Bonsai is an art of growing and training a plant in a miniature shape that has an ancient age natural look. It is originated in China and later became popular as Japanese art. It includes extreme dwarfing methods. The optimum height of bonsai maybe only 30 to 60 cm, but also miniature sizes below 25 cm. Bonsai at least 10 years of age are temporary, but they are available at 100 and even 200 years of age and are highly regarded as ‘ venerable ‘ specimens.
Bonsai needs unique container kinds. Usually, they should be shallow with a depth of 5 to 7.5 cm. It is preferred to use round, hexagonal or square containers with a diameter of 25 to 30 cm. For bonsai culture, containers with particular colors such as mosaic, sky blue, terra cotta, gray or jungle green are well suited. Plants that can be adapted as juniper for extreme dwarfing. Appropriate materials for bonsai culture are pine, elm, maple, cypress. But the tree species such as Manilkhara, Sapota, Bassia, Tamarind and Ficus spp are found in tropical locations such as India. And the shrubs are well adapted to West Indian cherry.
By coiling them with strong wire, trunk and branches can be bent, forced and attached. After several months of practice in form, this wire is withdrawn. The plants of bonsai can be taught in various forms such as a twisted trunk, upright, S-shaped, semi-cascade, cascade, slanting, or any other official form. Planting both tips and roots generally takes place at the moment of planting, and periodically pinching the tip and removing the surplus side shoots is vital to keep the overall design outline. The crops are either repotted or removed from the pot annually, pruned root and reset.
The bonsai plant is supplied sparingly with weekly fertilizer solution containing both large and small nutrients. Oil cakes excerpts can also be added sometimes. Similarly, only minimal humidity requirements are provided to the plant. Watering crops kept in shallow containers twice a day and plants kept in deeper pots once a day is advisable.
Principles of Bonsai Plants
- Small foliage or needles
- Cutting internodes
- Beautiful bark or roots
- Branching features
Styles of Bonsai Plants
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- Formal Upright
It’s one of the most natural styles with a completely straight trunk. To suggest age, the branches should alternate from left to right. The upper third branches will be separated and the rest will be pulled down.
2. Informal Upright
A slightly curving trunk showing the rough aspects of nature characterizes this style. Using wire and/or cables, this can be done with ease. Conifers are as suitable as deciduous trees.
3. Slanting
It’s so-called because the trunk’s overall slope is very pronounced. The branches are supposed to lie horizontally or fall down slightly. The origins of the ground have an unstable appearance, but the impression is well anchored.
4. Broom
It has a straight trunk that starts dividing and dividing into many branches. The features are the dense, finely branched crown. Beech, Elm, False Cypress and Maple are some trees for this style.
5. Clasped-to-Stone
It’s a loved one, but creating a style is hard. The rock’s size and shape should complement the plant on a gravel or water platter. You could spend a whole section on this style.
6. Windblown
In nature, it’s uncommon. On cliffs or hills, this type of tree is discovered. In one direction, the trunk, branches, and twigs are taught to offer the effect of powerful wind and storm.
Best Season for Growing Bonsai Plants
1 July – August
2. February – March
The best time is before the opening of the buds
Potting and repotting Bonsai Plant
- You can trim 1/3 of the roots
- Long taproots should be adjusted
- To thin out excessive branches
- Equilibrated nutrition and adequate watering are required
- Potting during winter or warm months is not recommended
- Repotting takes place after 2-3 years
