Basic Information About Bonsai Trees

bonsai trees

While the origins of how to create and nurture a bonsai tree come from China the actual name of these potted trees comes from Japan, in fact the word bonsai refers to a small potted tree. The cultivation of such beautiful trees was actually started by wealthy Chinese people who lived during the Han Dynasty which was famous because it lasted for about 400 years in many of the arts flourished during this period.

The Art of miniaturizing this beautiful trees was passed on from generation to generation and continued in other countries such as Korea, Japan and Vietnam. The process of miniaturizing these plans is actually very intricate due to the fact that they are not naturally small, in other words the seeds and plants used to create bonsai trees are not genetically dwarf, instead their size is modified through pruning and what they use of wires.

Literature which describes the entire principle of a miniature garden was developed by the Japanese monk Kokan Shiren, these principles included what is called bonseki which is the principle of creating miniature landscapes on black lacquer with the use of stones, pebbles and other materials.

The stick and yet beautiful shapes of traditional bonsai trees are actually achieved through techniques applied during the process of cultivation, the two most popular techniques used to create beautiful bonsai trees are called jin and shari. The first method which is known as “jin” consists of removing the bark from an entire tree branch in order to create the illusion of a snag of deadwood, the physical appearance of the tree changes as this technique is applied. This technique which is called “shari” involves stripping bark from areas of the trunk which emulates the look of natural scarring which is normally acquired by trees after it loses one of its limbs or its stroke by a lightning.

Not every type of seed can be used in order to create a beautiful looking bonsai tree, the best seeds used to create these trees are: Trident maple seed, hedge maple, field maple, Japanese maple, vine maple, red maple, Barberry, strawberry tree, Bougainvillea, Cedar, Hinoki Cypress, Fig, ginkgo, olive tree, etc.

The list shown above only includes a few of the many types of seed and trees which are actually perfect for bonsai tree cultivation and the appearance will obviously change from one type of tree to another. Due to the many physical differences between one tree to another those who have adopted the creation of bonsai trees as a pastime have also decided to create entire miniature gardens using different types of bonsai trees.

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Some Basic Care for Your Indoor Bonsai

indoor bonsai trees

How do you describe an indoor bonsai? Is it a bonsai tree grown in a greenhouse, or one that is grown inside your house, or an outdoor plant that was brought indoor every winter? Regardless where they are grown, bonsai trees have the same requirements. Although they are miniaturized trees, like any other tree, they need adequate sunlight exposure which is the primary concern for an indoor bonsai.

Most indoor bonsai trees come from species that are indigenous to subtropical or tropical regions. The plant should be placed in a well-lighted area of the house where there is enough light, usually near the window. Since it is the nature of the plant to seek where the light is coming from, it is important to rotate the plant so that the branches will grow equally and become easier to train. Although these trees can be grown and trained indoors all year round, it is advisable to bring tropical bonsai trees outdoors during summer and be kept strictly inside the house during winter.

Some people don’t realize that the natural light entering their house is still not enough to stimulate the plant to synthesize its required energy. If you lack sufficient light for your bonsai, you can supply this need by placing a fluorescent lamp over it. The lamp should be about six inches above your plant. You can use an inexpensive twin forty watt bulb. To augment sunlight especially during winter, turn on the lamp for 12 hours.

Meanwhile bonsai trees that are produced from temperate species should be kept in a period of dormancy every autumn in order to survive. They should be kept in a cool and strongly lit room. 

Another vital element of basic care for indoor bonsai is water. Knowing how often you need to water your plant is very crucial. You can determine if your plant needs water by scratching the soil using your finger. If it is still moist, then it doesn’t need water. You can also plant a wooden stick in the soil and leave it there. To know if you already need to water your bonsai, pull the stick and check whether it is moist or dry.

Water your bonsai tree overhead. Allow the water to be absorbed by the plant for a few seconds before pouring another splash of water.

Giving your bonsai plant fertilizer is the third important part basic care. You can give feed in a schedule by following the manufacturer’s directions. You may start fertilizing when your bonsai is actively growing to augment its increasing needs. 

Follow these tips in taking care of your indoor bonsai. Choose a species that can easily be grown indoors.

Tags: Basic, Bonsai, care, Indoor, Some