The Art of Growing Bonsai Trees

Bonsai tree cultivation is a Japanese tradition stretching back hundreds of years.  Bonsai literally translates to "tray planting," and involves actively cultivating trees into an artistic dwarfed version of themselves.  A bonsai tree is not a special dwarf or hybrid species of a common tree; they’re genetically identical to their taller relatives.  It’s the careful cultivation that keeps these trees small.  Surprisingly, the trees are not damaged by this process, however.  In fact, with the correct attention, the dwarfed version of a tree can live longer than the same tree if it was allowed to grow in the wild.

Bonsai trees can either be grown from seeds or from cuttings of trees, and they normally range from two inches to three feet in height.  Through pruning both branches and roots bonsai trees are kept small.  They’re also repotted periodically, and new growth is often pinched off. 

Growing and cultivating bonsai trees is actually as much about art as it is about horticulture.  Bonsai trees are not only kept miniture, they are also shaped into pleasing forms.  They often follow a number of different patterns of growth, from elaborate waterfall shapes cascading down over their pots to simple triangular pattens.  The various shapes are normally a product of both the pruning of the tree and by the wrapping the trunk and branches with wire, shaping the tree into its desired form.  The pots themselves are part of the art as well, chosen to compliment the color and shape of the tree itself.  Mosses and rocks are often added to the base for aesthetic appeal. 

Taking care of a bonsai tree is more complicated than taking care of most houseplants.  Since the bonsai has has a smaller root system than most plants, it needs water and fertilizer more frequently than most garden-variety houseplants.  Pruining is also essential occasionally, since the bonsai tree would grow into just a normal big tree without pruning.  Also, if wire is used to help mold and form the tree, it is important to take care that the wire doesn’t dig into the bark of the tree, scarring the branches permanently.  Depending on the type of bonsai tree and your climate, you may be able to keep some bonsai trees outside year round, while others will need to be kept inside for at least part of the year.  Moisture is also important, not only in the soil but in the leaves and branches of the bonsai.  They need to be misted occasionally for the bonsai to develop healthily.