The Art of Cultivating Bonsai Trees

Bonsai tree cultivation has been a Japanese tradition for hundreds and hundreds of years.  Translating literally to "tray planting," cultivating a bonsai tree involves actively working to shape a tree into a dwarfed, artistic version of itself.  Bonsai trees are not special hybrids or dwarf species of common trees; they’re genetically the same as their much bigger brothers and sisters.  It’s the careful cultivation that keeps these trees small.  Surprisingly, the trees are not damaged by this process, however.  In fact, given the proper attention, the dwarfed version of a tree can live longer than the same tree if it was allowed to grow in the wild.

Bonsai trees can either be grown from seeds or from cuttings of trees, and they normally grow in height from two inches to three feet.  They are kept small through pruning both branches and roots.  They’re also repotted periodically, and new growth is often pinched off. 

Cultivating bonsai trees is actually as much about art as it is about horticulture.  Not only are bonsai trees kept miniture, they are also shaped into pleasing forms.  They often follow a number of different growth patterns, from simple triangles to waterfall shapes cascading down over their pots.  The shapes are normally a product of both the pruning of the tree and through the use of wrapping the trunk and branches with wire, shaping the tree into its desired form.  The pots themselves are part of the art as well, chosen to compliment the color and shape of the tree itself.  Mosses and rocks are often added to the base for aesthetic appeal. 

Taking care of a bonsai tree is more complicated than maintaining most houseplants.  Since the bonsai has has a smaller root system than most plants, it needs water and fertilizer more often than the majority of garden-variety houseplants.  Pruining is also essential occasionally, since the bonsai tree would grow into just a normal large tree without pruning.  Also, if wire is used to help mold and form the tree, it is important to take care that the wire doesn’t dig into the bark of the tree, scarring the branches permanently.  Depending on the type of bonsai tree and your climate, you may be able to keep some bonsai trees outside year round, while others will need to be kept inside for at least part of the year.  Since moisture in the soil, branches, and leaves of the bonsai is important, they need to be misted occasionally to remain healthy.