A Living Piece Of Artwork - The Bonsai Tree

Bonsai trees are small versions of fully grown trees

. Growing bonsai employs several methods of pruning and shaping that keeps the plant undersized and graceful. Bonsai are planted in pots and used both inside and out. They are grown for one reason; their artful elegance.

The practice of creating bonsai trees started in China with specimens that resembled animals, birds and mythical creatures. The Japanese are most known for bonsai culture. They took the idea from the Chinese around AD 1195 and took it to new heights. Buddhist monks began to cultivate them through the practice of Zen. Soon wealthy families all had their own collections and a gardener who worked primarily on the bonsai trees. Bonsais were introduced to the world at the Paris World Expedition in 1900 and are found all over the world today.

Plants that are used for bonsai are perennials that normally have woody stems and include small trees and shrubs. The criteria for the plant is that they have short needles or smaller leaves. Many times specimens can be found at the local garden center. The branches have to grow low on the trunk of the plant, grow slowly and textured wood brings more interest to the specimen.

One of the best types of plant to use is the juniper. Others include small pine trees, cedar and hemlock. A tree that grows slowly and is very easy to form is the Japanese White Pine. A deciduous type of tree suitable for bonsai is the Trident Maple. The oldest type of plant used is the Chinese Quince. This tree lives forever and is pliable yet strong. Other shrub-like plants like hydrangea, lavender and rosemary can also make great specimens.

Several techniques can be used to make a bonsai tree. Sometimes branches are removed entirely or clipped back and leaves are removed. In many cases stems that appear on the top of a branch are left to grow while the ones on the bottom are clipped off. Pruning off the entire upper part of a plant may be necessary to make the specimen smaller.

Wire is wrapped around branches to shape them into artistic forms. Aluminum wire is used but copper is the best because the color blends in with the bark of the branches. Deciduous specimens can have the wire removed in about six to nine months while evergreens take several years.

Bonsai trees must be monitored regularly. Container grown plants need to be watched. Watering is an every day occurrence but if too much water is used the roots will rot. Once there is no more room for the roots to grow the plant must be repotted. Fertilizer, the water-soluble type, is necessary because the roots are contained in a pot and cannot get earth nutrients.

Special tools are needed to trim the bonsai. Regular sized tools are too bulky and large so bonsai tools are small and very sharp. Leaf trimmers, a small rake and brush, plant shears and wire cutters are all needed.

Choosing a container is an important part of creating a bonsai tree. Pots can be unglazed or they can be glazed and often they are just as beautiful as the plant. They are generally shallow and have large holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. Holes can be covered with screen material to prevent planting medium from seeping out.

Make bonsai from shrubs or purchase one that is already started. True bonsai are designed to last for centuries and be passed from one generation to another. They are very difficult to cultivate and take a great deal of time, but are worth all the trouble just because they are so beautiful.

by: Oscar Mandria

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