Bonsai Tree Cultivation
November 15th, 2008 at 01:31am Under General
The art of cultivating bonsai trees has been a Japanese tradition for hundreds and hundreds of years. Bonsai literally translates to “tray planting,” and involves actively growing and shaping 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 much taller relatives. It’s the careful cultivation that keeps these trees small. Surprisingly, the trees are not damaged by this process, however. In fact, given the correct attention, the dwarfed version of a tree can live longer than the same tree if it was allowed to grow in the wild.
Grown from seeds or cuttings, Bonsai trees usually grow from two inches to three feet in height. They are kept miniture through pruning both branches and roots. 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 growing and cultivating of bonsai trees. Not only are bonsai trees 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 usually a product 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 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 cultivating most houseplants. Since the bonsai has has a smaller root system than most plants, it needs water and fertilizer more often than most garden-variety houseplants. Pruining is also essential occasionally, since without pruning the bonsai tree would grow into just a normal size 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. Moisture is also important, not only in the soil but in the branches and leaves of the bonsai. They need to be misted occasionally for the bonsai to remain healthy.
By writer Add comment