BONSAI Trees Mastery - Different Styles In Bonsai GARDENING

A Seiju elm (Ulmus parvifolia 'Seiju') bonsai display on display at the 2009 annual show of The Bonsai Society of Greater Hartford. The display includes a number of elements of traditional bonsai presentation: the tree is in a ceramic pot on a decorative wooden table, and the display area includes a shitakusa (companion planting) of miniature hosta and a kakemono (hanging scroll).  
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We all know about the basic Bonsai gardening, but that's just the beginning. To really own a masterpiece Bonsai, one must require good styling skills. Styling in Bonsai trees can be broadly categorized according to the number of trunks the tree has. This can be divided into a single trunk and multiple trunks.

Single trunk styling

The single trunk styling in Bonsai can be further classified into four types namely, Formal upright, Slanting, Cascade, and Twisted style.

Formal upright bonsai gardening

The formal upright style is also called the Chokkan style. This style is adopted only by experienced Bonsai artists. If you are a beginner you are advised not to go for this style. The Chokkan style is considered the most complex style of Bonsai trees. Tachiki, Hokidachi, Sabamiki, Saramiki, Sekijoju, Ishitsuki, and Nagari are some of the subcategories in the Chokkan style.

Bonsai gardening style for beginners

The slanting style called the Shakan style is more common for beginners to use. In the slanting style, all the branches can come to one side of the trunk (windswept style) or a few branches will come out of the top while the main trunk is long.

Cascade style conifer
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cascade style of Bonsai gardening

The Cascade style or the Kengai style has the bottom trunk below the pot. The other trunks are formal upright. Two subcategories called the Formal cascade and the Semi cascade are available in this type. These are also called the Dai Kengai and the Han Kengai.

Twisted style of Bonsai Gardening

The twisted style is called the Bankan style, which is a favorite of the Chinese. This style is referred to as the dragon style, as the tree coils itself like a dragon. Subcategories to this style include partially twisted and the octopus style (where the branches twist around themselves).

Multiple trunks style

The multiple trunks style simply means this Bonsai has multiple plants in the same pot. The styles in these types include Soju style, Yose style, and the Korabuki style.

Soju style

with Soja style, there are two trunks in a pot.

Yose style

Bonsais With more than two trunks are categorized as the Yose style. The Yose style also varies depending on the number of trunks that are available in the pot. 3, 5, 7, and 9 trunks are called, Sambon Yose, Gohon yose, Nanahon yose, and Kyuhon yose respectively.

Korabuki style

There are styles where the different trunks arise from a single root. A style called the Korabuki style is also a part of the multi-trunk category. The style looks very different in that it looks as if the tree has fallen down and the branches of the tree look like individual trees.

Whatever be the style of your bonsai gardening it is necessary to maintain them properly with professional care.

Dave Green - Source: www.isnare.com Permanent Link: https://www.isnare.com/?aid=42304&ca=Gardening

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How To Properly Winter a Native Bonsai Tree

Photo: Flickr

Many people do not realize that most bonsai plants are outdoor plants. To properly cultivate and maintain most bonsai trees they should not be kept inside but should be outside year round. 

There is a group of what are called indoor bonsai trees. These are from warmer climates and are usually non-traditional species such as palm trees. Because they are from a warmer climate they do need to be kept indoors in most locales.

However, if you are keeping traditional native bonsai trees in the US then chances are that tree needs to be outside. Most people do not realize how important it is for these trees to be wintered outside in a natural climate. For your tree to have a healthy and natural growing cycle it is critical for it to have this period of winter dormancy.

To give your plant this necessary period you will need to winter it someplace outside. The best way to accomplish this is to remove the tree from its container and plant it in your yard. 

In most native trees the roots are the part of the tree that is most sensitive to the cold. Most plants will start experiencing root damage at about 23 degrees Fahrenheit. To help avoid root damage you will need to take the plant out of its container and then bury it in the yard or garden. 

If you bury the plant so that the bottom branches are just barely exposed this should help keep the roots below the frost line. You should bury it in a shaded area. During the winter days, the sun can cause the plant to lose its water and the frozen roots will not be able to replenish it.

If you do not have a yard to plant the tree in for the winter you can use a large container. A large container about the size of a vegetable crate should be sufficient. 

You bury the plant in the container just like you would in the yard. And set it somewhere outside where will be exposed to natural elements. If you use a container it is very important that you monitor the soil moisture closely and do not allow it to dry out.

You can also winter your tree in an attic or garage as long as it is not heated and has windows. Be sure to place the plant where it is exposed to the light from the windows. You will still need to water the plant almost daily if you choose this method. If you plant is a conifer you will want to rotate it about once a week to so that all sides of the plant will be exposed to the sunlight.

You can prepare your tree for its winter storage as soon as the last leaves have fallen off. At that time the plant is dormant and ready to be moved. 

In the spring you can remove it from the yard and place it back in a container as soon as you see the first buds appear. If you allow your plant to winter indoors they will bud early. When they bud early the days will still be too short for proper growth and the leaves will have long gaps between them.

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Bamboo BONSAI

Bamboo bonsai in Baihuatan Park, Chengdu, China. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bamboo bonsai is an extremely popular, easy to care for bonsai that allows growers of all skill levels work with a fast growing, beautiful plant. The most common type of bamboo bonsai found in homes is the 'lucky' bamboo, which is believed to bring luck to their owners. This variety of bamboo is hardy and can be grown indoors or outdoors, provided that the bamboo is protected against frost. Like most species of bamboo, the plant does not thrive well in places where frost occurs.

Frost damages the bamboo and stops its growth, often shocking and killing the plant. It is for this reason that many bamboo species cannot thrive in northern climates unless they are kept indoors.

For beginners, bamboo bonsai is extremely rewarding due to the fact that the plants are so quick to grow. A new grower can start a plant and see a large amount of growth within the first year of owning the plant. This lets the beginners experiment with wiring and caring for bonsai without having to wait for five to ten years to see the results of their efforts.

There are many places that you can acquire bamboo. You can purchase it at many stores carrying plants, buy new shoots online that can be grown and transplanted into bonsai pots, or you can cut shoots from other bamboo plants and transplant them to begin your new plant. How quickly the bamboo bonsai will grow and take root is based on the species of bonsai you are growing. Also, some species of bamboo will not take root as well from cuttings as others.

Bamboo bonsai uses many of the techniques for care that more difficult bonsai trees use. You will need the same types of tools to maintain them, and you can use the same style of wire to help guide the trunk and branches of the bamboo. When you are pruning bamboo, like many other bonsai trees, there is a certain time of year that pruning is best done at. When you prune your bamboo is dependent on the type of bamboo that you have. Each species of bamboo is different and requires different care. As many people own the 'lucky' bamboo, you will most likely want to prune your bamboo bonsai in the fall and winter, removing all of the leaves. If you are working with a dwarf bamboo, you will need to prune in the early spring before the new growth has occurred.

You can purchase your bamboo bonsai online or through a local nursery.

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Bonsai Soil And Additives

Bonsai Soil Mix - Photo: Wikimedia

Should I use a special Bonsai soil or just normal soil? 

The increased popularity of growing Bonsai trees and plants has brought with it many more specialist shops; the Internet being virtually awash with Bonsai supplies. As a beginner, it is usual for people to go out and buy everything they think they could possibly want to ever grow a Bonsai. However, there is a good chance you may not need it. You can buy Bonsai soil at very reasonable prices now, and this soil is mixed to a perfect combination of nutrients, soil and grit that will help your Bonsai grow, but many practitioners of the ancient art of Bonsai would probably consider this cheating. 

As a beginner, it is important that you do what you can to make your first Bonsai as successful as possible. Many people will throw in the towel after just one failure, and when you consider how long a Bonsai can take to reach maturity this really isn’t an overnight hobby. You must get into a regime of regular watering, annual potting and plenty of care and attention in order to be able to enjoy a beautiful Bonsai for your troubles. 

Is Bonsai soil expensive? 

Bonsai soil shouldn’t be costing you very much more than normal potting compost or bags of nutrient-rich soil that you use in your garden. A good Bonsai soil, however, may contain a long list of ingredients including clay, soil and even bark. Some of these ingredients are loaded with the nutrients that your Bonsai will thrive on, and paying that little extra can certainly promote good healthy growth from your beloved project. 

Whether you decide you want to use bags of Bonsai soil or make your own soil there are certain things you need to make sure of before planting your Bonsai in the soil. A good Bonsai soil needs to have excellent drainage to make sure the water can seep to the roots and out of the bottom of the soil and through the holes in your pot. It is a good idea to have two different soils, one coarser than the other. This way, the screened soil acts as a sort of irrigation for your plants. 

As well as this, you may want to consider buying nutrient supplements that you can add when repotting or mix with the soil that you use. However, if you are growing your Bonsai in a suitable area this isn’t always needed.

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Indoor Bonsai Tree Care

Photo: Pixabay

Properly caring for your Indoor Bonsai Tree is essential, but by simply following a few growing procedures, you can grow some really beautiful Bonsai Trees. If you merely keep these few basic tips in mind you should have no problem growing the indoor Bonsai Tree.

The First thing you should keep in mind when growing the indoor Bonsai Tree is choosing the right growing environment. Your Bonsai Tree should be kept in a room that is just the right temperature, not too hot and not too cold. In addition, the room should have a source of natural light. You will want to keep your indoor Bonsai Tree in a room with plenty of large windows to allow your tree to receive as much indirect sunlight as possible.

Another important factor in growing the indoor Bonsai Tree is using the correct soil. Not only do you want the highest quality soil available, but also you may need to use different types of soil for the various Bonsai Trees. The best way to determine which soil is right for the type of indoor Bonsai Tree that you intend to grow is to visit a gardening store and ask them. Make sure that you inform them exactly which type of Bonsai Tree you need the soil for.

Not applying fertilizer correctly can be devastating to your indoor Bonsai Tree. This is a common mistake for beginners. The indoor Bonsai Tree needs to be given a water-soluble fertilizer at various times. It is also important that the fertilizer is applied only when the soil is wet. In addition, it is recommended that you use the highest quality fertilizer available.

Watering your indoor Bonsai Tree correctly is easily one of the most important elements of growing the tree successfully. If you don’t water enough the tree becomes dehydrated and soon dies; watering too much drowns the tree with a similar result. A good rule to follow when watering your indoor Bonsai Tree is to wait until the soil begins to dry out but is not completely dry. At this point, you want to add enough water that it saturates the soil and seeps out the bottom. Don’t water again until the soil begins to dry out. 

Pruning the indoor Bonsai Tree is also important to successfully growing these trees. There are two different steps to pruning the Bonsai Tree. In the spring the branches of the trees should be trimmed, leaving only those branches you wish to keep. Root pruning should be done when the roots have bound up in the pot.

Once you have learned the basics of caring for the indoor Bonsai Tree, you will find these to be wonderful plants for your home.

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Vital Tools to Care for Your BONSAI

A Dwarf Japanese Juniper (Juniperus procumbens 'Nana') bonsai on display at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the United States National Arboretum. According to the tree's display placard, it has been in training since 1975. It was donated by Thomas Tecza. This is the "back" of the tree.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many bonsai tools that are used when designing and caring for your bonsai trees. These tools are vital to encourage the good health of your tree and should be used as frequently as needed to prune any dead or dying branches, care for the roots, and maintain the soil for your tree. For the novice, selecting which tools you need can be difficult.

There are many basic bonsai tools used to care for a tree, and these are typically sold as beginner sets. The four basic tools include a bonsai shear/scissor, a broom, a rake and tweezers. Typically, the highest quality tools for bonsai care are from Japan, where there are companies dedicated to the building of these tools.

When selecting your bonsai tools, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. First, the quality of the tools you purchase may affect how well your bonsai turns out. Low-quality tools run the risk of damaging your tree and leaving unpleasant looking scars on the bark of the tee. Low-quality bonsai tools tend to be duller, lacking the ability to cleanly shear when needed.

A clean cut is required when you're wanting to hide evidence that the tree has had branches removed unnaturally. When setting wires, good tweezers can make the difference between a good placement and your branch being scarred from bad placement of wires.

You can buy bonsai tools from all across the world, although the vast majority of high quality, recommended bonsai tools come from Japan. When you are purchasing your bonsai tools, you can purchase low-quality tools that are extremely inexpensive, or you can purchase high-end tools that are designed to last for years.

The primary difference in these tools is how well they do the job, and how long they last. With proper care, high-quality tools will never need to be replaced, as they will hold their edge for years. Low-quality tools tend to go dull quickly and run the risk of breaking while being used.

For advanced users, it is recommended that high-quality bonsai tools are exclusively used. For those who have worked with bonsai for many years, their toolset will be far more extensive, ranging from eight to twenty or more different tools for working with the various types of bonsai.

Bonsai tools can be purchased online, imported from Japan, or found at local garden and hardware stores.

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The Elegant Japanese Maple Bonsai

Japanese Maple Bonsai - Photo: Pixabay

If you are creative, growing the Japanese Maple Bonsai is a great way to make use of your creativity. When growing the Bonsai Tree, you have a variety of choices. The best choice for those who are just beginning to get into this hobby is the Japanese Maple Bonsai. 

The Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree is one of the most beautiful and elegant of the Bonsai Trees, and it is easy to grow and hardy. The official name for the beautiful Japanese Maple is Acer Palmatum. This species really is a great first choice for a Bonsai Tree. 

The typical outdoor maple grows to be very tall, but when pruned properly they make a great Bonsai Tree.

If you are going to buy a Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree, it is best to purchase one that has a trunk of at least four inches in diameter. With this starter, you can train the tree in a variety of different styles. You may also want to go with the Apex or Taper styles. If this were the case, you would need a Japanese Maple Bonsai that has one to two trunk chops.

Some great advantages to the Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree are that it is one of the more affordable Bonsai Trees, and this tree displays a magnificent array of red and purple foliage during the spring. This type of Bonsai Tree can either be grown from a seed, or you may also choose to buy a starter that is around 4 – 6 inches in height.

In addition to the indoor Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree, there is also a larger variety that may be used for an outdoor garden. One of the best things about this type of Bonsai Tree is that the color of the leaves changes frequently providing colorful and elegant beauty to your garden, indoors or out.

In the spring, the Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree has leaves that are bright red in color, but as they mature, they turn pink. During the summer the leaves take on a green color with pink tinges, and in the fall months, the edges of the leaves turn a dark pink-red color that soon spreads to the whole leaf. When all the leaves have changed, the Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree is solid scarlet, a really superb tree.

The Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree is a great way to start your Bonsai tree collection; it is not only one of the easiest, but one of the most beautiful as well.

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The Spectacular Maple BONSAI

5-year-old Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) bonsai of the "Informal Upright" style,
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The maple bonsai is one of the most spectacular styles of bonsai that can be grown. Typically grown outdoors, these trees provide a dazzling display of color in the spring and fall while providing a natural beauty in the winter months. These trees are typically considered delicate, requiring a certain style of care in order to properly endure. For example, like many other bonsai, the maple bonsai must be replanted once every year or two, dependent on the type of maple that you have.

Japanese maples tend to be used, as this species of tree is traditionally associated with bonsai growing. However, as the art of bonsai growth has evolved, other forms of maple bonsai have come to the forefront, especially in the United States and Canada.

When caring for a maple bonsai, you need to learn about maple trees in general. This will assist you in making the right decisions for caring for your bonsai. Important things that you should learn include the time of year the maple is dormant, what temperatures the maple can tolerate, and what pruning needs to be done in order to keep your tree healthy. A maple bonsai has the same core rules as a fully grown maple of the same species.

In addition to this, a maple bonsai needs additional care due to the fact that it is grown in such a small pot. Root maintenance and potting of the tree are two aspects not typically dealt with for maples, as these trees are usually grown to their full size. Root maintenance and proper trimming is a requirement in order to maintain the health of the tree. When looking for this information, you should use resources specific to the maple bonsai tree, as typical tree tending does not include this information.

Some forms of maple bonsai do not take well to extremely cold temperatures. If you live in a region where the temperature drops below zero, you will want to ensure that your maple can survive. Frost can damage the roots, branches, and leaves of the tree, effectively shortening its lifespan. A greenhouse may be required for storing your maple bonsai if you live in a colder region that goes beyond the normal habitat of these trees.

If you are interested in purchasing a maple bonsai, you can buy seeds, a seedling, or even a full grown tree through an online vendor, or you can inquire about these trees at your local garden or plant nursery.

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BONSAI Tree Seeds

Photo: Pixabay

There are several varieties of Bonzai Trees available at Bonzai nurseries, but these can be very expensive. Another option for growing your own Bonzai Trees is to start them from seeds. Though you may not be able to reproduce the exact tree that you see in the nursery, you can create a miniature Bonzai Tree that is very similar.

It is important to understand that in actuality, there is no such thing as Bonzai Tree seeds. Bonsai Trees are grown from the natural seeds of trees and shrubs that are modified into miniatures through different pruning and growing techniques.

The one exception to this is the Japanese Yatsubusa Tree. This tree has been genetically modified to produce a miniature tree. The genetically modified Bonsai Tree is the result of being infected with a fungus. The fungus produces dwarf shoots when this disease affects the tree, and the seeds produced, therefore, inherit the genetics. For example, the Chinese Elms, Japanese Black Pines and Trident Maples are three species of Bonzai Trees that suffer from genetic modification due to fungus.

So, with this one exception there are no specific seeds that will produce a Bonzai Tree; therefore it is necessary to simply buy a seed for whatever species of tree that you want to grow into a Bonzai and use this, to begin with.

If you do come across someone selling Bonzai Tree seeds, this is only labeling, as they are just the regular variety of seed. These will work to create your Bonzai Tree just the same. If you plant your seed and grow them in the proper way, you can create a Bonzai Tree from nearly any type of tree.

Remember, Bonzai Tree seeds are the same as any other type of tree seed and if they are not cared for correctly you will end up with trees that look the same as those in a forest, or your front yard.

Before deciding on which Bonzai Tree to grow from seed, first discover all you can about the different species and their care. Once you know the most important elements of growing the Bonzai, such as what type of soil to use, how much water the tree will need and how to prune your plant, you can grow a beautiful Bonzai Tree right from a seed.

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Bonsai Care

Bonsai - Federahorn -  Photo: Wikimedia

What are the basics of effective Bonsai care? 

Caring for your Bonsai tree involves many of the same activities associated with caring for a pot plant or an indoor plant. Well developed and healthy fibrous roots are essential for the continued good health of your Bonsai tree and repotting is an essential way to manage this process. Normally a young or fast-growing Bonsai will need to be repotted roughly once a year; for less prolific growers or older trees, it can be done as infrequently as once every five years. You should always try to repot during late winter or early spring when the buds start to swell. 

How to repot a Bonsai tree. 

The process of repotting a Bonsai tree is one that you should take seriously and follow these simple instructions: 

First, you should tidy the tree by carefully pruning off any unwanted, long branches. Also, make sure the tree has been undercover for a few weeks if it is an outdoor Bonsai, this way the soil will be relatively dry. Once you remove the tree from its pot you will be able to see whether it really needs repotting. If it is root bound then you should repot it, however, if there are another few inches of room so the roots can grow a little longer then you can carefully replace the tree in its original pot and continue as normal. 

You should remove surface soil from the roots either by hand or use a nylon scrubbing brush. Brush away from the trunk and be careful not to damage any of the roots. Removing the loose soil will give the Bonsai tree a healthier look and feel. Once you’ve removed most of the soil in this way, you can use a small, fine bristled paintbrush to remove the soil stuck in the roots or that has collected in the roots. 

Use a Bonsai fork to comb out the roots. Do this by combing out the roots from underneath and then use scissors to prune up to a third of the roots and then cut out small wedges around the root base to allow fresh soil to collect and keep your Bonsai healthy. Add a layer of grit to the bottom of the pot and then add the Bonsai compost of your choice. 

Take the time to position your Bonsai tree in the pot and then push a little more soil into awkward places. Complete this as often as you need to as mentioned above.

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BONSAI Trees

Bonsai Tree -  Photo: Pixabay

What are Bonsai trees? 

Many people think of tiny little Japanese trees cut and pruned to a miniature size but literally speaking Bonsai means ‘plant in a tray’ and while they are smaller than their wild counterparts they don’t have to be a couple of inches tall; they can be grown in a pot in the garden and will be smaller than their wild counterparts. 

Misconceptions about Bonsai trees. 

Many people believe that training Bonsai trees are a cruel pastime because the cultivator starves the tree and cuts it to such an extent that it becomes unhealthy. Quite the reverse is usually true; while they are cut and pruned quite heavily to keep them to the size of the pot, they are usually transferred from pot to pot regularly and are fed and watered much more often than their wild cousins. 

Contrary to belief, Bonsai trees do not originate from Japan, but there are records dating back more than 2000 years that show Bonsai being grown in China. These Bonsai weren’t as small as the Bonsai that people often envisage and were grown on an individual basis outdoors in pots. It was, though, the Japanese that took this art form and progressed it to the level it is at now. This has led to quite different styles in Japanese and Chinese Bonsai; the Chinese Bonsai being much more freestyle and more lightly pruned than the Japanese miniature Bonsai that are very heavily groomed and pruned and look much more like miniature natural versions of the full-sized versions. 

Bonsai trees do not live shorter lives than wild trees. They regularly live for many centuries and are traditionally passed down from generation to generation of the family. They lead nearly exactly the same length lives as their wild cousins and are often much healthier because of the attention they receive. 

The advantages of growing Bonsai. 

Not everyone has a large garden where they can plant numerous trees and let them grow as big as they want, and even those who do have large gardens still need to wait for many years before the tree becomes truly established. By growing Bonsai you don’t need any more room than the size of your pot and because you only need them to grow too much smaller proportions it really is accessible for anyone who is interested in growing Bonsai trees. You can even grow them inside if you can recreate the correct conditions for the tree you want to grow. 

Growing Bonsai trees can fast become an addictive hobby and requires attention to detail, the foresight of how the tree will grow and plenty of time and care. You will undoubtedly feel massive satisfaction if you decide to grow Bonsai and are any good at it.

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A Challenge of Growing a BONSAI

Growing bonsai is a challenge for beginners, as there are a lot of steps that are involved in the growing process. However, while there are a lot of steps, the process of growing a bonsai is extremely simple if you have patience and take your time learning what you need to know. The first step in growing bonsai is to learn about the type of tree you want to grow. All bonsai trees differ from one another.

Bonsai tree (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You cannot use the same care for a juniper as you would a ficus bonsai. This is because the trees grow in drastically different conditions, and require different amounts of water, light and general treatment. Learning about your specific type of tree will greatly assist you in growing bonsai.

Once you have learned about your tree, growing bonsai is pretty simple. There are several things you should remember in addition to properly watering and feeding your tree. Wiring is a key part of guiding your bonsai into growing into the shape that you desire. As bonsais are considered a work of art, growing bonsai is part skill at keeping plants alive, and part artistic talent.

When you are growing bonsai for the first time, you will want to approach aspects like wiring with caution. When growing bonsai, the wires should be placed on the tree in such a way that it causes bending without gouging or breaking the branch. This takes a subtle amount of pressure on the branch of the tree, and consideration on how to place the wires. Wires that are placed incorrectly may permanently scar the tree, damaging the overall appearance of the tree, as well as impacting its lifespan. When placing your wires, you should be careful not to place them too close between where the branch and the trunk meet, but not so far that it encourages the branch to break.

Wires should be placed at a 45 degree angle to the branch when wrapping, and the wires should be spaced evenly. Proper spacing and angles of the wires will allow the tree to modify its growing patter, and help in the design of your bonsai.

There are some supplies that you will need when growing bonsai. You will need a good soil for your tree, a proper pot with good drainage, and the basic tools for working wiring and trimming your tree. This typically is a minor investment, and most of the supplies will last you for several years. Depending on the type of bonsai you are growing, you may need to invest in other materials, especially for trees that require more delicate care.

Supplies can be typically purchased from online stores or from local bonsai nurseries.

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