If you are new to bonsai trees, you may be wondering why they are so special. Bonsai has many different traditions, which make it a unique experience. This article will help you learn about a few of them.
Chinese elm
The Chinese Elm is a beautiful plant, and is one of the most common bonsai trees. It’s an especially good choice for beginner bonsai makers. However, this tree needs careful care to stay healthy.
Chinese elms are indigenous to China. They are members of the Rosales order. This group of plants includes the Rose, Blackberry, Strawberry, and others.
Chinese elms are usually hardy to temperatures from 4 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can tolerate colder temperatures. This makes them ideal for indoor and outdoor bonsai.
Chinese elms tend to grow smaller leaves. In fact, the leaves can be as small as 1 cm. A Chinese elm may need to be repotted every two years or so. If it’s a large tree, it might not need repotting at all.
Typically, you’ll need to water your Chinese elm bonsai tree every four to five days. Depending on your climate, this may mean daily watering in the spring and summer months, and less in the winter.
You can use Neptune’s Seaweed (0-0-1) as an organic supplement for your Chinese elm. This is a natural source of amino acids and other nutrients.
For indoor bonsai, you’ll want to feed your Chinese elm with a slow-release granular feed. This type of feed can be applied to the roots, branches, and foliage year-round.
To maintain its shape, you’ll need to prune the Chinese elm regularly. You’ll want to remove any downward-growing branches and shoots.
One way to achieve this is to wire the branches. This can help to keep the tree’s shape, while also allowing new growth to develop. When the branches are still woody, you’ll want to wrap them in thin wire at a 45-degree angle.
White pine
White pine bonsai trees are special because of their unique shape. They are drought resistant, have no pest problems, and are a good choice for beginner and advanced bonsai enthusiasts.
The Japanese white pine is one of the most common classical bonsai species in Japan. This variety of white pine grows in mountainous regions. Its trunk has an elegant taper and a sturdy limb structure.
Like most Japanese white pines, it is also grafted on black pine root systems. The result is a bonsai that is very easy to care for.
When planting, select a location that is sunny, well-drained, and free from clay. Mature white pines don’t thrive in soils with pH levels over seven. To keep a tree healthy, avoid over-watering and feeding it.
You’ll need to give it a little extra care when repotting, as these plants have slow growing roots. Make sure to remove any decayed soil. Otherwise, your tree could suffer from rot.
In winter, you’ll want to water your tree sparingly. Ideally, it should be sheltered from heavy rainfall.
You’ll want to monitor your white pine bonsai on a daily basis. It is best to prune it from early April through late May. By this time, new growth will harden and allow you to patch any damage.
If your Japanese white pine bonsai has suffered from a disease or pest, you’ll need to treat it. If you’re concerned about the health of your bonsai, there are natural pesticides available.
Also, if you’re using a slanting cut to graft a branch on, be sure to take it at least one year old. That way, it will look a lot better as it matures.
Chokkan
The Chokkan bonsai tree is considered the ultimate beauty of the Bonsai. It consists of a large tree found in the mountains and lowland plains. Mostly evergreen, it is grown outdoors or indoors.
Typically, it appears in a pyramidal shape from the front. However, it can be grown in a more conventional upright manner.
The formal upright style is similar to the chrismas tree. It has an elegantly tapered trunk and a thick base. Although it is hard to maintain, it is a fine example of the Bonsai tree.
Another form of Bonsai style is the cascading bonsai. This type of design is a great depiction of the natural appearance of trees in nature. Usually, it is found on the side of cliffs.
For a bonsai to be successful, it must have roots that provide nutrients for the tree. It must also be properly placed in a pot with adequate soil and water.
A straight vertical trunk bonsai can be very difficult to make. To be successful, it must resemble a cone from its base to its apex.
The most important symbol of the bonsai is simplicity. This is usually represented by an isosceles triangle. Other common symbols are balance, age and harmony.
While all of these have their own merits, the aforementioned is the most cited. Besides the fact that it is the shortest of the three, it has several other useful functions.
In the art of bonsai, it is important to have an awareness of the different styles. As such, it is important to know which type of bonsai is appropriate for a particular location. Besides, learning about the Bonsai tree classification will serve as a guide to train miniature trees.
Moyogi
Moyogi bonsai trees have a distinct shape. They are upright, S-shaped trees with a tapering trunk and multiple branches. These trees can be used in many styles of bonsai.
The most popular types of Moyogi are the fukinagashi and sakufu-ten. Fukinagashi is a type of tree found on the edge of the plain and often near the sea. It is often called a windswept tree, a representation of the power of the wind.
Sakufu-ten is a creative style of shohin bonsai. It has a tall crown above a short, thin trunk. This style is perfect for deciduous trees with extensive fine branching.
Moyogi shapes are also seen in the Noh play and the painting of fusuma. In general, the shape is regarded as a symbol of harmonious beauty.
Bonsai is a Japanese art of growing miniature trees in pots. It originated from a traditional Chinese practice of penjing. Penjing was at its height during the Tang dynasty. Today, bonsai is gaining in popularity in the West. However, beginners look to Japan for information on how to grow bonsai.
While there are several different styles of bonsai, the most common is the chokkan style. This style of bonsai represents a healthy, isolated tree. You can grow this style indoors, as well as outside.
This style is suitable for most species. The lower branches should start at one-third of the trunk’s length. The trunk should break at an angle for the illusion of age.
The goal of Shakan is to achieve balance between the trunk’s movement and the placement of the branches. Ideally, the trunk should be thicker at the bottom than the top.
Another common style is the slanting style. The roots are well developed on one side, but not as developed on the other.
Traditions
The art of bonsai trees has a long history in Japan. Its origins can be traced back to Chinese penjing, a craft of artistically crafted plants, which was practiced by the ancient elite of China.
Penjing spread from China across Asia and eventually to Japan. The earliest forms of container-grown potted trees can be seen in medieval paintings and handscrolls.
In Japan, the art of growing trees in containers became deeply rooted in the culture. Bonsai tree cultivation was influenced by Zen Buddhism. This religion is based on the principle of self-control and patience, and its belief is that the tree is a symbol of the universe.
Bonsai trees are usually shaped to resemble full-size trees, but they can also be asymmetrical. Their twisted appearance comes from holding a desired shape as the tree grows. Some bonsai trees are shaped to resemble forests or countryside.
Aside from their beauty, bonsai trees are also a source of inspiration and balance. They are considered a representation of nature, and many people choose to grow and display their own.
Today, the art of creating bonsai trees has been passed on through the generations, and some of them can be thousands of years old. Most bonsai trees are one to two feet tall and require a great deal of care. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, they are a symbol of luck, wealth and honor.
Many Japanese people use bonsai trees as living ornaments. They are also popular as a form of meditation. Among the different bonsai styles are the Formal Upright, which has thick, broad branches at the bottom.
Other styles include the Kokedama, which has roots covered in moss. These forms are ideal for hanging gardens. Another style, called the NETSURANARI, is a spreading style that grows from a single root base.