Bonsai Facts

Contents What is Bonsai? Bonsai Styles Material for Bonsai Elements of Design Training of Bonsai Bonsai Care

What is Bonsai? The word bonsai is derived from two Chinese characters, meaning a tree planted in a shallow container. The word is pronounced "bone-sigh". Bonsai is an art form that is composed partly of horticulture and partly three-dimensional design. To qualify as a bonsai, the growing miniature tree must be both a representation of nature and creative expression. Bonsai can be a philosophical experience, a means for feeling the spiritual harmony between man and nature.

The world history of bonsai is extensive, originating 1700 years ago in China with collected mountain trees. Other ancient civilizations have grown container plants, but no one has as much documented historical background in artistic pot plants-penjing-(the Chinese counter- part of bonsai) and horticultural practices as China. With the parallels of eastern culture, especially religion, Japan borrowed potted tree culture some 800 years ago. The Japanese began to change the craft by altering and improving the design perspective through observing the forms and characteristics of trees in nature. As a result, the Japanese elevated potted tree culture to the art we enjoy today. A bonsai is not a mystery-- it is a challenge....to turn a tree into a bonsai, you must heavily prune its branches and roots, and pot it in a container that fits the overall design. The size of the bonsai is maintained by seasonal trimming of new growth and periodic root pruning and repotting. Most bonsai must live outdoors in the same elements as their gigantic siblings. In temperate zones, tropicals and sub-tropicals are adaptable to indoor conditions. During the growing season almost all trees should be kept outdoors.

The most common question about bonsai is "How old is it?", but a bonsai can be any age. Since the techniques are meant to develop and emphasize age, the actual age of a tree is not important- . Ask instead. "How old does the tree look?".

Bonsai are designed as the result of observations of trees in their natural state. Trees grow in an infinite number of shapes. To classify bonsai, you have to ask several questions: Is the bonsai composed of one trunk or several trunks? What definition will you give to the base, form, and trunk direction? Is the tree rooted firmly, or growing on a rock or with exposed roots? Is the trunk straight, curved, or multiple? Does the tree stand upright,slant, or cascade?

Formal A single upright trunk that tapers toward the top.

Informal A single upright trunk with well balanced curves. The top usually bends toward the front.

Semi or full cascade A single arching or cascading trunk either severely slanted or extending below the container.

Group or forest   Usually trees of related species representing a miniature landscape.

Free form (literati) A sparse single upright trunk - straight,slanted, or curved characterized by a tasteful, simple elegance.

Other bonsai styles: slanting, broom, windswept, multiple trunk (twin, triple, or clump), and rock planting (on, in, or over a rock). Deserving special classification based on size is the miniature (Shohin) bonsai (less than 10 inches).

• Propagation methods:
  • seed/seedling
  • grafting
  • cutting
  • layering
• Nursery stock:
  • containerized plants from a general nursery
  • pre-trained plants from specialized nurseries or mail order
• Collected trees:
  • gathered material from the wild.
• Finished bonsai:
  • ready-made

There are two basic types of bonsai material.

Outdoor

Outdoor plants that require a cold dormancy period: juniper maple azalea apple pine elm spruce larch

Indoor

Indoor plants that cannot be allowed to freeze: fig natal plum citrus serissa jade myrtle gardenia bougenvalia

Required characteristics for selecting material.

• woody plants (superior to non-woody material)
• tree-like growth habit
• strong surface rootage
• good trunk taper from soil to top
• quantity and size of branching that results in good placement
• a suitable location for apex
• foliage in proportion to overall scale
• healthy material (a must)

Initially, decide which view of the tree to select as the front, to utilize the tree's best aesthetic qualities such as rootage, taper, curvature, and any other interesting features.

Design necessitates planning. Training and styling are synonymous with design. Since bonsai is an art form, certain basic elements of design are used to simplify the process:

symmetry balance proportion

Symmetry is the repetition of the same shape. The most basic shape is the triangle, which also has an oriental philosophical meaning heaven, earth, and man). The repetition of the triangular form can be seen in the tree's overall silhouette and in its branches as perceived from different viewpoints.

Front overall silhouette

Top view, branch

Branch profile

Balance is perceived to be symmetrical. however, a more aesthetically pleasing distribution of mass and voids can be obtained by using an asymmetrical approach.

Proportion is the ratio of the individual parts, including the container in relation to the overall design.

"...there is balance in unbalance, and there is symmetry in asymmetry." John Naka

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Training Bonsai is an Ongoing Process

One misconception is that bonsai are mistreated or tortured.
Bonsai are healthy, vigorously growing trees! The healthy condition of these trees makes it possible to prune branches, trim roots, encourage small foliage (needles or leaves), or wire the branches to the desired shape. Often bonsai are grown in the ground or in a larger nursery pot until the desired size is achieved, then placed in a bonsai pot. Training bonsai is an ongoing process.

Basic bonsai tools

concave cutter

shears

wire cutter

chopsticks

broom

Pruning Analyze the tree and prune branches and foliage to achieve your design in its simplest form. When the foliage area is reduced, you can also reduce the root system, so the tree can live in a shallow pot.

Directional training Most drastic changes in direction are achieved by winding copper or aluminum wire in a spiral around the branch and bending it to the desired position until the wood sets. Other alternative methods include guy wiring or hanging weights on the branches. A Chinese method called "clip and grow' achieves changes in direction by repeated cuttings.

Container The limited area of the pot tends to restrict the growth of the tree, and the design of the tree ultimately dictates the shape of the pot. The size of the pot is proportional to the size of the bonsai. The placement of the bonsai in the pot achieves aesthetic balance and harmony.

A bonsai pot is a unique container especially created, using a variety of colors, textures, and shapes to complement each bonsai.

Soil Bonsai soil is significantly different from other "potting soils". It is often very granular, providing rapid water drainage, good aeration, and substantial weight to anchor the tree. A typical bonsai mixture is made of equal parts of organic, clay, and gravel components. These are sifted to eliminate overly large or dust particles.