An ancient Japanese art form, bonsai literally means to ‘plant in a tray’ and can be applied to any tree or shrub grown in a ceramic pot, then trained or…

The art of bonsai has been around for well over a thousand years. It first began around the year 700 AD, when the Chinese elite took to dwarfing native tree…

The Creative art of Bonsai

A lot of time went into creating your bonsai. Bonsai are known to live for many years, depending on the type of tree. There are severalrules to follow to keep your tree alive and well. Always remember that a bonsai is supposed to be a healthy tree and not a tortured/mistreated tree. Bonsai are normal size trees that will grow again to their original size if planted back in the ground.

Position – Most bonsai prefer to be kept outdoors, since they are normal trees. It is also easier to maintain and care for a bonsai outside. Make sure the tree receives enough morning sun (around 4-5 hours). However, several bonsai species (eg. Wild Fig, Brush Cherry, Serissa) can be kept indoors with the right care. The tree should be placed where it receives good natural light, but not directly against a window. Place it at least 30cm from a window. Keep the tree away from heaters or air conditioners.

Watering – Good common sense is needed when watering a bonsai. At no stage should a bonsai be bone dry, but neither should the soil be sodden for long periods. In summer, trees should be watered daily. Ensure that the tree has enough water in its soil to go through the day. The tree should be watered until the water comes out of the drainage holes of the pot. In summer the tree could be placed on a drip tray (humidity tray) filled with gravel and water. The pot must be on the gravel and not in direct contact with water. (Too much water could cause root rot.) Occasionally trees can be dunked in water for a few minutes. This ensures that the root base is watered thoroughly. If the trees are kept indoors, the tree should be taken outside and sprayed with water to get the dust off the leaves.

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Growing Bonsai in Containers

The art of bonsai (pronounced bone-SIGH) is much more than just planting a tree in a container – it involves an appreciation of art and nature and especially a love of trees. Growing and creating bonsai is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

This hobby of growing small trees in pots, originated in China and was perfected by the Japanese. Now bonsais are considered living works of art and showpieces in boardrooms and living rooms.

A few facts about Bonsai

• Bonsai range in size from a few inches to four feet tall.
• Any woody perennial plant with small enough leaves can be bonsai, even herbs such as rosemary. (more…)