Words Of Wisdom In Growing A Bonsai Tree

July 19, 2008 |

by Chris Channing

Bonsai plants have a lot more to them than what most would think. A bonsai plant is often seen as a symbol of laziness and improper care- but this is exactly the opposite of the truth. Bonsai plants are quite complicated to grow and require much attention to grow them correctly.

Bonsai trees are a creation of human curiousity and nature. They actually got their start around 4,000 years ago in the Eastern hemisphere of the world, where the techniques in growing the trees first started to become common. Since the 4,000 years have passed, the bonsai tree has become quite an icon in the Eastern culture and surrounding areas.

One of the key aspects of keeping a bonsai tree to stay small is to pot it in a specific area. While there are many ways to keep the roots from spreading, the common way is to simply use a pot that has restricted room for growth. It is also common to grow bonsai trees between rocks or other hard surfaces- which shows the “will to survive” in a symbolic manner.

Just as important as the pot is the pruning that takes place. Pruning keeps the branches and twigs of the bonsai tree small. This will ensure that even with a bonsai tree that is becoming too large, the size can be moderated with relative ease. Pruning is also important for removing dead limbs or leaves, which is vital to keep odds of the bonsai tree’s survival up high enough to ensure success.

Watering the bonsai plant is very important, since they have less roots to intake moisture. Heat and wind exposure can dry the plant up and kill it with haste- so it’s important to keep the soil damp at all times. This means that constant watering is needed in addition to the careful pruning and other care factors. Keep in mind that watering too frequently will allow fungus to grow- so do so in moderation.

The final aspect of bonsai tree shaping to be discussed is wiring. Any type of flexible wire such as copper can be used to wind around the bonsai tree. By winding the copper tightly enough, one can shape how the tree goes during the growing stages. Keep in mind that winding it too tight or leaving the wire on too long can kill the tree, or seriously deform it and ruin any progress that was made up to that point.

Final Thoughts

A bonsai tree is a wonderful thing to create- but it is something that is regarded as an art form since they are indeed so hard to maintain. But if the proper time and skills are maintained, one can learn how to create these marvels in history and even gain the respect of other planters and friends or family. The best course of action would be to simply buy a book or take a class for more information.

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