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Following are the answers to questions
concerning to the art of Bonsai. Click on the questions to
find out the details. |
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What is Bonsai? |
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Bonsai consists of trees or bushes and
sometimes of perennial herbs found in fields and
mountains, which are artistically planted in small pot or
container, occasionally in combination with rocks of many
forms, so as to reproduce in miniature the lordly
appearance of large aged trees or landscape such as found
in nature. Hence they are quite different from ordinary
potted plants whose primary purpose is the enjoyment of
their leaves and blossoms. |
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What are the elements that make Bonsai? |
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The three elements of Bonsai are:
(1)
The containers in which trees are planted
(2) The
soil and
(3) The plants which are grown in the
containers
Of these three elements, the first two,
namely the containers and the soil put therein, represent
the earth and the plants represent the herbs, bushes and
trees that grow on the earth. In addition to plants, if
rocks are used, they serve as auxiliary natural features. |
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What are the necessary conditions of Bonsai? |
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As necessary conditions of Bonsai, the following six
may be listed:
| (1) |
The plant used as Bonsai in a
container must have all the vitality of a living
plant. Moreover, must it terminate in the top which
indicates the highest point of its growth. |
| (2) |
The trunk near the roots and the
main trunk above the ground must have all the aspects
of natural growth, in addition to the appearance of
age, characteristic of large trees that are several
decades old. |
| (3) |
The branches must be rich in variety and of
artistic appearance. |
| (4) |
There must be perfect harmony
between the shape of the container and the appearance
of the trees or herbs therein planted, so that the
over-all effect will be one of stability. |
| (5) |
The plants chosen must be of such a
species as exhibit all the variations that accompany
the changes of the season, so that they will yield
enjoyment to the eye all year round. |
| (6) |
Since all Bonsai growers value
nature, the plants must be so chosen that they will
betray only the minimum of artificiality. |
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What are the merits of Bonsai? |
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The purpose of Bonsai has always been the appreciation
of the total appearance of the plant. However, in viewing
Bonsai, the following points deserve attention as special
merits:
| (1) |
The condition of the root age, how
the main roots strikes the earth |
| (2) |
The appearance of the trunk as it
rises above the ground |
| (3) |
The curvature of the trunk |
| (4) |
The rugged appearance of the bark,
creating an illusion of great age |
| (5) |
The artistic appearance of the
branches |
| (6) |
The shape and color of the leaves,
as well as their changes in accordance with the
seasons |
| (7) |
The blossoms and fruits, together
with all their variations of shape and color |
| (8) |
The position and size of the top |
| (9) |
The condition of mosses that cover
the soil |
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What kinds of plants are fitted for Bonsai? |
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Generally speaking about 80% of the
trees can be used for the purpose of Bonsai. There are
many that have the dwarf nature and easily lend themselves
to growing as miniature plants or Bonsai. Other sources
like seeds, cutting, grafting, layering and other forms of
artificial reproduction methods must be used at present to
meet the demand for Bonsai plant. |
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What are the rules that Bonsai growers must bear in
mind? |
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| (1) |
The young plant must be planted in a
small container. If one finds a plant that seems
suitable for growing as Bonsai, whether it is a tree
or a perennial herb, it should be dug out of the soil
or purchased from the dealer, planted in a small
container from which water drains freely, given
plentiful water, and placed in semi-shade with weak
sunlight. |
| (2) |
The young plant should be placed on
an outdoor shelf and be watered. After the plant has
developed roots, it should be placed on an airy
outdoor shelf. Care should be taken not to place
Bonsai directly on the ground. The plant should be
exposed to plentiful sunlight. However, each time the
surface of the soil in the container becomes dry,
water should be applied without fail. |
| (3) |
Fertilizer should be given from time
to time. New buds should be pinched just about the
time the leaves take definite shape. Of course, all
insects and pests should be removed and in winter,
proper protective measures must be taken to prevent
the soil in the container from freezing. |
| (4) |
Transplanting should be done once in
every one to two years' time. It should be done in
spring just before the new sprouts come out. |
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Aren't Bonsai a great deal of trouble? |
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Of course, there is no end to the care
that may be bestowed on Bonsai. Still, all in all, Bonsai
require less attention that flowers grown in pots.
Especially after one has acquired the knack of tending
Bonsai, giving water when dryness of the soil requires it,
applying fertilizer before it is exhausted, pinching the
buds when they have grown oversize, etc. The work required
is not so time consuming if these operations are performed
with proper timing. Much needless labor can be eliminated
and moreover, the results can be quite satisfactory.
However, it must be borne in mind that Bonsai are plants
planted, not in the ground, but in small pots, so that
their care has certain rigid requirements as to time. If
there is no one to look after them all through the year,
or if they can be looked after only on Sundays, success in
this art could be extremely difficult. |
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How many years does it take to make a Bonsai? |
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The actual number of years required for
a given plant to develop into a Bonsai depends on a
multitude of factors, such as species, the technique of
developing its form and arranging its branches, the
environment, the care given to the plant, the ability of
the grower etc. |
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How many years do Bonsai last? |
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The age of a Bonsai depends on the
species and the care given it. However with the exception
of the bamboo species which are short lived (7 to 8 years
at most), there are few that wither within 50 years. With
proper care given at the proper time, all other species
last from 60 to 70 years and some even several centuries. |
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