Bonsai Trees

Bonsai trees are small trees that are trained to resemble their larger relatives that grow naturally in the wild. Generally, people these days follow rules established by Japanese artists and gardeners, but the original idea is from China perhaps 2,000 years ago.  

Ancient wealthy Chinese men would travel to the countryside to pursue artistic, and spiritual matters, and they would sometimes gather small trees and plants to bring home. They would then try to recreate beautiful scenes in miniature so that they could contemplate nature in a more urban environment.  By using wires, weights and occasional pruning they were able to grow small replicas of giant old trees-incredible survivors of the vagaries of nature.

Bonsai Trees generally have the same requirements as ordinary houseplants or outside container gardens. Depending on your climate and the kind of plants or trees you are using, do the same things you do for your other container gardens.

Generally,  if you’re using hardy trees such as junipers, maples, or pines you can grow them outside from early spring to late fall and even let them go dormant in the winter if you properly protect them (and their containers) from the elements.

Bonsai trees created from trees normally grown inside as houseplants (jade, or ficus for example) can go outside during warm weather but need to come back inside when the temperatures start to fall regularly below 60 degrees (F).

Any plant grown in a container needs regular watering and fertilizing.  Bonsai trees are no different.  In hot summer weather they probably need watering every day and every other day when the weather is more temperate.  A good rule of thumb is to water whenever the top inch of soil looks and feels dry to the touch.

The only nutrients container gardens receive are what you give them. Unlike plants in the ground they cannot reach out into the soil for nutrients they need to survive and thrive.  So in the summer I fertilize my containers every other week with diluted (half strength) water- soluble fertilizer.  I use half the recommended dosage because too much fertilizer and your plants will rapidly outgrow their containers.  I would use the same schedule for a bonsai tree.  In the winter when light is dimmer, fertilize less frequently, perhaps once a month, and do not fertilize dormant plants at all.

Creating bonsai trees is an art, and there are some rules to master to properly create your own specimen.  Fortunately, there are horticulturists who have studied some famous examples of bonsai trees and have shared them with us amateurs. 

In fact, there are also many clubs and state fairs that have annual contests for lovers of bonsai trees, and it is easy to find one or get involved in this fascinating hobby.

Basically, to create bonsai trees you need to consider proportion of diameter of the base of the trunk to the height of the tree.  Typically a ratio of 1:6 or 1:10 works.  That means a tree with a diameter of an inch should be about 6 inches tall and no taller than ten inches.

Easy enough you say, but this is just the beginning. There are also rules about the width of the widest branch from tip to tip in comparison to the height of the tree (about half) and where the first branch starts (about 1/3 of the height of the tree).

In addition, bonsai trees are judged by their unity (straight trunk means straight branches, or a curved trunk needs curved branches.) Like their natural neighbors, bonsai trees should decrease in the width of their branches as they go up and distance between branches should decrease as you go up the tree.

I have tried growing a bonsai tree once, and I’m sorry to say I was a miserable failure* (story to follow), but the research I did to learn the art of Bonsai trees has made a permanent impression on me.  I have a far greater appreciation now of these curious little trees because I know they are not just randomly designed.

In fact ,there are many geometric principles involved in growing a gorgeous bonsai tree. I even know a high school geometry teacher who occasionally uses slides of Bonsai trees to motivate some of her more reluctant learners and answer the question:  “Why do I need geometry?”  Why indeed!

Many quality nursery centers or Asian markets sell Bonsai trees that are already pruned into an aesthetic shape, but if you’re up for it you can start from scratch, too.  Miniature conifers are excellent for this purpose, but you can also use native material from you own yard and garden.  I am not an expert at this, however, so I would suggest getting a good resource with lots of pictures to help you design your Bonsai tree.

*….and here is the rest of the story.  Several years ago my niece had my name for stockings and she gave me the most adorable little bonsai kit.  It came with a seed, a little dish, tiny pruning scissors, and some growing medium and DIRECTIONS (which I read VERY carefully and…nothing happened!

But I didn’t give up.  I researched Bonsai trees (hopefully you already read it!), bought a little plant and tried again.  Not only did the tiny tree suffer, it took my pruning very seriously …and gave up the ghost!)

Good luck!  Designing Bonsai trees is a wonderful hobby for those blessed with lots of patience and an eye for design.  The tree itself is easy to grow if you are comfortable with container gardens, but the finished garden will need lots of research into the art of Bonsai to create a truly pleasing specimen.

P.S.  You can also buy bonsai gardens that someone else has already started.   This isn’t a bad option as these little miniatures grow very slowly and once there is a shape, it only takes an occasional snip once in awhile to maintain it.

…I have my niece’s stocking this year!