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An Introduction to the Bonsai tree

There are many myths which are associated with bonsai. This not only confuses budding enthusiasts, but also gives the pastime a bad name. A bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant and is not kept small by cruelty in any way. The techniques of Bonsai are no crueler than that of any other horticultural endeavor. In fact, given an adequate supply of water, air, light and nutrients, a properly maintained bonsai should outlive a full size tree of the same species. It is a common belief that bonsai are only a few centimeters tall. This is not entirely true, although bonsai are small in comparison to their huge life-sized brothers; most are over 20 centimeters tall and up to 1 to 1.2 meter in height.

How to develop a Bonsai There are different ways to develop a Bonsai. Bonsai can be developed from seeds or cuttings, from young trees or from naturally occurring stunted trees transplanted into containers. Most bonsai range in height from 5 centimeters to 1 meter. Bonsai are kept small and trained by pruning branches and roots, by periodic repotting, by pinching off new growth, and by wiring the branches and trunk so that they grow into the desired shape.

Bonsai are ordinary trees or plants, not special hybrid dwarfs. Small leafed varieties are most suitable, but essentially any plant can be used, regardless of the size it grows to in the wild. The bonsai may suggest many things, but in all cases must look natural and never show the intervention of human hands, with the exception of Chinese bonsai which in many cases depicts images of dragons and other influential symbols of the culture at the time of origination. Grown in special containers, bonsai are primarily kept outdoors (with the exception of some plants suited, trained and grown indoors), although they are often displayed on special occasions indoors.

The bonsai with its container and soil is physically independent of the earth since its roots are not planted in it, is a separate entity, complete in itself, yet part of nature. A bonsai tree should always be positioned off-center in its container, for not only is asymmetry vital to the visual effect, but the center point is symbolically where heaven and earth meet, and nothing should occupy this place.

Prized possession Given proper care, bonsai can live for hundreds of years, with prized specimens being passed from generation to generation, admired for their age, and revered as a reminder of those who have cared for them over the centuries. Although these bonsai are extremely beautiful – meticulously cared for over the years and containing such a wealth of knowledge, age is not essential. It is more important that the tree produce the artistic effect desired, that it be in proper proportion to the appropriate container, and that it be in good health.

Overall, bonsai are something that are quite personalized and there are no strict rules to abide by if you undertake it merely as a hobby which to gain enjoyment out of. It does not have to be an expensive commitment, but it is a commitment that requires a great amount of time, patience, skill and endurance. Although things may not go to plan, don’t give up.

About the Author

Bonsai: Special Techniques Plants and Gardens (Bonsai Stylese, Culture, Care Wiring) (Plants and Gardens: Brooklyn Botanic Garden Record, Vol. 22 No. 2 #51) Bonsai: Special Techniques (Bonsai Styles, Culture, Care, Wiring)…

The Secret Techniques Of Bonsai $13.89 Buy and sell [The Secret Techniques Of Bonsai] at great prices.

Bonsai $7.48 "This authoritative work covers the techniques and art forms of bonsai. Most medium and large-sized libraries should consider for purchase."–Library Journal. "A book as elegant and precise as its subject….Lush color…itself a work of art"–Publishers Weekly.

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.

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.

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 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.

Indoor Bonsai $3.48 If your living room, bedroom, or kitchen is your garden, this beautifully photographed guide–written by North America’s foremost bonsai pioneers–will keep your miniature trees thriving. An illustrated guide to styles displays a wide range of possibilities, from slanting trees with gnarled trunks to a tiny "forest." See how to control airflow and humidity in the home and construct a sheltered growing chamber. Find out one expert’s tips for success, advice on artificial light, and suggestions on fertilizers and water. Grow from seeds and cuttings, combat pests and problems, master wiring techniques, and look at bonsai types from tropical blooming and fruiting to Texas ebony and succulents. Plus 100 plants that work well inside and a guide to ceramic containers to show them off.

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.

The Art of the Bonsai Potato $7.98 Instant Karma! Our original Bonsai Mini Kit has sold 600,000 copies. This tongue-in-cheek kit pokes fun at western culture’s twin desires for inner harmony and instant gratification. A Bonsai Potato grows in about a month. Miniature pruning shears and scissors are included to help your Bonsai Potato fulfill its true inner vision.

Art Of The Bonsai Potato $12.98 Our Bonsai Potato takes 4 to 6 weeks to grow, versus a lifetime for a traditional bonsai tree-and the potato does all the work, since it requires no sun, water, or fertilizer. This tongue-in-cheek kit is a humorous poke at Western culture’s desire for inner peace and tranquility coupled with our hunger for instant gratification and chronic lack of time. Now, at least a semblance of inner harmony can be achieved in a fraction of the time it takes to nurture a real bonsai. Potato not included.

Bonsai Master Class $19.48 Join the contemporary artists around the world who are refining and developing the ancient art of bonsai. Find out about state-of-the-art tools invented by Ken Moore. See how Rob Clausen uses latex and fiberglass to create dramatic groupings of trees on a rock base. Explore the breakthrough methods of Singapore’s bonsai masters, with inspiring examples of the results. Covering both basic and advanced techniques and illustrated with step-by-step photographs taken over months, Bonsai Master Class is designed to guide the reader on an artistic journey. It provides expert tips throughout on buying bonsai, seasonal care, horticultural requirements for different climates, and distinctive ways to display the results.

Indoor Bonsai for Beginners $12.98 Creating beautiful, healthy bonsai is a wonderful skill that anyone can learn, with a little time, patience, and this all-inclusive manual. With color photos and drawings to illustrate the points, it introduces all the cultivation techniques; offers expert advice on location, soil types, watering, and pest control; and provides intricate instruction on training the bonsai–including pruning, wiring and stretching it. An A-to-Z guide of all the popular species showcases varieties that range from a flowering Camellia Japonica, with its beautiful smooth stem, to an easy-to-care for Olive tree. Each entry gives some background on the plant, and includes suggestions for acquiring the bonsai and directions on how to position it in the room for best results.

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