Cultivating Bonsai Trees
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Bonsai tree cultivation is a Japanese tradition for hundreds and hundreds of years. Translating literally to “tray planting,” growing a bonsai tree involves actively shaping a tree into a dwarfed, artistic version of itself. A bonsai tree is not a special dwarf or hybrid species of a common tree; they’re genetically identical to their bigger relatives. It’s the careful cultivation that keeps these trees small. However, the trees are not sick or damaged. In fact, given the proper attention, the dwarfed version of a tree can live longer than the same tree if it was allowed to grow in the wild.
Bonsai trees can either be grown from seeds or from cuttings of trees, and they usually range from two inches to three feet in height. They are kept miniture through pruning both branches and roots. Additionally, new growth is frequently pinched off when they are repotted periodically.
There is a much about art as there is about horticulture in the growing and cultivating of bonsai trees. Bonsai trees are not only kept miniture, they are also shaped into pleasing forms. They frequently follow a number of different growth patterns, from elaborate waterfall shapes cascading down over their pots to simple triangular pattens. The various shapes are normally a product of both the pruning of the tree and by the use of wrapping the branches and trunk with wire, shaping the tree into its desired form. The pots themselves are part of the art as well, chosen to compliment the shape and color of the tree itself. Mosses and rocks are frequently added to the base for aesthetic appeal.
Care of a bonsai tree is more complicated than taking care of most houseplants. Since the bonsai, by definition, has has a smaller root system than most plants, it needs fertilizer and water more often than most garden-variety houseplants. Occasional pruning is also essential, since the bonsai tree would grow into just a normal size tree without pruning. Also, if wire is used to help mold and form the tree, it is important to take care that the wire doesn’t dig into the bark of the tree, scarring the branches permanently. Depending on the type of bonsai tree and your climate, you may be able to keep some bonsai trees outside year round, while others will need to be kept inside for at least part of the year. Moisture is also important, not only in the soil but in the branches and leaves of the bonsai. They need to be misted occasionally for the bonsai to develop healthily.
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