Cultural Information: What is bonsai?

You might have seen these small trees in some gardens, but not known what they were. The ancient art of bonsai has crossed over from the East into the Western World with many gardeners adding this creative and beautiful creation to their gardens. But where did the concept of miniature tree shaping and growing come from? Surprisingly enough, bonsai is not just for professional gardeners anymore--you can cultivate your own small garden in the privacy of your own home.

The word "bonsai" literally means a plant grown in a small tray or dish. It is pronounced "bone" and "sigh". The art of growing trees in pots began in Egypt over four thousand years ago, mostly for practical agriculture. To preserve various types of trees the art of transplantation was developed. This way the trees would survive and thrive as well as being available for transport to other farms and territories. The technique spread to Greece, Persia and India; eventually reaching China. The Chinese, however, were the first, in approximately 200 A. D., to begin planting trees in dishes purely for aesthetic purposes. The art soon spread to Japan, with Buddhist monks, a few centuries later. The art was becoming more refined, into the delicate creations we see nowadays.

There is no "right" or "wrong" tree to create a bonsai. While some types are more popular than others almost any tree or bush can become a bonsai with help and training. Some of the more popular and common types are the Japanese Black Pine, the 5 needle pine, and the Japanese maple. But others are joining the list, as more and more species are accepted as bonsai. These include tropical trees and plants such as the weeping willow and others.

You can either purchase a fully grown bonsai or attempt to grow one of your own. Growing your own miniature tree can be both frustrating and awarding as you follow its development from small plant to beautiful bonsai. If you go this way, be warned--the frustration level can prove to be high. But if you purchase a bonsai from the corner store, you might have just as much frustration trying to keep it alive. Many non--gardening stores do not have the facilities or the expertise to raise and maintain healthy bonsai.

If you choose a small seedling you will have to wait until the plant gains enough size to resemble a small tree. A larger plant will have a thicker trunk and therefore give you more of a treelike appearance; you will also have less chance to experiment or train tree. Both have their pluses and minuses, and you can create a wonderful bonsai either way.

One of the ways that young trees and bushes are shaped into the miniature creations is by carefully wrapping wire along the slender branches. This is to gently warp their growth into resembling the branches of a fully grown tree. Over time the wires are removed and the new growth is assured. Different branches can be trained this way to give the appearance of a regular tree. Careful pruning ensures that the illusion is complete.

Using delicate tools, the gardener also prunes and shapes the leaves on the tree to simulate its older brothers. With careful monitoring, your bonsai will achieve the appearance you desire within a few years. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your point of view, creating a beautiful bonsai can be a lifetime experience.

At the base of many bonsai are delicate mosses, helping create the illusion of regular grass and enhancing the image of the tree being part of a larger scene. Small stones and pebbles are also used to give the impression of large stones at the base of the tree. All these factors help to enhance the mirage of the bonsai, where pictures have to be put in perspective and you can be easily confused between the larger brothers of these trees and their much smaller kindred.

Often the elaborate pots used to shelter the bonsai are also handed down from the family; or fresh creations specifically for the purpose to display these delicate trees in a suitable environment. Many bonsai are also handed down from generation to generation as these tiny marvels outlive their original owners.

The art of bonsai has many fans and many clubs are available for the amateur to discover this wonderful gardening skill.

This wonderful art form can be displayed indoors or outdoors depending upon your location. Anyone can enjoy these beautiful creations with the Internet or the many books available on the subject. The art of miniature tree growing and cultivation will certainly live on for many more decades, as more people learn the creative and delicate art of bonsai.