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Choosing A
Bonsai
With so many types of Bonsai plants to choose from,
how can you tell which one is right for you?
Choosing The Bonsai For
You
As with a lot of
things in history, there is some disagreement as to who and when were the first to grow and cultivate the
magnificent Bonsai tree. Records indicate that the Bonsai was part of the Chinese culture over 1000 years ago.
There it was a simple tree taken from the wild and grown in a simple pot. According to ancient scrolls found
in Japan, the Bonsai movement had spread to Japan by 1193 AD. Originally the Bonsai was only found in revered places such as Buddhist
monasteries, but soon found acceptance with the Japanese aristocracies. The simple, unadorned, yet elegant Bonsai
began to be a symbol of the Japanese philosophy of life.
The Bonsai tree is
one of the very few ancient traditions that still survive today. Comparatively speaking the tradition of growing
Bonsais in the United States is relatively recent. One of the oldest known
specimens in this country resides in the National Arboretum in WashingtonDC. This tree is a 385 year old
Miyajima White Pine. Many people grow and nurture Bonsai trees in their
homes and gardens. Growing a Bonsai is a task that takes time and patience, as the tree not only needs to be
cared for it also needs to be pruned and trained. If you are considering joining the Bonsai movement then
there are a couple of things you should know before you select your first specimen.
There are two
types of trees that are used for Bonsai. Bonsai trees
will fall under either the classification of “Temperate” or “Tropical”. Temperate Bonsai are those that can tolerate the colder climates
of the world. These trees will have very shallow root
structures as compared to the tropical Bonsai.
Examples of a temperate Bonsai would be the maple or juniper trees.
Tropical Bonsai
trees can not tolerate the colder climates at all and should be always be protected from exposure to cold
weather. Frost can and will damage a Tropical Bonsai
tree. The ficus, serissa and bougainvillea are common examples of tropical Bonsai’s.
Recent changes in
global temperatures have shown that places that normally do not get cold, are now experiencing colder
temperatures. This fact should be taken into account
when selecting your Bonsai. If you have selected a
Tropical plant, then be prepared to move it indoors if colder weather is predicted. Temperate planting should not have a hard time adjusting to the
colder temperatures, however if extreme cold weather is predicted, move the planting indoors
temporarily.
If you plan to
keep you Bonsai permanently indoors, be sure to place it in an area that gets sun. Also remember that an indoor planting will require watering more
often then an outdoors planting. You have to compensate for the natural watering from rain and morning dew that
nature would provide if the plant were outdoors.
Part of the Bonsai
experience is in the pruning of the tree. If you have
a specific theme in mind for your tree, then select one that will naturally complement your concept. If you don’t
already have an idea for your Bonsai, you will find a multitude of books on the growing and development of a
Bonsai. For inspiration you may consider looking into the illustrated pictures from the world renowned Bonsai
artist, Matsahito Kimura. His work is truly
magnificent.
A final thought on
the Bonsai, “may both you and your Bonsai always prosper.”
Check your email
tomorrow for information on the correct way to prune your Bonsai.
See you
then,
Justin
Case
http://www.bonsai-hut.com
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