Bonsai is the fine art of cultivating miniature trees. In Japanese, it is literally translated as ‘tray planting’. Bonsai is the art of dwarfing trees and developing them into good, decent shape by pruning, training and repotting by applying different techniques.Bonsai is actively practiced by many. Bonsai is a hobby that allows one to be with nature constantly. The height of most bonsai range from 5 centimetres (2 in) to 1 metre (3.33 ft) and are developed from seeds or cuttings from young, stunted trees. Bonsai are often referred to as “heaven and earth in one container" since they are complete in itself but yet part of nature. Bonsai plants are positioned at the centre as center point is symbolically regarded as the meeting point of heaven and earth. If looked after properly with care,Bonsai can live for hundred years and admired by generations after generations. Bonsai, even though artificially pruned and trained, look natural and doesn’t show intervention of human hands except for Chinese bonsai which are given special shapes depicting images of dragons and other symbols.
History
Many myths and legends are associated with bonsai. Bonsai is believed to have started during the Han dynasty in China. They were the first to form miniature landscapes known as Bonsai or ‘penjing’ or growing plants in pots. Chinese bonsai often took shapes of dragons and serpents.
Bonsai was introduced in Japan during the Kamakura period by Zen Buddhism during 1185 – 1333. However, it was during the Tokugawa period, that landscape gardening gained prominence and cultivation of plants like azalea and maples became a hobby of the rich and wealthy.Bonsai were also grown, but the pots were much bigger compared to modern bonsai plants. The Japanese elite soon took to Bonsai and it became an integral part of their lives. With time, different styles of Bonsai emerged and it was only in the mid-19th century that Japan opened itself to the rest of the world and Bonsai was adoped in the west and other Asian countries including India.
Styles
There are two basic styles of Bonsai. They are the classic ‘koten’ and informal or ‘comic’ bunjin. In the classic style, the trunk is wider at the base and tapers off towards the top while it is just the opposite in the latter. However, these styles have been modified over the years and today there are five main styles ofBonsai.
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Formal Upright: This style occurs when a plant is grown under perfect conditions in the open. In this style, the trunkshould be straight, tapering naturally from base to the apex. Larches, Junipers, Pines and Spruces are all suitable for thus style.
Informal Upright: In informal upright, the trunk would be slightly bend to the right or the left. Species suitable for thiskind of style are Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum), Beech.
Slanting: Trees that slant at a definite angle whether curved or straight is known as a slanting style of Bonsai. Mosttrees can be pruned to get this style while conifers are the best.
Cascade: Many species are suitable for cascade style where the trunk tapers naturally but gives the impression ofbeing pulled against the forces of gravity.
Semi-cascade: Flowering cherries, cedars and junipers are recommended for semi-cascade style. Like cascadestyle, the tip projects over the rim of the pot but does not drop below its base.
Tools
- Heavy duty scissors
- Medium duty scissors
- Cutters
- Spherical cutters
- Jin Pliers
- Trunk splitter
- Wire cutters
- Wire removers
- Left-handed tools
- Root cutters
- Pliers
- Nippers
- Tweezers
- Soil Sieves
Books for beginners
- Bonsai - pocket encyclopedia (RD Home Handbooks)"
Harry Tomlinson
- "Bonsai Basics : A Step-By-Step Guide to Growing, Training & General Care"
Christian Pessey, Remy Samson
- "101 Essential Tips: Bonsai"
Harry Tomlinson, Deni Bown
"Simon and Schuster's Guide to Bonsai"
Gianfranco Giorgi, Victoria Jahn (Editor)