Bonsai

Bonsai Guide

Bonsai is an art form that stems from ancient, oriental culture, originating in China and developed by the Japanese. In the 13th century, the Japanese collected and potted wild trees that had been dwarfed by nature. These naturally formed miniatures were some of the first bonsai.

Bonsai is an art that originated in China more than 1,000 years ago. The Japanese started collecting and growing trees around the 13th century. Some of the different varities that are commonly used for bonsai are wisteria, pine, oak, maple, beech, boxwood and azalea.

The bonsai are dwarfed by pruning roots and branches. Their shapes are controlled by wiring the trunk and branches. The wires must be removed before the bark becomes scarred.

The Bonsai plant's development is in the eye of each owner's own imagination.

When choosing a plant consider the following points:

- Look for a plant with many branches.
- Plants with a wide trunk at the bottom.
- Small leaves.
- Try and find a plant with branches all the way to the bottom of the trunk.
- Healthy plants.

The pot should be shallow for smaller plants and deeper for those plants that have a larger trunk. Remember to choose a pot with sufficient drainage so that the roots do not get water logged.

To increase the mass of branches, prune the tree continuously.

You can decorate the top of the pot with moss or pebbles and continue to prune and shape the newest edition to your collection of plants.