The art of growing bonsai trees is an ancient Asian tradition. In Japanese, bonsai means “tray gardening”. There are traces of bonsais (trees or bushes grown in containers) in ancient Japan, China, and even Egypt.
In ancient times, trees were revered for their spirits. It was considered that the miniature tree would have concentrated the powers of the actual-size tree. Nowadays bonsai trees are admired for their beauty and aesthetic qualities.
Bonsai trees require a lot of care. The branches, leaves and roots need regular pruning to maintain the shape of the plant. Pinching is also required, and even the use of small wires to keep the branches growing in a certain way.
Because the root system is very small, bonsai trees need to be watered regularly and properly. They are also very sensitive to excesive heat (which makes water evaporate quicker), sun and wind.
Even just keeping a mature bonsai tree in its designed shape is an art. There are five basic styles for different types of bonsai trees: formal upright, informal upright, cascade, semi cascade, and windswept.
The cascade style is probaby the most interesting to display. The branches of a cascading bonsai tree eventually reach a level below the base of the pot.
For Japanese people, bonsai trees have a traditional aesthetic beauty. They are meant to evoke the spirit of their particular type of tree. The bonsai setting may also include the use of rocks, mountains or water features to recreate the typical surroundings of a actual tree of that kind in nature.
The art of bonsai also includes choosing the most appropriate bonsai for a particular environment. There are indoor and outdoor bonsais, and the Japanese placed them to suit the spirit of a certain space. Not all bonsai trees should be, according to this tradition, displayed in just any place.
A bonsai is a very elegant tree to display outdoors, and it makes an interesting choice for an indoor spot. Get yourself started today with a Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper (considered by some as the best bonsai for a beginner) and enhance the appearance of your chosen spot.
Related articles by Zemanta
- marvin minto fang: ‘a-sua’ and ‘bonsai (tree)’ (designboom.com)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=350539ee-cecc-432b-ac61-acc6e31210c1)
