Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

BONSAI-THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ART AND TECHNIQUE

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Bonsai-The complete guide to art and technique

Chinese Bonsai

Chinese Bonsai


Over the centuries the Chinese have developed the same principle for bonsai as the Japanese.In the first instance they,too,have the desire to learn from nature;both nationalities see bonsai as the art of imitating nature,of creating harmony,of making ourselves aware of that which is essential in life.But there are details of the art which are more important for Chinese bonsai masters than their Japanese counterparts,namely the relationship in size between dish and tree,roots and trunk,trunk and branches.
If you compare bonsai from the two countries on thing you will notice is that the Chinese often choose very large bonsai dishes which are very attractive,very old and precious.Their tree tend to be bigger than the Japanese,too,not infrequently reaching a height of 1m-1.5m and sometimes more.And often the roots of a Chinese bonsai look very thin in relation to the trunk.These trees simply grow abruptly out of the ground;the trunk is almost the same thickness from top to bottom,scarcely tapering at all as it reaches the crown of the tree.

Chinese Bonsai


The relationship in size between trunk and branches is also not so well balanced as in Japanese bonsai.You might find quite thin branches sticking abruptly out of thick trunks,and it is often only in the crown of the tree that you will find any very graceful branches.Sometimes,too,the angle at which branches hang seems to us somewhat audacious.
In China the following species of plants are the commonest for bonsai training:Chinese cypress,Chinese juniper,jasmine orange,oleaster,white pine...

Chinese Bonsai

Japanese Bonsai Styles

Windswept style


No two bonsai are the same.However,in Japanese bonsai some typical shapes have evolved,all of which are found in nature.The most important ones to be able to recognize are follows.

Individual trees
-Formal upright
-Curved informal upright
-Slanting style
-Semi cascade
-Cascade or hanging style

Triple trunk style


Trees with several trunks,and group plantings
-Twin trunk
-Triple trunk
-Clump
-Raft style
-Raft from root,or sinuous,style
-Multi-tree or group planting

Semi cascade style


Styles that may be planted singly or in groups
-Broom,or besom,style
-Windswept style
-Literati style
-Clinging-to-rock,or rock grown,style

Clinging-to-rock style

Bonsai -Miniature landscapes(Saikei)

Bonsai -Miniature landscapes(Saikei)


Saikei are miniature landscapes planted in shallow dishes to represent a piece of natural scenery-perhaps a strip of river,a waterfall in the mountains,a pine grove by the sea or a deciduous wood with pathways and streams.Saikei have a long history if we include among the art those miniature landscapes depicted on thirteenth and fourteenth century scroll paintings.The art of forming saikei was rediscovered recently by Japanese bonsai master,who developed the art further.In the West,saikei is becoming better known and has attracted much admiration from bonsai enthusiasts.

Bonsai -Miniature landscapes(Saikei)


Saikei are different from bonsai group plantings mainly in that not only trees are used but also rocks and various types of earth-sometimes even tiny houses,bridges,animals and figures,too.Good saikei formations work because the three basic elements,trees,rocks and earth combine in a harmonious way.

Bonsai -Miniature landscapes(Saikei)


Bonsai -Miniature landscapes(Saikei)

Bonsai Proportional

Bonsai Proportional


Bonsai Proportional
Each bonsai enthusiast tends to proportionality of trunks, branches and leaves. The size of the leaves can be reduced in several ways. In the summer you can cut leaves with the specific, sharp scissors, clips of leaves. Sure,it must be strong and healthy tree. New buds will be adorned smaller leaves. For Bonsai will be less stressful if dilute leaves in the branches half at once, while the other half over the two weeks. Before and after dilute leaves the tree does not fertilize and less water at the same time. Until they start running the new buds, you need to have them in the shade.

Bonsai Proportional


Bonsai Proportional

Fertilization of Bonsai

Fertilization of Bonsai

Even fertilization of bonsai is very important. In a small container is not much land, and although bonsai most of the time starve to slow growth, they certainly need some food.
In principle we use two types of fertilizers:
-on the basis of nitrogen for leaf growth, adding at the spring and summer
-on the basis of potassium, which promotes the growth of leaves, flowers and fruits, which adding in autumn to strong trunk and branches.
Bonsai fertilizer:
-summer- on 14 days
-winter-1 monthly


Fertilization of Bonsai

Bonsai Trees Presentation

Bonsai Trees Presentation

Even before the year 1000 found epic from the Sung dynasty, which describe the pun-sai, and offer the treasures of literature on how to build them.
During the period of peace, which we know as the period of Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), both as pun-sai and pun-ching became a hobby, not only in aristocratic circles, but all the layers of Chinese society.
However, the Chinese were not the one who presented bonsai the art to west. This was done by Japanese for the first time in Paris at the World Fair in 1878, and later in London in 1909.
In Japan they were likely bring by Buddhist monks between the tenth and eleventh centuries. To them represents the sacred objects,' green path to heaven ', from there a link between God and human.
During the Yuan dynasty (1280 - 1368), Japanese government ministers and merchants brought home bonsai as a gift from the Chinese and we know that around the year 1644 Chu Shun-sui, the Chinese official, came on the Japanese before the government Manchu’s and brought with him the whole his collection of literature on education bonsais. It's a substantial knowledge of the arts bonsais was crucial to the expansion of the arts in Japan. This time, Japan has also developed a branch of their art and their bonsai design, which was reserved for the aristocratic classes, Samurai, and has become a hobby for all classes until the end of the last century.


Bonsai Trees Presentation

Wonderful world of Bonsai

Wonderful world of Bonsai

Bon-sai, itself a translation of the Japanese words we expect that what we have to deal, BON-container and SAI-tree, the tree in a container. Taken from another angle, in the words Bonsai lies both gardening and art as a philosophy. In the world there are many myths associated with bonsai. But bonsai education is nothing more difficult and demanding than bringing flowers, they need only food, water and sunlight as all plants in the world. Bonsai are not any genetic freaks or special tree variety. Their size, just right for small size, is subject to the specific details over the centuries advanced farming techniques and design. They are only tiny trees with soul of giants. The purpose of arts education bonsai it as soon as possible to breed a tree that looks the most natural, that corresponds to aesthetic criteria, and gives the appearance of old, mature tree.


Wonderful world of Bonsai

Rules for Trunk and Nebari Phylum

Rules for Trunk and Nebari Phylum

Rules for Trunk and Nebari Phylum:
Relationships between trunk height and width should be at bonsai tree ratio 1:3 to 1:12, but we steep to the ideal ratio of 1:6, depending mainly on style.
Trunk should be slightly tilted towards viewer, that is achieved the effect of perspective as the observation of the trees in nature (but can not give looks like letter C).
Base of trunk is to be threatened in the roots and give us the feeling that it is firmly anchored
Roots should be evenly spaced around the trunk.
Roots should not be seen directly against viewer.
Top should be inclined to viewer.
Trunk should be uniformly thin, as it rises.
In the formal and the informal upright style should be the top exactly of the base.
In an informal upright style should not be too many "S" curves.
As the tree rises should be the curves closer together.
The tree should have only one peak.


Rules for Trunk and Nebari Phylum

Bonsai Trees-What is Bonsai?

Bonsai Trees-What is Bonsai?

What is Bonsai? For most, this is only BON - container in the SAI - tree. BONSAI in Japanese means tree in a container, which is compared with the trees in the nature of proportional smaller copy. And not only that. Bonsai is an art, collaboration with nature, meditation. We need to know the requirements of the plants in nature; we need to be gardeners, architects and philosophers. Our ally is the time, which can not be overtaken. Rare are the shortcuts on the path of creating. They sometimes get experienced growers and masters, but always with the fear to lose, to destroy lives, a tree, the idea makes sense. The oldest bonsai in Japan are over 600 years old and have the status of the national treasure. Specimens that are transmitted from generation to generation are of inestimable value.


Bonsai Trees-What is Bonsai?

Where to Place Bonsai Tree

Where to Place Bonsai Tree

Where to place the Bonsai
Bonsai are trees, and trees grow in nature. Their place is outside. Even to the so-called “Room Bonsai”, tropical and subtropical species, from spring to autumn, when temperatures are still higher than +10 º C, we have the obligation to the outside.
Light is the addition of water and nutrients basic factor, the article which makes the growth and development of plants. Different types require different conditions. These, however, we need to consider in setting up bonsai. Most must be in the hot summer days, during heat offer partial or full protection of the shade. The sun and the wind very quickly drained soil in a container.
Bonsai on the same site once a week to turn 90 º to allow the harmonious development of crown.
If you want to dismantle Bonsai, you can stand in the exhibition space and keeping only a few days, otherwise will have begun to show signs of deterioration. A week or more in a confined space for a tree can be fatal.


Where to Place Bonsai Tree

Bonsai Forms-Part ll

Stone form

Stone form
This form mimics the tree, which is in the mountains in fight with the wind. Thus tree grows on the rocks, with visible root that go back to the earth. A young plant must be plant in narrow and deep dish. Roots placed in the cracks and cut those that do not go back to basics. Stone of a plant placed in the container, around the lower third of the land of stone installation, the remainder covered by mostly by regular moisture. In 6 to 12 months, strengthened the roots to the stone and moss can be removed.
Appropriate Plants: maple, juniper, pine, spruce...



Cascading form

Cascading form
In this form imitate a tree at the edge of cliffs. The principal feature the trunk or more often reinforced the lower arm, which extends beyond the lower edge of the container. This is achieved through the use of wires, or seizes the property of trees that still grow up and to the light. The container is tilted or in the extreme, on a side, but when the bonsai is already complete, of course, turns it upright again. Because of the balance the plant needs lower and higher container.
Suitable plants: larch, willow, juniper, pine...

Bonsai-More than just a plant, it's art

Most bonsai are created from plants that otherwise would grow into towering trees or billowing shrubs. You can purchase bonsai or start your own by digging up a smallish wild tree or a seedling that popped up in your yard. This plant will need its roots pruned before it goes into a pot. The far-reaching roots of wild plants must be untangled and shortened to fit into its pot.
The top of a new bonsai also might need to be cut back to bring it down to bonsai size, which is usually under 4 feet. (Bonsai are classified according to form and size, and the smallest are less than 7 inches high.)


Bonsai trees

To shorten a trunk artistically, cut it back to within a few inches above its desired height. Trim the bark from the portion of trunk above the highest remaining branch, and pare the stub to a taper. Bend the next-highest branch upwards, tying it against the tapered stub, with some padding to prevent the string or wire from marring the branch.
After a few weeks, when the branch can hold the upright position without assistance, remove the ties and cut back the stub, with a sloping cut, to the base of the now-leading branch.


Bonsai trees

Bonsai Indoors

Growing bonsai indoors does not have to be a difficult task for most people. If you provide enough lighting and a warm atmosphere, then virtually any type of Bonsai can be grown indoors successfully. You should find a perfect location for your Bonsai.If you can locate a window in your home that maintains the correct temperature for your Bonsai, then placing your Bonsai near the window will help ensure a healthier plant.


Bonsai Indoors

Once a location has been established, you should then purchase a growing lamp to ensure that your Bonsai gets adequate lighting.The growing lamp should be turned on during the day, for the same length of time that your particular Bonsai requires of direct sunlight.The growing lamp should be turned off during the night, so that your Bonsai’s environment is as close to your outdoor environment as possible.


Bonsai Indoors

If you are new to bonsai, don’t fret if at first you fail. All bonsai masters failed too before perfecting their craft.

Repotting Bonsai trees

To prevent a tree from being pot-bound and ultimately starving to death, regular repotting is very important.It depends on the tree species, age and size of container how often a Bonsai needs to be repotted. Fast growing trees will have to be repotted every two years, while older, more mature trees need to be repotted every 3 to 5 years.


Repotting Bonsai trees

A Bonsai needs to be repotted when the roots circle around the root system, when the roots are still contained in soil wait another year before checking again.Repotting work needs to be done during the early spring; when the tree is still in dormancy.Choosing the right soil mixture is crucial for the health of your trees.


Repotting Bonsai trees

Step-by-step plan to repot:

-Carefully take the tree out of its pot, when it is stuck use a root-knife
-Inspect whether the tree needs to be repotted or not
-By using a root-hook or some chopsticks, carefully remove the soil
-Prune back long roots,also remove rotting or vertical growing roots
-Put plastic mesh on the drainage holes, attached with some copper wire, and cover the base of the pot with a layer of grit to create a good drainage
-Use the prepared soil mixture as the second layer and place the tree, slightly out of the middle of the pot, on top of it
-Fill the pot using the soil mixture up to about 1 cm below the rim
-Water the tree


Repotting Bonsai trees

Bonsai styles

Every experienced bonsai enthusiast has his/her own personal idea of what bonsai is to them and what defining factors make them aesthetically appealing.
The two basic styles of bonsai are the classic (koten) and the informal or 'comic' (bunjin). In the former, the trunk of the tree is wider at the base and tapers off towards the top; it is just the opposite in the 'bunjin', a style more difficult to master.


Bonsai styles

The five basic bonsai styles are formal upright, informal upright, slanting (or windswept), semi-cascade and cascade. All have their own individual beauty and serenity.


Bonsai styles

A tree with a style such as formal upright occurs when it has grown in the open under perfect conditions. The most important requirement for this style is that the trunk should be perfectly straight, tapering naturally and evenly from base to apex.
In an informal upright bonsai the trunk should slightly bend to the right or left - but never towards the viewer.
Trees that slant naturally occur a result of buffeting winds or deep shade during early development. Whether curved or straight, the whole trunk leans at a definite angle.
The growing tip of a cascade bonsai reaches below the base of a container. The trunk has a natural taper and gives the impression of the forces of nature pulling against the forces of gravity.
The tip of a semi-cascade, like the cascade, projects over the rim of the container, but does not drop below its base. The style occurs in nature when trees grow on clifs or overhang water. The angle of the trunk in this bonsai is not precise, as long as the effect is strongly horizontal, even if the plant grows well below the level of the pot rim.


Bonsai styles


Bonsai styles