Growing Bonsai Trees

The art of cultivating bonsai trees has been 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 the same as their much taller relatives.  It’s the careful cultivation and shaping techniques that keeps these trees miniture is size.  However, the trees are not sick or damaged.  In fact, with the correct attention, the bonsai version of a tree can exceed the life expectancy of the same tree if it were grown in the wild.

Grown from seeds or cuttings, Bonsai trees normally grow from two inches to three feet in height.  Through pruning both roots and branches bonsai trees are kept miniture in size.  They’re also repotted periodically, and new growth is often pinched off. 

There is a much about art as there is about horticulture in the cultivating of bonsai trees.  Bonsai trees are not only kept small, they are also formed into pleasing shapes.  They frequently follow a number of different growth patterns, from elaborate waterfall shapes cascading down over their pots to simple triangular pattens.  The various shapes are normally a result of both the pruning of the tree and through the use of wrapping the trunk and branches with wire, pushing the tree into its desired shape.  Chosen to compliment the shape and color 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 if they are to develop healthily.