Article by Andrew Kozlowski
The word bonsai literally translates into “tree in a pot or tray.” The art of bonsai originated in China thousands of years ago, linked initially to Taoism and then to Buddhism. The Chinese containerized and dwarfed living trees within miniature landscapes and gardens. Bonsai art migrated to Japan via Korea with the Zen Buddhists and grew to be more and more popular, first among monks and aristocrats, and then on a broader scale. Now, bonsai trees are cultivated all over the world.
While bonsai artists favor certain tree species, more than 100 different trees, flowering plants, and shrubs can be trained into bonsai. Depending on the species, bonsai can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Some good outdoor bonsai species to start with include Japanese maple, elm, ginkgo, juniper, and boxwood.
Bonsai grown indoors require more attention and babying. Tropical and sub-tropical species such as Hawaiian umbrella tree, baby jade and brush cherry are good indoor trees to start with.
All bonsai trees need good morning light, a consistent level of humidity, and proper watering. Indoors trees often do well when placed near a sunny window, and a humidifier can help keep the air inside moist.
Overwatering is a common problem among beginning bonsai enthusiasts; whether indoors or outdoors, the soil in your bonsai’s pot should be moist, never completely dry to the touch nor soggy and wet. And like any other plant, a bonsai tree needs to be fed with the right fertilizer. Check with a bonsai nursery or garden store to learn which fertilizer is right for your tree.
When selecting your first bonsai, it’s best to go to a nursery that specializes in bonsai trees so that an expert can answer your questions. The plants at a nursery are usually better cared for and healthier than those found at a big box store’s garden center. To make sure you end up with a healthy tree, look for shiny, vibrant leaves or needles, as shriveled or yellowish foliage can be a sign of pests or disease. Make sure there are no brown spots on leaves or branches.
The right container for your bonsai tree is as important as the tree itself. Typically, evergreens such as cedars and pines are showcased in unglazed ceramic pots in neutral or earthy colors, while deciduous trees can be placed in glazed or unglazed pots. The color of the container should complement the colors of the bonsai’s leaves or flowers; for example, a deep blue pot would highlight a maple’s brilliant red and orange foliage. A flowering pink bonsai might look best in a yellow or green pot.
There are several traditional styles for bonsai trees; formal upright, informal upright, slanted, cascade, and broom are the most common styles. Each of these styles imitates what a tree might look like in a natural setting: blown by the wind, for example, or sweeping down the side of a mountain. Different species will work well with each different style.
In order to shape a bonsai, specific tools are required. Some of the most basic bonsai tools include a pair of long-handled shears, bud scissors, pliers, wire cutters, a root rake, and a concave cutter. To train a tree to grow into the desired shape, you will need to use copper wire to anchor the trunk to the roots or container, and then gently bend the branches by wrapping them with wire, encouraging them to slant or curve.
Bonsai trees need careful trimming and pruning, especially during times of new growth when shoots and buds must be trimmed back to maintain the tree’s shape. It is also important to re-pot a bonsai each year or so, depending on how fast the tree is growing. If you don’t re-pot, the roots may grow too long, and the bonsai can become “pot bound.” When re-potting, it’s important to trim the roots and re-pot the tree into properly prepared, damp soil in a container with good drainage.
While many first-time bonsai gardeners choose to purchase their trees from a nursery, many bonsai aficionados enjoy growing their bonsai from scratch. There are several ways to grow a bonsai, but all of them take a good deal of time and patience. You can buy a seedling from a nursery and let it develop to the point where you can begin training it into a bonsai, or you can buy seeds, let them germinate, and then cultivate your young tree until it’s ready to be shaped. Another means of propagation is to take a cutting from a “parent” tree, plant it, and nurture it along. Many enthusiasts like growing from cuttings as they can duplicate the parent tree’s genes and characteristics. Other more complex means of growing a bonsai include grafting-adding a new branch or root to an existing tree-or layering, which involves injuring the bark of a parent tree and then helping the callus (injured part) to develop a new bud and roots of its own.
Growing and training a bonsai tree is truly an art, and it can result in a beautiful addition to your home or garden!
Want to learn more about bonsai care? Visit my website at http://www.bonsaitreeanswers.com to learn all about how to buy, grow, and care for beautiful, healthy bonsai trees.
About the Author
Andrew Kozlowski is a naturalist, amateur botanist, and author of articles and books on topics ranging from plant care and gardening to home downsizing. For more than 20 years Andrew has managed environmental programs in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America. He resides in San Francisco.
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