The Ancient Art of Bonsai

At first encounter a bonsai can seem strange. There, standing in front of you is a miniature tree with all the natural dignity and gnarled venerability of one many times its size - yet it is only 12 inches tall! Defined simply, bonsai is a dwarfed tree growing in a tray or pot, (bon means tray or pot in Japanese; sai means to plant; so bonsai means literally “planted in a tray”). Bonsai is considered an art in its home country, Japan, and among its devotees throughout the world.
Bonsai are not exact duplicates of trees growing in the wild. Rather, they are evocations of the spirit of nature, manmade shapes that suggest nature. Like an impressionistic painting, they aim to solicit a mood or feeling, rather than duplicate nature exactly, as a photograph might. A single bonsai might suggest an entire scene to the viewer — with sounds and smells and the feel of the air. Generally, bonsai are classified according to size, attitude and number of trunks growing from a single root, number of trees in a group planting, and the kind of base the plant has.

Caring for Bonsai

It is a common misconception that bonsai are tormented and neglected. This is far from true. Bonsai thrive on a simple regime of watering and occasional feeding.

Location

The first consideration is where to keep a bonsai. Though very small, a bonsai is still a forest-type tree, an outdoor plant. It can be brought inside under special circumstances, but normally it should be kept outside. Some varieties are suitable for indoor locations. It is important to protect the bonsai from any extremes such as heavy winds, intense sunlight and heat, or heavy and continuous rains. The ideal location for the plant is an area where it can get plenty of sunlight, but where it is protected from strong afternoon sun.

Watering

Watering a bonsai is really quite easy. Since a bonsai tree exists in a very small container, its soil holds little water in reserve and therefore must be watered regularly. The rule is simple — water the plant when the soil is dry. Poking a finger into the earth below the surface moss helps one decide if there is enough water. When the moisture is gone, it’s time to water. When the weather is extremely hot you may need to water twice a day, mild weather may mean watering just three or four times a week. Chlorine and other additives in tap water may harm bonsai, so it is best to use well water, rain water, or distilled water. The traditional way to water bonsai is with a watering can with a fine-spray head at the end of it’s spout. Wave the can up and down over the plant so the fine spray cleans and cools the foliage. If you water the soil directly, make sure to mist the foliage regularly.

Fertilizing

For most bonsai, you can use a liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion or an organic house plant food. Follow the label instructions precisely for diluting, and be careful not to get any fertilizer on the foliage, as it may burn.

Pruning and Pinching

Pruning: There are different types of pruning on your bonsai -- one is drastic pruning, and the other is nipping or pinching back. It isn't enough just to know when and where to prune, any more than it is enough to have "good taste" One needs both, and both come with increased contact with a Bonsai. Pruning is normally just a one-time operation, which establishes the basic shape of a plant by removing nonessential and unsightly branches. Study the tree carefully before deciding which branches to remove. Pinching back is a means of controlling new growth before it becomes woody and demands drastic pruning. Regular and proper pruning gives you control over the tree's size and shape. It can make the plant more dense and controls the direction of growth. Pinching back may be done any time during the growing season most often with fingers or tweezers.

Above all, bonsai is an art, in this case the art of the human hand cooperating with nature. Viewing bonsai should be a kind of rest, a pause in the quick pace of daily life, a brief contact with nature’s great calm.

Source: Sunset Bonsai Illustrated Guide to an Ancient Art., pub. 1965.