The Japanese Art of Bonsai Trees
- Author Michael Saville
- Published August 20, 2006
- Word count 783
Bonsai is Japanese for 'tray gardening' . Bonsai trees are miniature trees; they keep their small shape and size because of being grown in a small pot or tray and through very careful pruning. The art of pruning a bonsai tree can take a very short time to learn but many people can go an entire lifetime without actually mastering the art.
History of Bonsai
Bonsai trees have been documented to exist up to 4,000 years ago everywhere from parts of Asia to Africa. The trees were originally grown in China, but then caravans started to export the trees elsewhere such as Egypt where healers would use them to produce medicines. Some were even buried in tombs with royalty.
The original art of bonsai is thought to have started in China, where it was referred to as 'penzai' before being adapted by the Japanese. Only royalty and nobility first enjoyed bonsai trees, but then in the Edo period the art form was opened up to people of all social classes.
The Art of Bonsai
Pruning bonsai trees is very difficult and takes many years of practice to perfect. Not only does a gardener have to grow the tree properly but they must also know how to prune the branches and roots to keep the bonsai trees small and healthy. This care is part of the philosophy behind bonsai trees in that they bring together three forces: Truth, essence and beauty, or, in Japanese, 'shin-zen-bi'.
When pruning bonsai trees, the Japanese ideal is to prune them in a way that does not show any kind of intervention from outside forces. The tree must always look as though it grew completely naturally with no help. On the other hand, Chinese pruning tends to be much more artistic, as gardeners grow their trees and cut them into intricate shapes and designs such as into Chinese characters or even images of animals and dragons.
Common Kinds of Bonsai
Bonsai trees come in many different forms and varieties. The formal upright tree is one of the most common, distinguished by its balanced branches and a trunk that tapers. The sister variety is one which bends and curves, leading to more variety in how it can be displayed as pleasing to the eye.
These trees can be found all over now, with growers in every corner of the globe and collections and gardens to visit in many countries including Australia, Belgium, Montréal, Canada, China, Germany and many more places in the United States and Asia. If you are interested in learning the fine art of bonsai trees, visit one of these gardens and see the kind of large-scale beauty that can come from such a small creation.
Bonsai Tree Care
Today, bonsai care has become a very popular hobby for some who maintain the spiritual connection with nature. If that sounds like you, here are there are five basic techniques in providing bonsai care.
Water and Bonsai
Bonsai trees are planted in limited amounts of unique bonsai soil. This combination necessitates that bonsai care include a frequency in the number of times watered. There are two methods that can be used to determine the dampness of the soil; one method uses a water meter that will indicate the dampness of the soil and will help to determine whether water needs to be added.
Or, by simply inserting your finger into the soil, up to the first joint, you can feel if the soil is moist or dry. If the soil is dry, add enough water to cause the water to escape from the drainage hole of the pot. Bonsai care also requires an increase in watering during the summer months and less watering during the winter months. It is also important to remember to keep the roots of the tree dry.
Soil Nutrients and Fertilizing
Bonsai care includes the nurturing of the soil in the spring and fall season. This nurturing should include the introduction of nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid into the soil. The health of your indoor bonsai tree is also dependent upon fertilization. Bonsai care should include scheduled fertilization twice a month during the spring months. Additionally, fertilization should happen once a month in later fall and through winter.
Sunlight and Bonsai
Depending on the needs of your specific tree, bonsai care requires that the tree receive some direct sunlight. If this is not possible your choice of tree should be based on the limited availability of light, or, alternatively, the bonsai tree can be placed outdoors to receive its daily dose of Vitamin D. One cautionary note regarding sunlight: limit exposure if your tree has been recently placed into new soil or has been trimmed substantially.
For more information and tips on bonsai tree care visit http://www.bonsai-tree.biz
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- How To Lay Pavers
- How Regular Tree Maintenance Can Actually Save You Money
- What to Put in the Bottom of a Raised Garden Bed
- Free Lawn Service for the Elderly: A Pensive Solution for Our Seniors
- 10 Things to Look for in Coco Peat Suppliers
- Making the Most of Your Garden This Summer: Growing Herbs and Spices
- Lawn Weeds That Are Common In Your Lawn
- Sparkle and Shine: Expert Tips for Effortless Household Cleaning
- Cost-Effective Gardening: Tips for Enhancing Your Garden on a Budget
- Ornamental Grasses: Low Maintenance, High Impact
- Succulents and Sweetness: Crafting the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift
- A Day of Serenity and Joy: My Encounter with the Hanging Egg Chair
- GROWING AND NURTURING THE DURIAN FRUIT TREE
- WHAT IS UHMW? UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)
- The Art of Container Gardening: Growing Plants in Small Spaces
- garden lawn edging and mulch paint
- Medical Gardening
- 7 Tricks and Tips for Starting Your Own Backyard Garden
- Bring the Tropics to Your Home: A Guide to Calathea Plants
- The future of reforestation efforts: trends and strategies
- What do you want to build in your backyard?
- The Importance of Tree Service
- Expert Advice For Tree Service
- Plant. Prune. Preserve.
- How To Get Rid of Gypsy Moth Caterpillars
- ”She Shed” Design Ideas for the Modern Woman
- How to Use an Electric Paint Sprayer?
- Identifying a dangerous tree in your garden
- The Best Options For Front Yard Trees
- Advantages of Gardening for Seniors