Sponsored Links

Find everything Bonsai at Bonsai Boy

What is a Bonsai Tree?

By Fred the Handyman

Here in the West, Asian style decorating has been a trend for many years. One of the art forms that is enjoying the greatest popularity is the bonsai tree. Although China and Japan are the countries most people associate with the Bonsai tree, small indoor trees were first seen in ancient Egypt about 4000 years ago. The practice spread to India where physicians would keep small potted trees for their medicinal value. But China, and later Japan, is where the art of the bonsai tree really flourished.

Most people know that the bonsai is kept miniature by pruning the roots and keeping it in a small pot. However, the distinctive look of the bonsai tree is achieved through careful training of the tree. The trunk and branches are shaped through either tying it with twine or using the copper wire technique. The tree is then pruned by its caretaker until it has the perfect shape. This process takes years. Even when the bonsai has the desired shape, it must be meticulously maintained. Most bonsai require a great deal of care.

Types of Bonsai

The Juniper Bonsai is probably what most people think of when they hear the word bonsai. These are usually seen in the windswept style where the tree appears to be blowing in the wind. They are also common in the cascade style where one of the branches is trained to grow below the rim of the pot. Even flowering plants can be used as bonsai. Like the tree trunk and the foliage, the blooms are trained to be miniature. Some of the most impressive bonsai are trees like maples. In the fall, their foliage turns just like their larger brothers.

Caring for your Bonsai

Bonsai trees are notoriously hard to care for. They must be given enough water, but never too much. Maintaining the proper moisture level is very important, because even if your tree looks healthy, it could be suffering from drought. Generally, when the bonsai begins to show signs of distress, it's already too late. The root system could be too far-gone to be saved. I would suggest using a moisture meter, so you know exactly when and how much to water.

Your tree also needs to be repotted on a regular basis. How often depends on the type of tree you have, but its not more often than once a year. When you repot, you need to clear all the soil from around the roots, and inspect them. This is the time that you need to prune the root system. Again, it's a very delicate job. You don't want to remove too much of the root system or you could kill your tree. If you leave too much, the roots will continue to grow and get tangled up depriving your tree of water.

Finding a Bonsai Tree

Finding the right Bonsai tree can be as hard as caring for one. They really are living works of art, so no two are exactly alike. If you have a nursery specializing in bonsai trees in your area, that should be your first stop. There you'll be able to pick out the right tree, and talk to the bonsai master who grew it. I would avoid buying a bonsai at a normal garden center. Most of these trees have been shipped in from elsewhere, and you don't really know if they have been properly cared for.

If you don't have a bonsai specialist in your area, I would suggest looking at Bonsai Boy of New York. These folks are bonsai experts. They have been training and selling bonsai trees for years. Their collection of bonsai trees range from small inexpensive trees, which tend to be younger, to the older well-established bonsai. They also have a section of bonsai that don't require as much care. This would be the perfect first bonsai tree. Along with this they have the tools and accessories you need to keep your tree healthy and a collection of books about the art.

Whatever you choose, remember that the bonsai is more than just a nice decoration. It's "heaven and earth in one container" as the Japanese say. What you see is the culmination of years of painstaking work. Choosing the right tree. Potting it. Training it. And caring for it. If cared for properly, your bonsai will bring you years of enjoyment.