The Japanese word Bon-Sai, literally means “planted in a container”. It was part of the Chinese Horticulture, adapted, redeveloped and influenced under Japanese Zen Buddhism. It has been part of their culture for more than a 1000 years.
Bonsai is a blend of art and knowledge of Horticulture. Bonsai is grown in order to give the tree a realistic representation of the nature around us. They aren’t actually dwarf. Bonsai is created using techniques such as pruning, wiring branches, pinching buds and skillfully limiting the growth, but using appropriate fertilisers to grow a healthy tree.
The tree is usually kept under four feet. There is no particular tree or plant for creating a Bonsai, any species of plant that has a woody trunk/stem, has branches, can be easily grown in a container to restrict the growth of the root.
The size classifications of a Bonsai are as follows:
• Komono: 6-10 inches
• Keshitsubo: 1-3 inches
• Mame: 2-6 inches
• Shohin: 5-8 inches
• Omono: 30-48 inches
• Imperial: 60-80 inches
• Shito: 2-4 inches
• Katade-mochi: 10-18 inches
• Chiu: 16-36 inches
• Hachi-uye: 40-60 inches
Bonsai indoor care:
• Light: Bonsai, requires bright light, hence one can place it directly in front of a window.
• Humidity: The tree requires relatively higher humidity. It can be placed on a humidity tray.
• Watering: Bonsai’s don’t need to be watered very often, it is essential to keep a close eye and keep a track on watering.
• Fertilising: It is a must to fertilise a Bonsai during its growing season. Once it matures or grows older, one can fertilise in lesser frequency.
Growing a Bonsai need a lot of patience and time. It takes 10-15 years to mature. But the happiness one gets from watching it grow and taking shape, is entirely a different experience. One need not be an ace gardener, just learning and progressing on the way, is all that it takes to make your own Bonsai Tree.