How To Grow Bonsai Trees - An Ancient Art

Ever since I saw my first bonsai tree, at a time I was already hooked on gardening, I have been fascinated by these sculptures from nature. Bonsai trees are really trees in miniature, though the meaning is a tree in a pot or tray.

The practice of growing miniature trees, or bonsai, goes back thousands of years, from origins in China. However, it is the Japanese who embraced bonsai growing and turned it into the horticultural art form it is today.

Bonsai trees have grown massively in popularity in the last few decades. The best examples can be very expensive, as there is a lot of skill and creativity involved; some can even be described as masterpieces. But there are also a fair number around that are cheaper and affordable to more people. However, bonsai growing is labour intensive, so they are always going to be a premium price.

You can, of course, grow your own bonsai, and get a lot of pleasure in doing so. It is not just a horticultural activity, it is a chance for you to work with nature, be creative, and produce a living specimen of art.....your work of art no less.

There is much to learn when growing a bonsai tree; it is not just a matter of planting any old tree in a small tray.  Much of the skill in growing bonsai revolves around the shaping of the correct species of shrubs or trees, so that you can create the tree shape you really want. 

The first thing to do is decide on what species of tree you want to grow. Some trees are particular suited to bonsai cultivation, and some are particularly good for achieving the best shapes and appearances. Some examples of popular bonsai trees from a growing point of view are Fig, Bottlelebrush, Silly and She Oaks, Ironwood and Crepe Myrtle.  The best type of tree for bonsai cultivation is a tree that has many branches and a good wide trunk.  It also helps if you have a tree with naturally small leaves, plus branches that start growing low to the ground.

The miniature effect of bonsai is achieved through restricting root growth by means of a small container, traditionally a shallow tray like pot with a special bonsai medium for growth. This treatment means that care is somewhat different from a "normal" pot plant, and bonsai trees should be repotted at regular intervals, say 3-5 years, and their roots trimmed, not up-potted to larger pots as we would normally do.

The bonsai is a lovely piece of home decor, so it needs to be displayed in an attractive pot that shows its beauty well. So, when choosing the pot, or tray, keep in mind appearance as well as functionality.

The final pot for your bonsai should be selected with great care. Ensure that it has drainage holes, and that it is not a glazed pot which would prevent the tree from breathing. Once you have transferrred the plant to its new pot, you can make it even more attractive by decorating the top of the soil with pebbles or moss.
 
A bonsai tree is not naturally an indoor plant, so it is best to shape your tree before you bring it inside.  The trunk of the tree and its branches can be shaped by wire that has been wrapped around the trunk and the branches, so that the tree is forced to conform to whatever shape you are trying to create.  The wire can be removed permanently when the tree no longer springs back when the wire is removed.  This is where your artistic talents will come into full play.

To learn more about looking after bonsai, please clickhere.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sponsored Links: Caring For Bonsai

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------