Growing Bonsai Trees
Bonsai tree cultivation is a Japanese tradition stretching back hundreds of years. Bonsai literally translates to “tray planting,” and involves actively cultivating trees into an artistic dwarfed version of themselves. Bonsai trees are not special hybrids or dwarf species of common trees; they’re genetically identical to their taller brothers and sisters. It’s the careful cultivation that keeps these trees miniture is size. Surprisingly, the trees are not damaged by this process, however. In fact, with the correct care, the bonsai version of a tree can exceed the life expectancy of the same tree if it were grown in the wild.
Bonsai trees can either be grown from seeds or from cuttings of trees, and they usually grow from two inches to three feet in height. Through pruning both branches and roots bonsai trees are kept small. They’re also repotted periodically, and new growth is frequently pinched off.
Growing and cultivating bonsai trees is actually as much about art as it is about horticulture. Bonsai trees are not only kept small, they are also shaped into pleasing forms. They frequently follow a number of different growth patterns, from simple triangles to waterfall shapes cascading down over their pots. The shapes are normally a product of both the pruning of the tree and by the wrapping the branches and trunk with wire, shaping the tree into its desired form. Chosen to compliment the color and shape of the tree itself, the pots are also part of the art of bonsai. Mosses and rocks are often added to the base for aesthetic appeal.
Cultivating a bonsai tree is more complicated than maintaining most houseplants. Since the bonsai, by definition, has has a smaller root system than most plants, it needs fertilizer and water more frequently than the majority of garden-variety houseplants. Pruining is also essential occasionally, since without pruning the bonsai tree would grow into just a normal large tree. 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. Since moisture in the soil, branches, and leaves of the bonsai is important, they need to be misted occasionally to remain healthy.