Bonsai is the art of planting and growing trees and plants in a small and confined space. A tree is planted in a pot and then pruned and shaped over a period of time until it becomes a miniature version of the original tree. The art of Bonsai originated in China some 2000 years back. The Japanese adopted it from China and refined the art to its present level. Chinese Bonsai is different from its Japanese counterpart. Chinese Bonsai is pruned lightly and is much more freestyle. The Japanese Bonsai on the other hand is heavily pruned so that it resembles a miniature version of the original tree.

Myths

Bonsai is an artistic pursuit that unfortunately has been surrounded by many myths. To begin with, a bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant. Bonsai can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or young trees. Bonsai are kept small by pruning the branches, roots, wiring the trunk and branches, and by continuously repotting them. Another myth surrounding bonsai is that it is a cruel art. This is absolutely untrue because bonsai are given appropriate amount of water, sunlight, air, and nutrients. A properly maintained bonsai often lives longer than the full size tree of that species.

For Starters

If you are a beginner, it is very important for you to understand the three most important factors in bonsai. First bonsai is all about proper placing. You have to make sure that your bonsai gets the right mix of indoor and outdoor environment. It has to get proper amount of sunlight, but at the same time it cannot be permanently left outdoor.

The second key element in bonsai art is watering. Bonsai require regular watering, but you cannot overdo it as it might kill your bonsai tree. Therefore, you need to first find out how much water your bonsai tree requires and water it accordingly.

The third most important factor in caring for your bonsai is its maintenance. You need to continuously prune, shape, and style your bonsai tree so that it becomes a miniature replica of the original species. You would need to continuously repot the tree and trim its roots. You have to make sure that it gets all the nutrients in appropriate amount.

Bonsai is a very personalized hobby, one that requires a lot of commitment and patience. You have to pay attention to every minute detail. Sometimes your efforts might not bear fruit, but you should not give up. Once you see your bonsai grow and take shape, it will give you a lot of satisfaction. Bonsai are often passed on from one generation to the next and you can do the same with yours.