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What Is A Bonsai?
Intro, what is a bonsaiYou've most likely seen bonsai trees before, on TV or movies, or in someone's garden. Bonsai trees are trees grown in containers, that have been pruned and shaped for aesthetic purposes. Many bonsai trees are miniaturized trees, but there are some examples of larger bonsai trees as well.
Bonsai is an art that began in China, around 200 AD, used by herbal healers to transport medicinal plants. The practice of growing the miniature trees later spread to Japan and Korea. Wealthy families in Japan cultivated trees such as maple and azalea as a pasttime.
You'll find bonsai trees in many shapes, sizes, and species now. Both evergreen and deciduous trees are used. Some are suitable for indoor displays, while others are best planted outdoors. Different styles of bonsai include slant, formal upright, informal upright, raft, cascade, and forest.
Upright bonsai usually have straight trunks, although they can have bends and curves. The apex of the tree is over the roots. Slant style bonsai trees also have straight trunks, but the trunk is slanted, so that the apex of the tree is to the left or right of the roots.
Raft style bonsai trees mimic a tree that has fallen over due to erosion or other factors, with branches along the exposed side of the trunk. Cascade style trees mimic those growing on the side of a mountain, or over water. A forest style bonsai is a grouping of bonsai trees, usually an odd number, in a pot. The different sizes and ages of the trees provide visual interest to these groupings of trees.
Bonsai is an art that began in China, around 200 AD, used by herbal healers to transport medicinal plants. The practice of growing the miniature trees later spread to Japan and Korea. Wealthy families in Japan cultivated trees such as maple and azalea as a pasttime.
You'll find bonsai trees in many shapes, sizes, and species now. Both evergreen and deciduous trees are used. Some are suitable for indoor displays, while others are best planted outdoors. Different styles of bonsai include slant, formal upright, informal upright, raft, cascade, and forest.
Upright bonsai usually have straight trunks, although they can have bends and curves. The apex of the tree is over the roots. Slant style bonsai trees also have straight trunks, but the trunk is slanted, so that the apex of the tree is to the left or right of the roots.
Raft style bonsai trees mimic a tree that has fallen over due to erosion or other factors, with branches along the exposed side of the trunk. Cascade style trees mimic those growing on the side of a mountain, or over water. A forest style bonsai is a grouping of bonsai trees, usually an odd number, in a pot. The different sizes and ages of the trees provide visual interest to these groupings of trees.
Contents at a Glance
Choosing A Bonsai
Factors to consider in choosing the right bonsai tree
A lot of factors need to be considered in choosing a bonsai, including climate, whether it will be indoors or outdoors, your level of experience, and your preferences.The climate is an important factor in choosing a bonsai, especially if it will be outside. You'll need to know the average temperature, the amount of sunlight, and the amount of rain. Once you know the average climate in your region, then you can use the information to help pick a bonsai that will grow well in your area. If you're going to grow the bonsai indoors, then the climate is not as much of a factor, but some plants will still do better if they are properly chosen for your climate.
If you've never raised a bonsai tree before, you'll want to choose a hardy tree. Bonsai are not the same as other plants. Experience in raising other plants will help, to be sure, but bonsai require their own special care. If you've raised several bonsai before, you may do well with a more delicate tree.
When looking for a bonsai, you'll want to decide on your preferences. Do you want an evergreen or a deciduous tree? Do you want a flowering tree? You will also want to consider whether you want a starter tree, which has not been pruned or wired, or if you want a tree that is already shaped and pruned for you.
Talk to bonsai experts in your area before deciding. They can help you to decide which tree is best for your needs, and they can give you tips on pruning and shaping the trees, and taking care of them.
Bonsai Books
You should always do some research before starting to grow bonsai trees. These bonsai books will give you some good information.
The Secret Techniques of Bonsai: A Guide to Starting, Raising, and Shaping Bonsai
Amazon Price: $20.88 (as of 12/01/2009) 
Juniper Bonsai Tree From Bonsai Boy
Amazon Price: $23.50 (as of 12/01/2009)
The Complete Book of Bonsai
Amazon Price: $27.60 (as of 12/01/2009)
Brussel's Jade Indoor Bonsai Tree in Water Pot
Amazon Price: $42.00 (as of 12/01/2009)
The Art of Natural Bonsai: Replicating Nature's Beauty
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/01/2009)
Caring For Bonsai
Some tips on caring for a bonsai tree.
Caring for a bonsai is not difficult, but you need to keep in mind that bonsai are trees, and need some care different than that of other plants.The most important aspect of caring for bonsai is proper watering. You'll need to take into account the type of soil and the species of tree that you're working with. Different soils absorb water differently, and different species of tree have different watering needs. You'll want to wash away dirt and dust from the leaves, since they help the tree to absorb water. Use gentle water pressure to water the bonsai, to avoid washing away the soil, and exposing the roots.
Be sure to check with a bonsai expert to determine what type of soil is needed for your particular tree. Generally speaking, for evergreens, the soil should be 30% humus, and 70% grit. Deciduous trees should have 70% humus and 30% grit. Keep in mind, these are general guidelines. You should do some research for your particular species of tree, and adjust the soil accordingly.
Proper pruning will help to keep the growth of the tree disciplined, and help to manage the nutrients that the roots draw from the soil. Pruning also keeps the tree growing in an aesthetically pleasing shape, rather than letting it grow wild.
Bonsai Care Video
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Bonsai Tools
Get to know the tools you'll need in pruning and shaping your bonsai.
If you're starting out with bonsai, only a few basic tools are needed to help you shape and care for your bonsai.A concave pruner is probably the most important tool. A concave pruner is designed to cut the branches of the tree in a manner that promotes quick healing of the wound.
Bud Scissors are a short bladed tool used to trim leaves, small branches, and buds from the tree. Because of its design, it can do delicate work, yet still have cutting power, to cut through small branches.
Bonsai wire cutters are used in cutting wire that is used in shaping the branches and the trunk of the tree. Regular wire cutters can be used to cut the wire before it is put on the tree. To cut the wire off of the tree, however, requires bonsai wire cutters, which can cut the wire without damage to the plant.
A knob cutter isn't used as frequently as a concave pruner or bud scissors, but is still a useful addition to your toolkit. The knob cutter can quickly remove large amounts of unwanted wood, but is precise enough to cut the trunk or branch of the tree into its final shape.
When you start, you can probably begin with just a concave pruner and a pair of bud scissors. As you gain experience, and start working more with bonsai trees, you'll want to add other tools to help you to care for and shape your bonsai trees.
Bonsai Tools
A good set of tools is essential in caring for a bonsai tree. These tools are ideal to get you started in the hobby.
Bonsai Tool Kit, Professional 8-Piece
Amazon Price: $245.99 (as of 12/01/2009)
Dallas Bonsai Garden's Novice Tool Kit - Plus - 9 Piece Japanese Bonsai Tools
Amazon Price: $84.95 (as of 12/01/2009)
Bonsai Tool 10-piece Set
Amazon Price: $55.99 (as of 12/01/2009)
Bonsai Tool Basic Set
Amazon Price: (as of 12/01/2009)
14-pc Bonsai Tool Set Carbon Steel
Amazon Price: $86.99 (as of 12/01/2009)
Pruning And Wiring A Bonsai
You can think of pruning a bonsai as similar to a haircut. When your hair gets too long, you may not look your best. By the same token, if a bonsai tree is allowed to grow wild, it will not have the desired look.Take a look at your bonsai, imagine a line around the tree and each clump of foliage that defines the shape that you want. Then, using a pair of bud scissors or a pruner, carefully remove any foliage that extends beyond that imaginary line. Just remove a little bit at a time, and take a look at the tree as you work, to ensure that you are maintaining the desired shape.
If a branch is growing where it is not wanted, you can either cut the branch off, or use wire to direct the branch to where you want it to be. If you want to bend the branch in a different direction, be gentle about it, to avoid damaging the branch, and be gentle when wrapping the wire around the branch. Think of the wire as braces on your teeth. The wire should exert a gentle pressure on the branch, to avoid damage.
Just as a haircut can make you look better, proper pruning and shaping of a bonsai can make it look much better.
Bonsai Photos
my father's bonsaithis bonsai is 100years old !!!!
Taxodium distichumFormal upright style12 years in trainingCourtesy of Bowie B...
From the OC Fair Bonsai room.
There's a small room with donated Bonsai trees at the conservatory. It's tiny, ...
National Bonsai and Penjing Museum
This is a bonsai exhibition that's been going on every year for about 56 years. ...
Some of the bonsai in the SBG's collection are almost a metre tall. Do they stil...
From the OC Fair Bonsai room.
curated content from Flickr
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- Eclectic_Muse Eclectic_Muse Jan 28, 2009 @ 7:02 am
- Great information! I tried doing a Bonsai before and failed. This lens has given me the nerve to try again. Thanks!
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- grandma_deal grandma_deal Jan 12, 2009 @ 9:38 am
- Very nice lens with good bonsai information and tips. Welcome to Bonsai Forever Group.
by blueberry
Raising bonsai trees is a fascinating hobby. Pruning, shaping, and caring for these little trees can provide hours of relaxation. (more)
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