|
|
Today is
What
Is A Bonsai?
When you hear
‘bonsai’, probably the first image that comes to your mind is a
miniature tree.
Aesthetic miniaturization of trees that are grown in
the containers is an art form practiced by Japanese, Chinese and
Koreans.
For the Chinese, it is ‘penjing’, for the Korean ‘bunjae’,
whereas for the Japanese, the term is ‘bonsai.’
The Chinese were the first to grow miniature-size trees in
containers. They started doing so around 200 CE.
Did you know that
it was how
herbal healers transported medicinal plants? |
HerbGarden Tips
Start a Garden
patio herb garden
windowsill herb gardens
Maintaining your Herb
Garden
Hang Dry your Herbs
Container Garden video
Bonsai Trees
Early Herbal Healers
Banish Bug Bites
Herbal
Medicine |
Bonsai trees are grown for both indoor and outdoor enjoyment and
display.
There are various kinds of bonsai – slant, formal
upright, informal upright, raft, literati, cascade, semi-cascade and
the forest/group.
The slant style bonsai is like the straight
trunk of any upright tree. The apex extends to the right or the
left of the base. The formal upright is similar to a straight and
tapered trunk. This is as opposed to the informal upright that has
curves and bends with the apex usually found directly above the roots.
The raft bonsai is considered to be a rare
phenomenon because it takes place after a tree is toppled from
natural force or erosion. The branches then expose the edge of the
trunk. Roots grow from these buried portions.
Cascades are models of trees that grow on the
side of the mountains and the water’s surface. The tip or the apex
of a cascade bonsai reaches underneath the lip of the pot.
A forest or group bonsai is a group of trees that grow
altogether in a pot. These are usually of a similar species.
Bonsai are classed according to their sizes. There are
styles and techniques associated to the shito and mame bonsais.
These are the bonsais that are grown in pots as small as thimbles.
The bonsai enthusiast knows that the smaller the size
of the bonsai, the greater the care required. The miniature sized
bonsai often requires special attention.
Bonsai
is often found in the center of a garden set alongside an
urban
or wild landscape.
There are Many Benefits to gain from Bonsai
Growing as a Hobby
Long-Lasting – Plants are
living creatures just like us. Moreover, they can even live longer
than we do as long as we continually care for them properly. If you
choose a bonsai growing hobby, it’s definitely one that can and
will last a lifetime if you wish.
Relaxing – There’s something
uniquely soothing about caring for bonsai plants. As you go about
your daily routine in watering and cutting bonsai plants, you’ll
find your stress slowly leaking away leaving you with an overall
feeling of contentment.
Bonsai growers are a special lot a
little bit removed from your regular gardener or plant fan. They are
patient, skilled and determined and they seem to speak a language
that's all their own.
If
you've been bitten by the bonsai bug and are still in denial,
here are a
few more reasons why you should give in:
A chance to create a living work of art — Growing bonsai is more
than just having a green thumb and knowing which soil goes with what
species. It can actually be an artistic endeavor.
It's relaxing — The whole process of growing bonsai requires a
zen-like state of mind.
Pruning, trimming, repotting, watering – these are
simple, regular processes used with most plants but with bonsai,
they are taken to a higher level.
Growing bonsai is a test of patience —
People say that patience is a virtue and it is absolutely true
with bonsai. Growing it is a test of persistence and if you haven’t
got it, better consider a different hobby.
A chance to watch something grow old
with you — Bonsai isn't a plant you can trifle with. Once you
choose to grow bonsai, you are expected to be in it for the long
haul. Bonsai can grow to be your age and many prized plants have
grown to be more than a hundred and continue to become sturdier,
healthier and more beautiful as the years pass.
Growing bonsai is aesthetically logical
— Bonsai is attractive. People grow them, gravitate
towards them, admire them because they are beautiful living works of
art. So if you feel yourself falling, give in. It will be worth it.
Growing bonsai gives you a chance to create a lasting
memento of your passion.
It may, in fact, become one of the best legacies you can leave
to your children and your grandchildren. |
 |
Growing Bonsai is Easy and Fun
Bonsai trees aren’t difficult to care for. If
you have the experience of growing other household plants, then
you’re sure to succeed with a bonsai. The only difference is that
Bonsai trees are actually shrubs and trees.
Their heights are stunted artificially by tying the branches using
wires or pruning branches and roots. This practice started in China
and was later adapted by the Japanese.
Please don't think that planting a tree in a small
container can magically turn into a bonsai. It takes continuous
shaping and pruning. It also depends on the kind of species you
have.
But it doesn't have to be a mystery!
... and you don't have to go far to find advice and instructions
that will guide you to creating your own beautiful Bonsai trees.
RESOURCES:
1. BonsaI books are available from many sources. Here's an
inexpensive guide with getting started help for the beginner and
expert advice for the more advanced gardener.
CLICK
HERE for
ordering information
|
Everyone has to start somewhere. “Bonsai Trees:
Growing, Trimming, Pruning, and Sculpting” – is a
definitive guide to get you on your way.
You’ll not only get information on successfully growing bonsai trees,
you’ll learn how to craft them into a work of art with these guides -
-
How to Plant your bonsai
-
Prune and trim your bonsai into the style you
want -
Wire the tree -
When and how to water and
fertilize -
Repot the plant -
Where and how to display your
bonsai -
Take care of outdoor bonsai
in cold weather -
And much, much more!
|
2. Dallas Bonsai Garden
offers a
complete line
of Japanese bonsai supplies — tools, pots, soils, mud men,
books, instructional videos, Japanese bonsai picture books and
magazines.
3. Bonsai Tools available from Johnson Roth Ltd.
Catalog page here
>>
MORE HERB GARDEN TIPS
Add
to your RSS Feed Reader
TO TOP
CLOSE WINDOW _____________________________________________________
This website and site pages
are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All
information, content and links are provided on an "AS IS" basis.
RichardPresents.com is not responsible for the accuracy of Links
found on Herb Gardening Tips for products and information which
point to other
web sites and businesses |
