Bonsai trees make great gifts, there’s no doubt about that. But where did these small trees come from? It’s tempting to think they come from Japan, and you’d be partially right, but it doesn’t begin there. Read on to discover a bit about the interesting history of these potted trees.
In ancient China between the period of 500 and 1,000 B.C., monks had the idea of taking trees into their temples to bring a sense of serenity and nature indoors. Thus began the art of “Pen T’sai,” which flourished among monks and high society. These traveling monks eventually brought the art of Pen T’sai and their religions eastward to Korea and Japan.
Eastward to Japan
Japan is better known for their skill in the art of bonsai, because they took it to a new aesthetic level and introduced it to Europe and the United States as well. Most bonsai plants since World War II come from Japan to the West.
The art continues to be practiced in Japan today, but it has become available more commonly to Westerners and other cultures. Some still believe that the art is mystical or magical, but it’s only esoteric because it isn’t well understood by many. The same gardening principles in horticulture apply to caring for bonsai.
Bonsai can be studied and designed to satisfy an aesthetic mind, or simply as gifts that bring a sense of peace or prosperity to any environment.
The bonsai tree is very interesting to me for numerous reasons. It used to be regarded as having mystical or magical energy in ancient China, where the art originated and was known as “Pen T’sai.” When the art moved eastward to Korea and Japan it changed, and became known as bonsai (pronounced “bone-sigh”).
It’s an art form primarily focused on aesthetics, but can be used by masters as a form of personal or political expression. The limits are of the imagination. Americans can now easily attain bonsai trees online and practice the art or simply enjoy the serenity of nature indoors with these small potted trees.
Visit my site BonsaiPlant.net for more in-depth information on the art of bonsai.
thes piece was writen origanly for piano but… i love this piece ,its remind my of my childhood when mom turn the radio on in the morning we use to listen to a radio program uses this theme.( al bayet al saeed ) you can watch one of my pints in the beginning also some of my bonsai trees which I created my self also the video ended with a beautiful photo for abby
I always liked bonsai trees, and I was curious to try the approach I used for “Music from a Tree” on a smaller scale, so I bought a bonsai and recorded this little experimental piece. To determine the key I used the lowest note I could play and recorded the rest around it. Besides playing the leaves, I used bows of different sizes, a piano hammer and a paint brush. As far as microphones I used my Røde NT6, a customized stethoscope and tiny MEAS piezo transducers. I played all the sounds and rhythms only with the bonsai, I didn’t use any synthesizer or samplers to create or modify the sounds. I hope you’ll like it.
A do-it-yourself Bonsai kit that includes everything you need to create a great looking bonsai tree.
Includes fully established 4 year old Juniper Bonsai “Tree in Training.”
We provide the stuff, you just add time, love and care.
A very popular gift item – unique and creative.
Satisfaction is unconditionally guaranteed.
Product Description This is a very popular gift item. A do-it-yourself Bonsai kit that includes everything you need to create a great looking bonsai tree. We provide the stuff, you just add time, love and care.
Here’s what you get:
– Juniper Bonsai Tree – A 3-4 year old Greenmound Juniper Bonsai tree, potted in a bonsai pot that includes humidity tray and ornamentation. Our bonsai trees have already been trained, wired and manicured to an early bonsai shape – usually the very popular… More >>
The tendency of emergent baby grass is known better throughout the world as Bonsai. It is a misconception that the Japanese were the first to procedure it because it originally came from the Chinese.
Taking thought of the bonsai plants is considered to be a hobby. Those who want to learn should first buy the basic tools from the stow to arise.
The most important of course is the hierarchy. The scope from $20 to $30 an instance. There are different types for auction so the patron should possibly look around the stockpile or ask the sales clerk for help before choosing one.
In order for the hierarchy to look great, pruning and bitter tools will be needed. Some examples of these are concave or round cutters, pruning saws, cutters and scissors. The cheapest ones plus at $15 but for those with class, it wouldn’t hurt to invest in a develop that is just under a hundred bucks.
Bonsai plants just like plants must to be sited in a pot. This allows it to absorb water and nutrients that is varied together with the soil. After sometime, the hobbyist will have to change the container since the flow one will run out of area for it to grow.
Mishandling the bonsai hierarchy can execute it. This is the motive that assorted tools were imaginary such as the potting trowel, the soil scoop and the search hooks so such a thing doesn’t occur.
Some people think that it takes its profile purely. The secret is the use of wires that gives it the artistic figure. There are watery and thick models to pick from which actually depends on the kind of hierarchy at home.
The bonsai hierarchy requests a lot of maintenance. Another tool that could be bought at the stockpile is a brush. This will take away dust that will doubtless be found in the leaves or the twigs when this is left outdoors.
Those who want to try charming fear of a bonsai tree can take classes since some food want to promote this hobby. Some market in the call directory or in the newspaper inviting people to connect for boundless in the hopes that this becomes part of one’s daily habit.
If the tree or the tools that the customer wants is out of typical, there is a luck that the hobbyist can also find these things online.
The practice of Bonsai began in China and Japan hundreds of years ago, and is simple the miniaturization of naturally occurring plants and trees. Bonsai trees are not “special small” trees, but rather trees that ave been slowly miniaturized from their full size.
The main areas of tree care are the following:
Watering your Tree
Bonsai Trees require more watering than most plants, as they are grown in less soil and the soil itself is free draining (meaning it doesn’t retain the water and lets it pass through). The type of tree, the sunlight it is exposed to all factor in to how much watering should be done. You can tell if your Bonsai Tree needs water by looking at it, feeling the soil and if you prefer; by using a moisture meter to be certain.
Fertilizing your Tree
Bonsai plants are grown in smaller amount of soil compared with other trees and plants, therefore fertilizing and feeding your tree is key. You will want to fertilize once in the Spring and once again in the Fall to ensure maximum health and growth. Your fertilizer should contain chelated iron, nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. Make sure before you fertilize, to water your tree and then apply less than the recommended amount.
Misting your Tree
Bonsai trees and plants in general thrive in a humid environment, something that is somewhat uncommon in most of the world. Some gardeners would recommend misting your plants, to recreate this humid environment. The issue with misting is that it’s only a short term benefit to your plant. We recommend placing a tray below your tree, which you fill with water and allow natural evaporation to do the work to create humidity. Make sure the plant is setup off the tray so the roots are not sitting in the water constantly.
Sunlight for your Tree
Bonsai trees thrive in a sunny location, and only with a few exceptions (repotting, extreme trimming) it should live permanently in a sunny spot. It’s a good idea to leave your plant within a foot of a direct source of ultraviolet light. Southern (east/west okay too) exposure is best, if you plan to grow in a northern exposure location you may need the assistance of grow lights. Do not use Incandescent light as it is much too hot and does not provide a complete spectrum of light. Choose your type of tree wisely as some do better in less light and some require lots of light.
Trimming & Pruning your Tree
One of the main attractions of Bonsai ownership is the possibility to shape and mold your tree to meet your vision and desire. However there are fundamental concerns you need to keep in mind whilst pruning your tree. Balance is very important, and keeping a nice even distribution of branches over the your roots below is key to keeping your tree healthy and complete. You begin shaping your tree when it’s very young, and continue to shape even as your tree ages year after year. Butterfly shears are used to remove leaves and branches as needed. Large branches should only be removed with a concave cutter. Maintaining your trees appearance while minimizing the appearance of pruning is essential.
Protecting your Tree (from disease and pests)
Similar to many other trees and plants, bonsai are vulnerable to attacks by diseases and various pests. If you keep your bonsai in excellent health, you can ward of insects who are attracted to dyeing and weak trees. A healthy amount of light, fresh air and clean soil will ensure your bonsai stays healthy and gives you years of enjoyment. Insecticide soap spray is an option, however you should re-apply on a regular interval to prevent attacks from coming back.
Training your Bonsai
Expanding on the training idea of pruning and trimming, bonsai can be further trained using copper wise or hemp rope. The copper wire is rooted at the base of the tree and than wrapped around the trunk and branches, which allows your to train the branches to grow in your desired direction and shape. The wire should be wrapped closely but not too tight and the bends created should not be too extreme as to damage the branch. Once the wire starts biting into the bark, it should be removed. Removal should be done by snipping the wire at each bend, do not un wrap the wire as it can damage the branches and bark.
Soil for your Tree
When discussing watering above we noted that Bonsai trees use free draining soil, which means that it passes the water through and does not retain like typical potting soil. The makeup of the soil allows the roots of your bonsai to breathe freely. Bonsai soil comes in two main types, conifer and tropical mixtures. When you repot your tree make sure to do so with dry soil.
Repotting your Tree
As your bonsai grows and matures it will need to move containers. However unlike most repotting we do not upgrade our pots to larger sizes. When the bonsai is repotted the roots should be trimmed to fit the previous container size. Average time between repotting is 5 years, however it should be checked annually to verify root ball size. When trimming the root ball, do not remove more than 1/5 of the root material. Finally when repotting keep the bonsai out of the sun/light for at least a week.
Learn about growing bonsai trees from seed, in this free video. Expert: Mike Hansen Bio: Mike Hansen, owner of Midwest Bonsai, has been growing, caring, selling, and instructing others in bonsai care for years. Mike is an expert bonsai master.
