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A Brief Introduction to Bonsai|

Bonsai means plant in a pot in Japanese, this is from the two words bon and sai. Bonsai as the name implies is creating artistic designs using potted plants. It originated in China over 1,000 years ago. Buddhist monks introduced the art form of bonsai to Japan, caring for these dwarfed plants and trees with the greatest of care. Bonsai was then practised and developed in Japan.Bonsai takes many years to nurture miniature trees of great refinement.

Originally the bonsai were kept outdoors and not indoors. Over the last twenty years it has appeared with increasing frequency indoors.

Bonsai is never stagnant as the plant is alive and the artist can be always improving its form. Bonsai also change with the seasons, with each plant having its own unique attractiveness during each season. Many Japanese utilise bonsai to differentiate the elegance and charm of their gardens. It represents the coming together of horticultural skills and artistic expression.

Trees that grow all around in differing heights and designs are what bonsai should recreate except in miniature. To produce a bonsai the practitioner can utilise almost any trees and shrubs. It must be said some specific species are more sought after for use as bonsai material. This is because they have characteristics that make them appropriate for the smaller design arrangements of bonsai. Maples, junipers, elms and hawthorns are good examples of trees selected for any bonsai that is to be situated outside.

To allow bonsai to be healthy and to live as long as they would in nature you must feed and water them regularly and repot them every four or so years. Repotting is necessary after about three years because there is only sufficient feed in the soil to last your tree that amount of time. To achieve good bonsai the soil you use should include feedstuffs, usually organic material and packing, possibly sand or gravel, to produce a loose and fast drying compound. As bonsai can be attacked by disease it is necessary to be vigilant to quickly spot any problems. Windy and or sunny weather can readily dry out your bonsai tree and hence keep the soil watered on a regular basis. Be warned the leaves of your bonsai may not show that the plant is in need of water. Certain bonsai continue to look green and watered even after the roots have died out.

To assist with the structure of the tree it is useful to utilise bonsai wiring. To keep the bonsai as a miniature it is necessary to limit its possible growing habitat. To cultivate the bonsai that is desired individual branches must be cut off.

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By Bill Franks who is known to write widely on the topic of bonsai Further articles can be found at onlinebonsailovers.com

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