The first image that comes to my mind is a big deciduous tree such as an Oak, growing on its own with no other trees around it. Now think a little further about other trees that you have seen. Think about trees growing in craggy, mountainous locations where life is hard.
Think about a copse of several trees growing on a hill. Think about trees growing by the coast that have been buffeted by strong prevailing winds. Think about trees growing near a river, where the water has eroded some of the soil and exposed roots are visible. Think about very old trees where storms, lightening or simply the passage of time has caused branches to die on the tree.
Think about an old pine tree where some of the low branches have died and all that is left is a small canopy at the top. Think about smaller trees growing close to bigger trees, which lean outward, reaching for sunlight. All of these images of trees are the inspiration for bonsai. A bonsai tree takes some of these natural images and aims to create a representation of these images in miniature. Now that you've bought or cultivated a tree, let's get started with shaping and styling it.
This is the creative and fun part of growing Bonsai, but it's also the most challenging part. Although it takes decades to master and refine techniques like pruning and wiring to keep trees miniaturized, some basics can be learned quite easily. We'll start with the basics of pruning and wiring, but make sure to read the "styling" section for more detailed information. Let's begin with the single most important technique to Bonsai, pruning. Pruning is a crucial practice used to shape trees and keep them miniature.
The goal is to create a Bonsai that accurately replicates a miniature version of a full-scale tree in its natural environment. The best time to prune your tree is during Spring, Although there are some differences depending on the type of tree you have. Make sure to buy a good pair of concave cutters when pruning thick branches. They create a more hollow wound that heals much better than those made by standard cutters.
Some instances in which a branch should be removed include:. When there are two branches at the same height on the tree trunk, cut one, and keep the other. If you have a branch with unnatural twists and turns. If you notice disproportionately thick branches at the top of the tree. Another important technique to shape Bonsai trees is wiring. By carefully wrapping anodized aluminum, or annealed copper, around branches you can bend and shape them to your will, at least to a certain extent.
Wiring can be applied year-round, but make sure to remove the wire promptly before it starts digging into branches that grow thicker. Make sure to read the wiring page in the styling section for more detailed instructions. Maintenance and care is a crucial part of growing a Bonsai tree.
Although every tree species has its specific care guidelines, I'll discuss some of the basics beginning with watering. Be sure to identify your Bonsai for specific instructions. How much and with what frequency you should water a Bonsai depends on a wide range of factors, such as; tree species, pot size, soil-mixture, and climate. Because Bonsai are usually planted in such small pots, they tend to dry up fairly quickly, so it's important to water your Bonsai regularly.
However, over-watering can result in root-rot, which is one of the leading causes of death for most Bonsai. Choosing the right soil mixture for your Bonsai and re-potting regularly is crucial to keep your tree healthy. An important rule for watering is to keep a close eye on your tree and soil and water when necessary, rather than watering once a day, or on a schedule. Water your Bonsai thoroughly to make sure the soil absorbs water properly. Placing an outdoor tree inside, or vice versa is a sure way to kill your Bonsai.
Before purchasing or cultivating you should decide where to place your tree. Sub-tropical trees will do perfectly fine indoors, though they generally need a lot of light and relatively high humidity. They can only be grown outdoors if you live somewhere with a warm enough climate.
All sorts of trees and shrubs are used as bonsai. In essence, any plant that can be grown in a small container can be cultivated as a bonsai. The most popular varieties are pines; maples, whose leaves change their color in autumn; flowering trees, like the cherry and plum; and fruit-bearing trees, like the quince and persimmon. In countries other than Japan, varieties that are best suited to the local climate are used. The trees can grow as tall as a meter three feet , or be small enough to be fit in one's palm.
Bonsai fall into a number of categories according to shape, but the most important thing to keep in mind is to allow the tree to express its individuality freely, without forcing it to fit any particular category, and to help it achieve its most beautiful, balanced form.
Just as people choose clothes in which they look good, containers should be chosen that best suit the trees in terms of size, shape, and color. This will allow the bonsai to be seen in the loveliest light. The process of raising bonsai requires controlling the kind of shape the trees take. Sometimes you need to bend branches with wires or to cut them off altogether. You might think that's cruel, but these steps are essential for the tree to remain healthy in a pot.
The trees have a life of their own, of course, and grow in accordance to the laws of nature, so they can never be completely controlled by humans.
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