Styles Of Bonsai Trees
Bonsai trees and plants vary greatly in style and size. Miniature specimens, up to 6 inches tall, are usually naturally dwarf plants trained even smaller. Small bonsai stand up to 12 inches tall, and medium trees from 1 - 2 1 2 feet. Bonsai do not have to be small however, with some magnificent trees at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo growing more than 6 feet tall. These plants are hundreds of years old The most important classification of style refers to the angle at which the trunk stands in the...
A Guide To Bonsai Leaves
Here are the leaves of a number of common plants that you may find in a bonsai nursery. Generally speaking, you should look for trees with small needles or leaves. The most popular evergreen trees for bonsai are pines, junipers and spruces. Among the pines, short-needles varieties are preferable, although the Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii can have its rather long needles reduced in size by removing all new growth every second year. Other popular varieties include Japanese cedar and yew....
Rock Plantings
The idea of planting trees on or over rocks has come from nature herself in the picture of a gnarled pine clinging to the protection of an outcropping of rock, or of a small, twisted tree growing on a cliff face. In rock plantings, the tree can either be planted in or on the rock itself, or it can be trained over the rock, with the roots buried in the soil of the container. Rocks used for such plantings should be fairly hard, since soft rocks tend to rot after prolonged exposure to the...
Outdoor Bonsai Maintenance Tips
Don't crowd bonsai plants. You should leave about 8 - 12 inches of space between the outspread branches of adjacent plants so that each plant can develop independently. Make sure the plants receive at least morning sun, more if climate permits. This is particularly important in spring when plants are putting out new growth. Rotate containers about a quarter turn in the same direction every other week to expose all sides to the same conditions. Otherwise, new growth will be strongest on the...
Display Stands
Keeping your collection of bonsai trees on a stand makes them easier to work with and to see, and gives protection from extremes of weather. The large design on the left is simple to build from wood, having a shade of timber battens and a slatted bench-top. There is a shelf for miniature bonsai at the back and a tool drawer under the bench. In severe weather, the trees can be placed under the bench and enclosed with heavy-gauge clear plastic sheeting shown rolled . The smaller example is based...
Benches and Shelves
You can put together a simple bonsai bench in a matter of minutes. Select a sturdy wooden plank, such as a 2 x 12, and raise it on concrete blocks, bricks, or flat stones. If you use slats 2 x 2's, or 2 x 4's instead of a single plank, water will drain through the bench. If you display bonsai on shelves placed against a wall or fence, remember that the heat reflection from light-colored walls can seriously damage bonsai plants in the summer. Make sure these displays are sheltered from direct...
Table Of Contents
CHAPTER 1 - The History Of Bonsai CHAPTER 2 - Purchasing amp General Care CHAPTER 3 - Trees amp Leaves Suitable For Bonsai Culture CHAPTER 5 - How to prune bonsai trees CHAPTER 6 - How to train your bonsai tree CHAPTER 7 - Additional Training Techniques CHAPTER 8 - Displaying Your Bonsai Outdoors CHAPTER 9 - Building Display Stands amp Winter Shelters