The art of Bonsai did not begin as a horticulturist’s hobby; it actually began when Japanese and Chinese herbal medical practitioners devised a means of miniaturizing their raw materials for easy transport as they went from village to village offering their services to the sick.

But the artistic appeal of the small potted trees was undeniable, especially in Japan where land is at a premium. Bonsai trees were the original dish garden, and they are more popular then ever today. You can quickly learn the art of caring for these miniature plants by purchasing some beginner bonsai trees, and you don’t even have to go to a specialized plant shop to do it.

It’s possible to use bonsai techniques to miniaturize any tree; a beginner bonsai tree is simply a standard tree or shrub which has been pruned and shaped. Find a type of tree which grows well in your area; or pick a beginner tree which has specific symbolism in Japan. Pine trees represent everlasting life; plum trees represent good fortune; cherry trees represent loyalty; azaleas represent family devotion; and Japanese maples with their brilliant autumn colors represent the fleetingness of life.

If you choose a flowering fruit bearing tree for you beginner bonsai tree, keep in mind that pruning the tree to keep it small will not miniaturize the fruit, so the weight of the fruit will damage the branches if you allow it to develop fully. You can remove the fruit wile it is still forming, or allow just one or two pieces of it to develop fully, although it may ruin the artistic proportions of your tree for a short time. You’ll also have to find a way of supporting the branches which hold the fruit.

When you have chosen your beginner bonsai tree, you can concentrate on how you want to shape it. You’ll need to research your tree’s natural growth habits; and you’ll have to determine the appropriate time of year to do your pruning. You can’t shape your beginner bonsai tree during the periods when its sap is running. You’ll have to give your tree adequate sun and water, just like you would any living plant.

There’s a certain art to watering beginner bonsai trees. You should wait until the soil around your tree is slightly dry to the touch, and water the tree from above until the soil is thoroughly wet. Don’t ever remove the tree from its container and submerge the roots in water. You can tell if your tree has had enough to drink when water starts dripping from the drainage holes in its pot. By watering in this way, you’ll keep damaging salts from accumulating in the soil of your bonsai tree.

Beginner bonsai trees are delightful additions to any gardener’s collection and can even live long enough to become family heirlooms if they are properly cared for!

Tags: Bonsai Trees

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