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Bonsai is an art form that many say can never be mastered. Loosely translated from the Japanese, bonsai means dwarf and the creating of bonsai is considered one of the higher gardening arts. Bonsai first began in China but was quickly adopted by the Japanese who began the true mastery of the skill of growing the miniature trees.
Although almost any tree can be bonsai, the traditional and hardest form is the evergreen. Juniper trees are the most favored and many bonsai are reputed to be hundreds of years old. Bonsai is never finished or complete as nature is never static. As the bonsai tree continues to grow, so will its shape and form
While bonsai trees are available for purchase everywhere from garden centers to up scale department stores, it is fun to attempt to grow one on your own. To try your own hand at bonsai, you will need a few supplies.
Before purchasing your tree, you will need:
The proper soil. Bonsai soil is the most important component of the plant. It needs to be of a mixture that drains quickly and have the proper pH value of neutral. Many gardening experts recommend a mix of 1 part each of haydite, pine bark, turface and river rock. It is also highly recommended that the mixture be put through a sieve until nothing remains larger than 1/4 inch in diameter. In some locations, bonsai soil can be purchased at garden centers.
The right size pot. Traditional bonsai pots can be purchased but are expensive. Look instead for pots that have an oriental theme at your garden center. Make sure the pot has a drain hole so your tree will never be in standing water.
Other supplies. Small scissors or shears are an absolute must. Kits can be purchased that contain specialty pruning supplies, but this can be done with small sewing scissors. You will also need thin copper wire to hold the branches in the desired position.
Once you have all of your supplies, it is time to choose your tree. For a traditional bonsai juniper, visit your local garden center a choose a small tree no larger than two to four inches tall. In the United States a 'San Jose' juniper is a popular choice.
To begin, you will need to repot your tree. Line the bottom of your pot with gravel or river rock and then pot the tree using the bonsai soil. Some experts recommend watering the tree at this point and allowing it to rest a day or more to become established. Many professional bonsai growers position the tree off center to give it more of a traditional look.
When ready, begin by deciding which side of the tree you want to be facing the viewer. Remove the lower branches of the tree exposing the trunk. Next, remove any branches above that would take away from the look you are trying to achieve. Many bonsai have only three or four branches remaining after this point.
With the remaining branches, use the copper wire to gently form them into the desired pattern and shape. Do not wrap tightly as this will cut into the bark and possibly kill the tree. As your bonsai grows, these wires can be removed, as the tree will be trained in position.
Caring for a bonsai is relatively simple. Bonsais do need a lot of water. The soil can never be allowed to dry out. In the summer, this could mean watering daily. In the winter, the tree will need high humidity and warmth to survive. Placing your bonsai in the bathroom during the winter months will help it to thrive.
Bonsais do not need a lot of fertilizer, but should you decide to fertilize a half strength mixture of any 30-10-10 formula should be sufficient.
Growing bonsai can be a very rewarding hobby. It is a tree that can be passed down through the generations as long as it is given proper care.
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