Article
Bonsai - A Short Introduction
By: Simon Hurst
Bonsai is derived from bon and sai mean to plant in a tray or a pot in Japanese. It is a very old eastern form of art utilising plants. China is where bonsai started well over a millennium ago. The move from China to Japan occurred when Buddhist monks brought it over, tending the miniature trees with true compassion. Japanese then enhanced and undertook the art form of bonsai. Bonsai is the art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by raising living, miniature trees, often over a period of several years.
The bonsai it should be noted was only to be an outdoor plant and not either an indoor or outdoor plant as is now the case. However since the 1990s it is becoming more and more as a piece of indoor decor.
With the continued influence of the grower and the life of the tree bonsai is never a static form of art. Another factor in the look of a bonsai is the changing of the seasons. In an effort to improve and separate from other gardens lots of Japanese plant bonsai. At its finest bonsai is a perfect amalgamation of artistic and gardening excellence.
Bonsai in miniature is as varied as a world full of trees of differing appearances. Bonsai is such that with the right care and attention most trees can form the starting point. Although some are more equal than others with respect to suitability for bonsai. Certain trees are more suitable for the intricate design work in bonsai. For outdoor bonsai some of the favourites are elms, gingko and junipers.
Bonsai trees require regular watering, feeding and repotting to keep them in optimum health and in many cases they are actually healthier that their counterparts in the wild, enjoying the same longevity. You need to repot your bonsai every three to five years because the tree will by then have utilised all the nutrients within the soil. The soil for your use with bonsai should be fast draining, with a sandy base some clay pellets and an organic part of bark or possibly peat. 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. With certain plants the leaves will still look in good health and green without the roots being alive.
Various techniques can be used to shape the tree one of the stronger ones is bonsai wiring. Setting the conditions under which the tree grows can limit the size of a bonsai. Within the bonsai each and every branch may require an element of cutting.