Water

• Watering is a critical part of bonsai needs. Because of the small amount of soil the plant grows in, it can quickly dry out. On the other hand, that small amount of soil makes it easy to over water and cause damage to the root system. Generally, you should not water your bonsai tree more than once a day and always during morning hours. Do not exceed this watering guideline unless temperatures are extremely hot. Your tenure as a bonsai grower can be cut short quickly if you don't make it a point to find the perfect balance in watering.
  
  

Fertilizer

• Since bonsai trees grow in very small pots, a fertilizer is a good supplement to consider for enhancing growth and development. For bonsais, fertilizer is typically the main source of vital nutrients. You need to invest in two different types of fertilizer for the changing seasons. In the spring, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer aids in healthy growth; the fall months should find you switching over to a fertilizer that does not have quite as much nitrogen.
  
  

Cutting Equipment

• The most active part of owning a bonsai tree is carrying out the traditional practices that make its cultivation so recognizable. The early Japanese bonsai art form is based on cutting and pruning. Traditionally, it is said that spending quiet time carefully cutting the tree's limbs back into aesthetically pleasing positions produces a feeling of well being and mental clarity. For pruning your bonsai, you should invest in cutting shears, and a simple, regular pair of scissors. There are other more advanced cutting tools you may want to buy once you have mastered the basics. These include trunk splitters and concave cutters.
  
  

Wire

• Aside from actually cutting your bonsai tree in a desired shape, you can also mold it through the use of wires. This works by wiring limbs into particular positions. You may not see immediate results from this, but the wire guides the growth direction of the limbs and over time will shape your tree. Most growers of bonsai trees choose to use wire in conjunction with pruning practices. In addition to wire, you will also need to buy some wire cutters. You can purchase both the wire and the cutters in hardware stores or garden supply shops.