nav-left cat-right
cat-right

BONSAI TREE

It is believed the art of creating the bonsai tree was first practiced in China by monks more than a thousand years ago and it is the reproduction of natural forms in miniature.

Early specimens of the bonsai tree were based on gnarled trunks which were made to take on the appearance of dragons and birds; a Chinese bonsai tree is highly sought after even today because of the myths and legends surrounding this art form. See Bonsai Boy of NY for a huge assortment of bonsai trees and equipment.


Once the bonsai tree was introduced to Japan, the art form was refined. Over time, they were not just confined to the Buddhist monks and their monasteries, but later were used by the aristocracy as a symbol of prestige and honour. Bon in Japanese means “Tray” and “Sai” denotes planting or growing so put together it means tray planting.

Creating a bonsai tree is an art, where different species of plants are miniaturized and grown in a tray or a pot. The total artistic effect of a bonsai tree is very important and a well balanced result is regarded as a great feat.  Merely placing a stunted tree in a pot is not acceptable. A true bonsai tree is created when the plant is dwarfed by pruning the roots as well as the branches. The root growth and the growth above ground are balanced to give the desired shape. Other techniques like wiring the trunk and the branches with copper wire are also used to make the dwarfed bonsai tree look like the real mature specimen.

Try this book for a quick and easy guide to creating your
very own Bonsai Tree

Shaping starts even when the seedling is very young, and continues through to maturity. Some specialist tools are required when growing a bonsai tree, the basic ones being pruning scissors, wire cutters and wire.

Juniper Bonsai Tree
When growing a bonsai tree you can start from either seeds or from  cuttings, with the best results coming from seed. There are several styles of bonsai so select a tree that suits the style you wish to create. The choice of pot is also an important consideration and should create a pleasing whole with the bonsai tree. Re-potting is usually required every couple of years depending on the species.

When watering you should be very careful, the bonsai tree should be watered frequently in small quantities. Special soil should be used for growing the bonsai tree, not the normal soil used for houseplants. It needs to have good drainage as the plants don’t like to have “wet feet”.

The application of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid is essential for a healthy bonsai tree, especially during spring and autumn. Humidity and sunlight are also needed, so try and provide sun for a few hours, so long as the bonsai tree is not an indoor type.

Bonsai Tree Supplier