A while back, Mike Pfeffer sent me an email asking about the use of Superthrive in his fertilizations scheme and whether it would work or if it was some sort of urban legend. Well, I answered Mike with what I knew about its use and benefits – all from a non scientific point of view.
Mike suggested that an article on urban legends or myths would be interesting and perhaps have some humor. I started looking at what was published and began putting together this article.

But before we get into the actual myths, what I found on the internet was that some of the so- called myths were not really myths but someone trying to be either funny or just downright dumb. In one internet article, the author states that bonsai myths are similar to computer viruses, they raise their ugly heads, are suppressed, disappear for a few months, and then reappear again and again and again…

As an aside, we all must realize that just because you find something on the internet, doesn’t mean it is true. Perhaps that should be our starting myth. Also, some ‘myths’ are in printed form (either article or book); and, if they have a myth in it, the myth perpetuates for years. But I stray from the actual topic.

Bonsai is cruel to trees
I guess some people believe a plant has feelings!
Sometimes I wish I was a bonsai. Wouldn’t it be nice to be pampered by your owner, watered diligently and fed on a regular basis? Wiring is done to direct growth and, if taken off at the proper time, it doesn’t do any harm to the tree.

Obviously a myth

Bonsai are expensive
I don’t think I need to spend much time on this one.
Bonsai come in all price ranges depending on age, quality, size, etc. Prices range from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Both a myth and true

All Bonsai are ancient trees
When most people, not familiar with the bonsai art, look at a bonsai, the first question they have is usually ‘how old is it’. This gives the bonsai artist a good feeling because he has created a specimen that has done what the art calls for – designed a tree that “look old”.
Of course a lot of bonsai are old, but when an artist can take a tree that is say 10 or so years old and make it appear much older, then he has shown his artistic talent.
Both a myth and true

Bonsai are miniature genetic versions of ‘real’ trees
We all know that this is a myth. However, today, we do use some dwarf varieties in our hobby.
Both a myth and true

Bonsai are indoor plants
Although bonsai are frequently displayed in indoor areas, with very few exceptions, bonsai are outdoor plants. Bonsai need sunshine and air circulation, just like their outdoor cousins.
More bonsai are killed by being brought indoors or left indoors because they are ‘indoor’ trees. A juniper left indoor all year around will certainly die.
Myth

Soil mixtures are very critical
This appeared several places on the net.
In many instances, bonsai are very forgiving. A particular species will survive in a variety of conditions – including soil types. They may not perform at 100%, but they will survive.
By manipulating the soil composition, the tree should do better. For instance, when dealing with deciduous trees, they generally like a soil that contains more organic material.
Particle size of the soil may also be changed to help control the retained moisture.
Both True and a Myth

Never cross or overlap wires when wiring your tree (Crossed wires do more damage than regular wiring)
Crossed wires are unsightly; but, if you have ever wired a tree, you know they are often unavoidable. Will the juncture of the crossed wires hurt the tree any more than where there is no crossing? Looking at the physics behind the crossed wires, I would have to say that it would depend on how tight both of the wires were in relation to the limb they were on. If they were extremely tight, the expanding branch might be subjected to a higher chance of scarring at the point of crossing. However, the areas of the limb that had only one tight wire on it, would be subjected to a similar force and could exhibit the same scarring.
Therefore, when wiring a tree, care must be used in how tight the wires are placed on the tree. If the wires are tight, then frequent observations of the tree are needed.
The category is a myth

Do not leave wire on a tree in summer
I found this in several locations. The “reasoning” was that the summer sun would heat the wire and in some way would either burn or harm the limb of the tree.
I have often handled trees that had been wired when the temperature was close to 100 degrees and the tree had been sitting in the full sun. I have never seen the situation where I couldn’t handle the wire. Both aluminum and copper are good conductors of heat, but they both require a heat source much higher than the sun rays to get to a temperature where the metal would get hot enough to burn the tree.
The only problem with having the wire on the tree at this time of the year is that the limb expands with growth in the summer season and the wire, of course, doesn’t, so it can dig into the branch.
Myth

Never water a tree mid-day in the scorching sun
The reasoning behind this was that water sitting on a leaf it would act as a magnifier and burn the leaf. This is one of my favorites.
Looking first at a water particle, it is rounded, and the sun rays hitting the droplet would be diffracted (bent in various angles), not magnified
If you know anything about thermodynamics, you know that as the water droplet evaporates, the actual temperature around the molecule cools. So if anything, the water droplet on the leaf is a benefit.
Additionally, when you water in the scorching sun, the pot and the associated roots are cooled and this is a benefit to the health of the plant.
Myth

When root or branch pruning, make sure you cut them at an angle
I’m not certain about this one. For roots, I think an angled cut (with application of a rooting hormone) is the way to go since there is a larger surface area for the roots to re-sprout; however, I have no scientific evidence. It should be noted that the root tip may in fact rot back to a spot where the plant has partitioned itself. If there is rotting, then cutting the root straight (thus giving a lower exposed surface area) may be the way to go.
On some materials the roots will not regenerate if the root has been cut back too far. The angle isn’t the critical factor.
For branches, there also doesn’t seem to be a difference. I could see that if the branch was cut at an angle – so that the angle faced upwards – water would enter that exposed area and cause some rotting, but that should be minimal.
What is important, when making a cut on either roots or branches, is that the cutter used must be sharp in order to make a clean cut and not crush the branch or root.
Myth

There is a perfect or ideal tree
Many people believe the pine is the perfect tree, while others feel the same about the juniper and maple.
There is no perfect tree. The way the tree is designed is probably the most important aspect in bonsai. Each plant, whether pine, juniper or any other species, has what I would call an ‘ideal’ design. This is due to where the limbs are (naturally) placed. A pine bush in the informal upright design may look more impressive than a maple in the same design simply because the pine generally has more foliage than a maple and therefore “looks” more impressive. However, the pine designed in the broom style (if that’s possible) would not be as impressive as the maple in the broom style.
Myth

A bonsai eventually reaches completion
When I first saw this one, I quickly passed it up but when I saw it in another place, I decided to visit this idea.
During the life of the tree, the bonsai is never truly “finished” in the sense of a painting or sculpture reaching completion. The tree will continue to develop and grow until it eventually dies.
Some people may believe the tree is “finished” or completed when they get the tree in the form or shape they want. If this were true, when we get a tree in a workshop, the tree could be in a form that we want and therefore could be considered completed. Of course we know that is not the case.
Myth

My bonsai died/I can’t grow bonsai
How many times have we all heard this one? Of course, there are some people who have a “black” thumb, but they are the exception rather than the rule
Myth
Bonsai is difficult to learn
I saved this to last because I know many new people believe it’s true. After they purchase a ‘bonsai’ from one of the big box stores (which has gravel glued to the top of the soil), continually keep it indoors, water it once a week, and watch it die, they obviously believe the hobby is difficult. If these new people are given the guidance needed, they generally change their opinion. [Something we should all consider when we have a beginner’s workshop!] There are a lot of things to learn in bonsai, and some trees are more difficult than others but it isn’t too difficult.
Myth

In conclusion, just because you see something on the net or even in a book, don’t believe it is true. It just could be a simple myth.