Imagine a tree, growing at high elevation, on the craggy side of a mountain, swept by winds. A tree like that can live for centuries. And throughout its entire life it would be bent, twisted and dwarfed by its environment.
A tree like that deserves, even demands our attention, and our respect. And a tree like that was probably the first Bonsai.
Literally translated, Bonsai means tray planting, and it’s an ancient Japanese art form. The first Bonsai were probably collected, very carefully, from their high altitude, rocky locations and then transplanted to a shallow tray like this one.
As the art from grew in popularity, techniques were developed to produce and maintain the aging look of a collected specimen. Those techniques, wiring, pruning, root pruning and special soil mixes were next applied to nursery grown plants.
A plant selected for Bonsai should have small leaves or needles, small flowers and fruits, and a tendency to develop an old looking bark at a very young age.
Bonsai plants require a few minutes of your attention every day, oh but the rewards! A little time, a little effort, a little knowledge…
Bonsai Trees…
- Bonsai means tray planting, and it is an ancient Japanese art form
- The first Bonsai were probably collected from their high, rocky locations and then transplanted to a shallow tray
- Some of the techniques applied to nursery-grown Bonsai are wiring, pruning, root pruning and special soil mixes
- Bonsai should have small leaves or needles, small flowers or fruit, and a tendency to develop an old looking bark at a young age