Flowers and plants

Bonsai 

This page contain following subject:

  • Introduction
  • Penjin
  • Care

Introduction

People probably have grown plants in pots to decorate their house and surrounding. Also plants for therapeutic purpose and plants for use in the kitchen were put in pots. The art of pruning in a special shape is developed in China about 2000 year ago. This art of growing plants in pots they called Penjin. From the year 700 AC China influenced Japan in  many ways. Also Penjing came in Japan as Bonsai to an own development. After 1500 Bonsai in Japan became a real art. Bonsai means tree in a pot. Important is the process of growing and living.
Bonsai is mainly for outside. But in Holland we because of the climate also see some species for the use in the house. The art is to let grow the plant in a special kind of soil. Pruning the roots and branches is essential. We must create the shape we want. Sometimes we use metal wire for binding the branches. This wire must be removed after a while because it can grow in the branches of stem.

Many species of trees, shrubs and conifers are suitable for creating a Bonsai. Also ordinary trees or young plants from the woods can be used. Look for plants which look like old , bended or strange. Also you can create a group of young trees to give the image of a wood. Hanging or crawling species can be used to create a cascade.

Penjin
Penjing is the Chinese way of growing plants in pots. It is the oldest we know. Some examples I have found on my journeys.

Taiwan, nursery and shop Taiwan, nursery and shop China Wuxi, nursery and shop China Zouzhou, Humble Administrators garden China, Zouzhou, Humble administrators garden

There are many styles in Bonsai. Bonsai usually have a front side (face) and a back. Some styles:

  • Upright style
  • Bend style
  • Slanting style
  • Cascade style
  • Twisted style
  • Trained style

We look also tot the shape of the root, the shape of the leaves and stems or crown shape, how many stems, the composition, the size and so on (this summary is no complete).

Care

Pruning is a very important activity. We can prune the roots and branches. We prune to create the shape we want and to keep the Bonsai small. We also use metal wire to wire around branches. This is essential to bend the branches in a specific direction.
Repotting we do to give new soil to the plant, to improve the structure and to give more air to the roots. When we repot we also can prune the roots. Watering must be done often each day, but only if necessary. Give water in the morning because the Bonsai can use it a long time during the day. When it is dry and warm we can spray the tree with water. A good level of humidity is very important. Eventually we can plunge the pot in a bucket with water.
Nutrition we can give during the growing period. Check the tree often on insects.

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Last update of this page 23.05.2004