Growing your own bonsai need not start by being expensive. Plants are free if grown from seed or cuttings and the rewards to be had in terms of appreciation of the final result, and the experience gained, is a joy beyond compare.
Creating a bonsai is a fairly simple procedure, if you follow the necessary steps for growing and shaping the selected tree. It is also important to select a tree for the climatic conditions in your region – some trees will thrive in certain regions while others may not survive. After deciding on the desired bonsai material, the next step is to prepare the appropriate size pot. A pot that is too small, or a pot that is too large can hamper the growth of the bonsai. In addition the pot should have an outlet or opening at the bottom to allow water to drain freely. The amount and type of soil is also an important consideration, usually a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. To allow for proper placement in its container, you may have to cut some of its roots. By reducing the mass of roots in the pot, pruning provides space for young vigorous roots to grow and absorb water and minerals. Remember, it is the trimming of the roots while confining the tree to a shallow container that keeps the tree miniaturized.
After setting the tree in its container, pruning the leaves, trimming new shoots and wiring the branches into an aesthetically pleasing form follows. There are six classic bonsai styles and a growing list of non-classical styles as bonsai art involves new cultures and new species. Aesthetics, however is not an end in itself, but is linked to the physiology and good health of the bonsai.
Once you have proudly completed your work of art, you should become familiar with the basic rules for maintaining your tree in good health so that it can reward you with many years of pleasure. Method and frequency of watering, lighting requirements, trimming and repotting, prevention of diseases and insects, and plant fertilization are just a few of the topics with which you should become familiar. There are numerous books on the subject of bonsai which can provide step-by-step instructions on these subjects . Happy Growing!
Grow a bonsai tree from tree seeds and cuttings.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Choosing a Bonsai Plant
When you go to choose your Bonsai Plant, you will find that there are a great many varieties to choose from. In reality, any plant that has a trunk and branches can become a Bonsai Plant.
A lot of people choose the tropical Bonsai Plant because they are beautiful and can be grown indoors all year around. Tropical Bonsai Plants include such plants as the as azalea, fig, bougainvillea, fuchsia.
Though tropical Bonsai Plants are popular, there are also other types that very closely resemble the full grown outside variety. These Bonsai Plants include such trees and shrubs as the elm, birch, apple, ginkgo, and spirea. These types of plants lose their leaves in the winter when the days grow shorter. They require cooler temperatures, but above freezing in the winter. In addition, they don't need light when they don't have any leaves.
When choosing a Bonsai Plant it is important to consider where it is you will be growing your plant before deciding on which type to get. The tropical Bonsai Plant can be grown in the window as long as you keep close tabs that the temperature is not getting too cold. These types of Bonsai Plants require a lot of light. If it does get too cold by the window, you may use a fluorescent light to help substitute for natural sunlight.
The Evergreen Bonsai Plant can be placed in a window during the winter and outdoors once the temperature is staying above freezing. These plants cannot be placed directly in the sun, but must be put in a shady place so that they do not die from too much heat.
Pruning your Bonsai Plant is important, as this is how you create the illusion of a mature, full-grown tree. If you are not adept at pruning and have never cared for your own Bonsai Plant, you may want to begin with the tropical Azalea Bonsai Plant. They are very adaptable to trimming and this will be helpful for you when you are first starting out with a Bonsai.
There are many different styles of Bonsai Plants, including the upright tree, the windswept Bonsai Plant, as well as the cascade and forest styles of Bonsai Plants. Before deciding on which style you would like to try and grow, it is a good idea to discover as much as you can about each type and how to care for them.
What is the best bonsai soil recipe?
A lot of people choose the tropical Bonsai Plant because they are beautiful and can be grown indoors all year around. Tropical Bonsai Plants include such plants as the as azalea, fig, bougainvillea, fuchsia.
Though tropical Bonsai Plants are popular, there are also other types that very closely resemble the full grown outside variety. These Bonsai Plants include such trees and shrubs as the elm, birch, apple, ginkgo, and spirea. These types of plants lose their leaves in the winter when the days grow shorter. They require cooler temperatures, but above freezing in the winter. In addition, they don't need light when they don't have any leaves.
When choosing a Bonsai Plant it is important to consider where it is you will be growing your plant before deciding on which type to get. The tropical Bonsai Plant can be grown in the window as long as you keep close tabs that the temperature is not getting too cold. These types of Bonsai Plants require a lot of light. If it does get too cold by the window, you may use a fluorescent light to help substitute for natural sunlight.
The Evergreen Bonsai Plant can be placed in a window during the winter and outdoors once the temperature is staying above freezing. These plants cannot be placed directly in the sun, but must be put in a shady place so that they do not die from too much heat.
Pruning your Bonsai Plant is important, as this is how you create the illusion of a mature, full-grown tree. If you are not adept at pruning and have never cared for your own Bonsai Plant, you may want to begin with the tropical Azalea Bonsai Plant. They are very adaptable to trimming and this will be helpful for you when you are first starting out with a Bonsai.
There are many different styles of Bonsai Plants, including the upright tree, the windswept Bonsai Plant, as well as the cascade and forest styles of Bonsai Plants. Before deciding on which style you would like to try and grow, it is a good idea to discover as much as you can about each type and how to care for them.
What is the best bonsai soil recipe?
Bonsai - The Journey East To West
Since its beginnings in China, during the Han Dynasty over two thousand years ago, the art of growing miniature trees in containers, bonsai, has had an interesting history. Initially, penjing – as it is called in China, was considered too spiritual for the common folk and only nobles were permitted to own one. During the 14th century, the Chinese invaded Japan and brought with them many aspects of Chinese culture, including religion, calligraphy and penjing. Even today, the Japanese characters for bonsai remain the same in Chinese.
The Japanese developed and refined this art form, still remaining the privilege of the nobles. When they began to lose interest, the art form almost died out completely and was only practiced by a few people. Bonsai rose in popularity, but with the leaning towards coloured flowers and variegated leaves. The development of bonsai as we know it really began during the last century.
Although Westerners had encountered bonsai on their travels in the Far East, and a few had even written articles about them, it wasn’t until the end of WW2 that the hobby really began to catch on in the United States. GI’s returning from Japan brought with them small samples of these fascinating trees.
Many of them only survived for a short time, but there were enough people curious about bonsai to try to find out how to care for them correctly. The large Japanese-American population in the United States was the major source of information and encouragement, and for many years their knowledge and skills were in demand.
Today bonsai has become a household word. Small cuttings planted in shallow pots are sold as bonsai in department stores, garden nurseries, open air markets and even at gas stations. These are not true bonsai such as produced by artists in Western countries as well as Japan, but they are a start. They at least introduce newcomers to the idea of growing a miniaturized tree in a pot. It is then up to the individual to read books, join clubs and meet other bonsai enthusiasts in order to learn and improve their skills.
As your knowledge and enthusiasm grows, you will surely become more ambitious and begin to create your own bonsai from native plants. You will find the art of bonsai a hugely absorbing and satisfying pastime that will give years of pleasure.
Grow a bonsai tree from tree seeds and cuttings.
The Japanese developed and refined this art form, still remaining the privilege of the nobles. When they began to lose interest, the art form almost died out completely and was only practiced by a few people. Bonsai rose in popularity, but with the leaning towards coloured flowers and variegated leaves. The development of bonsai as we know it really began during the last century.
Although Westerners had encountered bonsai on their travels in the Far East, and a few had even written articles about them, it wasn’t until the end of WW2 that the hobby really began to catch on in the United States. GI’s returning from Japan brought with them small samples of these fascinating trees.
Many of them only survived for a short time, but there were enough people curious about bonsai to try to find out how to care for them correctly. The large Japanese-American population in the United States was the major source of information and encouragement, and for many years their knowledge and skills were in demand.
Today bonsai has become a household word. Small cuttings planted in shallow pots are sold as bonsai in department stores, garden nurseries, open air markets and even at gas stations. These are not true bonsai such as produced by artists in Western countries as well as Japan, but they are a start. They at least introduce newcomers to the idea of growing a miniaturized tree in a pot. It is then up to the individual to read books, join clubs and meet other bonsai enthusiasts in order to learn and improve their skills.
As your knowledge and enthusiasm grows, you will surely become more ambitious and begin to create your own bonsai from native plants. You will find the art of bonsai a hugely absorbing and satisfying pastime that will give years of pleasure.
Grow a bonsai tree from tree seeds and cuttings.
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