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The Mystique of the Bonsai

Bonsai trees have always held a fascination for me. The first time I ever saw a sizeable collection of many varieties of species was at the Longwood Gardens in the Brandywine Valley in Pennsylvania. There was a whole room filled with them with tags on what kind they were and how old they were. I couldn`t believe that a tiny little tree could be over 100 years old and not more than 2 feet tall. There were also bonsai forests, trees grouped together with little rocks covered with moss. I tried to imagine how small I would have to be in order to view them as full size. I figured I`d have to be about 2 or 3 inches tall, a mini me. But what struck me most were the odd and unusual shapes of these cultivated trees. They were more than just exotic plants, they were actually like sculptures. There was something interesting to see from any angle of the tree. All were potted in artful ceramic planters worthy of the beauty of the trees themselves.

So it got me wondering about bonsais, the origin of this cultivation process, their longevity, and just how many kinds of trees can be trained to become a bonsai. What I found out is that this kind of cultivation first began in China more than a thousand years ago and the techniques at that time were rudimentary until it caught on in Japan.

There it was taken to a new level, taking on an art form that also incorporated their philosophy of harmony between man, the soul, and nature. There`s also an ancient Japanese scroll that said :”To appreciate and find pleasure in curiously curved potted trees is to love deformity”. Perfection was not at all the desired end result. The horticulturists of that time valued those dwarfed trees that had twisted and knarled formations both in the trunk area and on their branches. The best “knarling” I`ve ever seen by far were on the bonsai Redwoods. This type of tree is most popular in the California Bay area, the region of the giant Redwoods.

Also interesting to note is that in ancient times, the practice of cultivating bonsais was reserved for the upper class in Japan`s Kamakura period and it became a highly refined art form. Bonsais were displayed indoors on special

occasions by the Japanese elite. They were artfully displayed either in expert artisan crafted ceramic planters strategically placed or on specially designed shelves. Later on outdoor cultivation became more popular during the warmer months.

Over time many more species came to be cultivated and bonsai artists began to integrate their plantings with rocks, accent plants, and even mini buildings and people. By the mid 19th century world travelers discovered these marvels and its popularity spread even further to other countries. There began to be exhibitions in London, Vienna, and Paris. And today there`s even an international bonsai arboretum and bonsai exhibits throughout most of the

larger botanical gardens in many states and countries.

Many people who are garden and plant enthusiasts (myself included) like to have an array of colorful perennial blooming flowers and attractive trees and shrubs as part of their landscape layout. Indoor plants get our special attention because they are part of the ambience of our living space. That being said, passionate bonsai cultivators believe that having and caring for a bonsai is a personal experience, one which also brings satisfaction in sharing this interest with others. This is evidenced by the many symposiums and events geared to displaying the most magnificent accomplishments of bonsai cultivators.

Since they are now very available, we as admirers simply get to choose one or more species to bring into our homes. There are so many varieties to choose from now too. There`s some in the evergreen family such as the very sculptural looking Juniper, Blue Spruce, and the gorgeous Hinoki Cypress with its rich deep green hues. The there`s the bonsai Mimosa tress with their branches that have a delicate and lacy look to them. And of course, there`s the stunning flowering variety such as the Cherry, Winter White Jasmine, and the flowering Gardenia with blossoms that will fill your house with such a heavenly fragrance. Most suppliers of these lovingly cultivated and cared for trees will provide complete instructions on how to care for each species that you choose to have. Remember, they`re not just generic house plants, they are more like plant art. So enjoy visualising having one in your home. To find out more about the different species and to see some lovely bonsai images, check out the site in the bio box.

About the Author

Louise Green is a freelance writer and researcher. With a passion for the outdoors and gardening, her site
http://www.direct-supplies.com/gardengirlloves/bonsaiboy focuses on the exotic nature of bonsai trees and provides beautiful images and useful information about bonsai gardening.

Corona Clipper Bonsai & Orchids Mini Shear With Vinyl Coated Steel Handles FS 4310 $13.45 The Corona Clipper mini shear is a small and easy to handle tool for the delicate pruning of flowers and houseplants. It features forged steel alloy blades designed to stay sharp, and its compact design is perfect for smaller hands. Perfectly suitable for right or left-hand use, its narrow re-sharpenable blades work perfectly on delicate plants such as orchids and even bonsai trees. The mini shear…

Bonsai Tree Growing Kit – Japanese Black Bansai Trees – Grow Bansais from Seed To Saplings – Kit Includes Seeds, Instructions, More. $10.95 The Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Tree Kit is the easiest and least expensive way to start bonsai trees from scratch. The high quality seed means you always get a tree and don’t have to be a horticultural expert. Everything you need to start a healthy tree is included in this kit. The Japanese Black Pine Bonsai can be shaped through it’s entire life span as you start it from seed. The Black Pine ha…

Indoor Beginner’s Bonsai – Mini Aromatic & Herbal Bonsai Tree – for Home or Office Tabletop Display $18.50 This is a very unique indoor bonsai listing; in fact this is the most highly recommended first bonsai tree for those who want to jumpstart your bonsai hobby journey. This tiny-narrow-leaf, somewhat reddish woody trunk evergreen bonsai is one of the very few herbal plants that would spice up your kitchen. Some people have used its leaves to add flavor in tea and cooking; while others may use its sm…

JoeBonsai Tree Mighty Mini 10 Turntable $8.95 This is a 10-inch diameter Bonsai turntable. Great for any bonsai pruning job from the smallest up to 200 lbs.! (Trust us…we have tested it) This small turntable is incredibly strong–that’s why we call it mighty mini…. You can use this turntable inside or outside. It has 12 stainless steel ball bearings that will never rust and has very smooth movement. The surface has a “tread” so there is…

Bonsai Tree Deluxe Long Handle Apprentice Kit with Tool Wrap $69.95 Our Deluxe Apprentice Kit comes with a 3 piece garden tool set, long handled Japanese shears, a broom, a rake, a tweezer blade, and a cool tool wrap to keep them all in. Everything you need to get started in the art of bonsai….

The Mini Bonsai Kit $4 Buy and sell [The Mini Bonsai Kit] at great prices.

Bonsai from Native Trees and Shrubs $5.98 Bonsai from Native Trees and Shrubs by Werner M. Busch New Ed Published in 1998 by Sterling Pub Co Inc

Successful Bonsai $15.98 An essential reference for growing indoor and outdoor bonsai. The popularity of raising exotic miniature trees continues to grow, with bonsai gardeners cultivating tropical and subtropical species. Successful Bonsai is an essential reference, providing a wide range of bonsai styles and shapes, along with step-by-step instructions and illustrations that expertly guide the gardener through the many pruning and wiring techniques. This easy-to-use book explains how to grow bonsai both indoors and outdoors; features an illustrated A-Z list of bonsai species with detailed descriptions of 80 plants, including 15 classic species; and recommends a proven pruning regimen. It includes information on: Choosing appropriate training styles Cultivating and propagating Dealing with diseases and pests Shaping an established plant Sowing seedlings Building a collection. Successful Bonsai is not only an informative and practical guide, but also a superb source of inspiration. It will instill confidence in the beginner and spark the imagination of the experienced bonsai artist.

Beginning Bonsai $5.48 Writing for those with no bonsai experience, Larry and Shirley Student cover everything from buying the first plant to creating a miniature landscape of rocks, grasses and trees. In between, they describe different bonsai styles, list important tools, explain pruning and pinching and introduce procedures like defoliation. In short, the authors cover all aspects of bonsai, anticipating common problems and offering practical advice gained from years of working with plants.Kurt Seastrand, past president of the Northeast Bonsai Association raves, "A wonderful book for anyone intrigued by bonsai but hesitant to start. It provides the beginner the excitement and confidence to launch into this fascinating hobby."

The Complete Book of Bonsai $28.98 Presenting a unique blend of information and ideas, The Complete Book of Bonsai is a comprehensive, practical guide to the traditions and artistic principles of growing and maintaining bonsai trees. Over 300 bonsai trees and shrubs are described, over 100 of them in an outstanding full-color photographic catalogue.

Practical Bonsai $12.98 These ornate, exquisitely formed trees are not merely plants but elaborate works of art. This book demystifies the intricate process of bonsai with 50 projects ranging from how to start the training process, to looking after a 10-year-old tree. A wealth of advice on seasonal tasks, plant maintenance, tools and materials, together with ideas for displaying bonsai, help you master an intriguing and satisfying art.

The Bonsai Specialist $9.98 With topics ranging from watering and feeding to spirit and aesthetics, this is an all-in-one guide to the art of the bonsai. It features advice on looking for and raising trees; handling pests and diseases; using composts; potting; choosing containers; pruning the plants; and displaying them. A convenient A-Z guide covers virtually every species of indoor and outdoor tree.

The Bonsai Kit $3.48 This kit is a splendid introduction to the ancient art of growing mature, reduced-scale trees in small spaces. An engrossing horticultural project sure to captivate any level of gardening enthusiast, bonsai involves training and trimming trees over time to simulate weathering, age, twisting, cascading, and other natural conditions. Bonsai expert Robert W. King discusses all the basics, from root health to branch pattern and placement, in a 96page book. Includes two pots, peat pellet, scissors, potting stones, seeds, and flexible wire used to shape, position, and train branches — everything needed to nurture a tree that, whether sensually windswept or formally upright, is a beautiful work of living art. Robert W. King lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He has been president of the Brandywine Bonsai Society since 1998, and has taught bonsai extensively, including an introductory course at Longwood Gardens. King received the American Bonsai Society’s Ben Oki Award for excellence in dedication, education, and leadership.

Indoor Bonsai $3.48 "[An] excellent guide."–The New York TimesOne of the world’s recognized experts on bonsai explains everything the indoor gardener needs to know about cultivating these living works of art. Exquisite color pictures showcase a selection of perfect specimens, beautifully shaped tiny trees as lush and thriving as the ones outdoors. And they’ll last through every season and for years to come with this superb advice on choosing a plant or starting from seed; optimum conditions for growth; feeding, watering, and care; handling pests and diseases; and shaping, wiring, and pruning. There’s an illustrated list of indoor species (including tropical and subtropical varieties), directions for repotting and root pruning, and invaluable commentary on hydroculture. This is a must-have for all bonsai lovers.

Mini Bonsai Kit $7.98 With this kit, complete with a 32page book explaining bonsai gardening, an instruction sheet, a small pot, a peat pellet, a packet of seeds, and a pair of scissors, indoor gardeners can grow a peaceful mini-garden anywhere they choose. Whether it’s on a desk or in a kitchen, this little bit of greenery will brighten up the day-just add water! Also available in a full-size kit

Pop Bonsai $15.98 So what exactly is "pop bonsai"? Bonsai like you’ve never seen before-a "freestyle" version, in fun containers, that reflects the author’s breakaway approach to this ancient art. Pop Bonsai involves taking a tiny seedling, trimming its branches and leaves, and wiring the trunk and branches to bend them into almost any style. The result: a living work of art, for next to no cost, to display as you like-in a ball of moss, on a can of beer, even in a pair of shoes or an eggcup! Naturally this does require some basic bonsai techniques, and advice on looking after plants. But in contrast to classical bonsai, where the aim is carefully to reproduce natural scenery in miniature, pop bonsai stresses the imagination and creativity of people living modern lives. Throughout, Pop Bonsai takes a no-fuss approach. Almost any kind of tree or foliage plant can be used, and you’re encouraged to grow it from scratch. Before starting, you are told what you should know about trees in general, with hints on choosing the right one for your purpose. Instructions on care and maintenance-soil, temperature, pruning, watering and fertilizers-are provided in a sensible, easy-to-follow way that should take the tension out of "gardening" even for those who have never tried it. In your own home or on a balcony or at work, pop bonsai will let you enjoy the wonder of the changing seasons close-up, and remind you how precious and fragile life can be. But, cared for properly, your tree should live for decades. And in the process it will give you a taste of the enormous satisfaction to be gained from creating, and watching over, your own living work of art.

The Secret Techniques of Bonsai $21.98 In The Secret Techniques of Bonsai, the author of the groundbreaking Bonsai With American Trees teams up with his son to offer not only the basics for creating perfect bonsai, but also secret techniques they’ve developed over years of careful work and observation. The Kawasumis provide detailed, easy-to-follow information about growing bonsai from seedlings or beginner plants; expert advice on shaping, pruning, training, grafting and repotting trees; and new techniques for using tools. And, although the Kawasumi family is worldrenowned for their bonsai tool design, their instructions allow gardeners to improvise with other readily-accessible bonsai, gardening or even simple workshop tools. Step-by-step photographs accompany the text, many in full-color. Masakuni Kawasumi III, the first qualified tree doctor for bonsai in Japan, contributes his unique insights to make this an invaluable resource for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike.

Miniature Bonsai $10.48 Unlike their larger relatives, these palm-size trees can be potted, shaped, and pruned in only an hour or two, are easy to manage, and require little space. “A guide for the novice that explains the preparation, watering, weeding and seasonal care of bonsai as well as which pests and diseases may affect the plants….A list of 200 plants presents specifics.”—The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Bonsai: 2005 Wall Calendar $11.99 “Developed by the Japanese over a thousand years ago, the art of growing bonsai trees has become a popular hobby throughout the west. This calendar features a dozen of these amazing, dwarfed trees and shrubs. Photography by Marc Solomon.”

The Bonsai Bear $13.48 Issa is the greatest bonsai master in all of Japan. With his special techniques, he is able to make trees stay small and perfectly shaped. His wife Kyomi is skilled in the arts of painting and weaving, so their lives are filled with beauty. But something is missing: they have no children. One day, they receive an unusual gift, an orphan bear cub. They quickly fall in love with the delightful little bear and name him Doukeshi. Since the Emperor forbids the keeping of wild animals, Issa uses bonsai techniques to prevent the tiny bear from growing. Issa even tries to make him look like a cat so no one will notice. Kyomi wants Doukeshi to grow so he can run freely in the forest. But Issa loves him too much to let him go. Finally, the God of Bears visits Issa in a dream and shows him that the greatest love is allowing Doukeshi to return to his wild nature.

Classic Bonsai of Japan $56.98 Enter the fascinating world of bonsai, the centuries-old gardening art form of cultivating trees as potted plants. Refined to a high art in Japan, bonsai offers not only the familiar gardening delights but also, at its highest levels, a philosophical and aesthetic communion with nature. Here in CLASSIC BONSAI OF JAPAN, the Nippon Bonsai Association, Japan’s preeminent voice of the bonsai tradition, introduces a collection of the finest bonsai pieces to be found in Japan today-some of them presented to a Western audience for the first time. Over 130 full color and 48 black-and-white plates of priceless specimens with informative commentary provide a definitive tour of the bonsai world-from a 15-year-old flowering cherry to a majestic 1,000-year-old Yezo spruce. The notes for each piece offer insights into the balance, style, harmony, and overall aesthetic effect along with comments on the history of its cultivation at the hands of several generations of bonsai masters. John Bester brings his intimate knowledge of Japanese culture and sensibility to an elegant interpretation of bonsai art specifically adapted to Western readers. Essays on appreciation, history, and aesthetics further invite readers to enjoy this "natural" art on an informed level. A feast for the eyes as well as a lasting monument to the history of an artistic tradition, this deluxe volume is sure to delight the bonsai enthusiast, garden hobbyist, lover of things Japanese-indeed anyone with an interest in looking at art and nature in unison.

Bonsai with Japanese Maples $25.48 With their delicate foliage, seasonal color changes, and intricate pattern of branching, Japanese maples are among the most popular and suitable plants for bonsai design. In this long-awaited book, internationally renowned expert Peter Adams discusses both the specific horticultural needs of Japanese maples as bonsai subjects and illustrates proven techniques for creating and maintaining beautiful specimens. Although aimed at an audience that has some familiarity with bonsai techniques, the book deliberately shows a mix of bonsai at different stages in their training, so that less experienced enthusiasts can gain new ideas and inspiration from trees that are "works in progress." Much more than a mere "how-to" book, Bonsai with Japanese Maples is a forthright attempt to look at bonsai as art objects and to critique and assess them from an artist’s perspective.