apple cider vinegar. Grind up about of apples in a food processor, then squeeze the pulp in cheesecloth to extract the necessary of starter liquid. Alternatively, you can use an organic, 100% apple juice or cider. Follow the recipe provided in the main body of this article.[17]
- Although this recipe contains no alcohol in the starter liquid, the sugars in the apple juice will provide enough food for the "mother" to do its work. It may take slightly longer to ferment into a vinegar that suits your taste, however.
- Give honey vinegar a try as another alcohol-free alternative. Boil of distilled water and pour it over of honey. Stir them together until they are fully combined, and let the mixture cool to slightly above room temperature (but below ). Then, use it in this article's general-purpose recipe.[18]
- As with vinegar made with apple juice, the sugars in the honey will be sufficient to feed the "mother" and support the fermentation process.
EditThings You'll Need - glass jar
- Cheesecloth or paper towel
- Rubber band
- Plastic or reusable straw
- Medium saucepan
- Probe thermometer
- Empty, clean wine bottle with stopper
- Funnel
- Unbleached coffee filter
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