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Bonsai |
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Plants decorate the interior and exterior of our houses and it's literally translated as 'tray planting' in Japanese. It has now developed into a whole new form and the tree and the pot form a single harmonious unit where the shape, texture and color of one, compliments the other. The techniques of Bonsai are no crueler than that of any other horticultural endeavor. It is a common belief that bonsai plants are only a few centimeters tall while their huge life-sized brothers are almost over 25 centimeters tall and up to 1 meter in height. Theydeserveit provides a brief account about the bonsai plants.
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The techniques of bonsai originated in Asia and in China. In Zen Buddhism, where the pastime originated, the bonsai are small and in the present world bonsai is viewed as a hobby allowing a greater understanding of being with nature and also a way to enhance our gardens. Bonsai is mostly developed from seeds or cuttings of young trees or from naturally occurring stunted trees transplanted into containers. By periodic repotting, pinching off new growth, and by wiring the branches and trunks so that they grow into the desired shape, and bonsai are kept miniature and trained by pruning branches and roots.
Bonsai can live for hundreds of years, given proper care prized specimens being passed from generation to generation, and revered as a reminder of those who have cared for them over the centuries. Bonsai, which are, meticulously cared for, over the years are containing a wealth of knowledge are extremely beautiful. Bonsai are not special hybrid dwarfs but ordinary trees or plants and the small leafed varieties are most suitable, in fact any plant can be used, regardless of the size it grows with in the original world.
Varieties of pine, azalea, camellia, bamboo and plum are often used in Japan and the artist rather expresses a personal aesthetic philosophy by manipulating it and not by duplicating the nature. Bonsai are primarily kept outdoors and are grown in special containers. Bonsai was introduced to Japan during the Kamakura period by means of Zen Buddhism, which was spreading rapidly in Asia. The simple trees over time were not confined to the Buddhist monks and monasteries, but also were introduced as a representative of the aristocracy.
Bonsai was indeed a highly refined art form by the fourteenth century and it became an essential part of Japanese life as it was displayed on specially designed shelves. In the 17th and 18th century, the Japanese art reached its peak and was regarded very highly. The removal of all but the most important parts of the plant is now the main factor in maintaining bonsai. There are the five main styles of bonsai maintenance, which are: formal upright, informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade and cascade.
Formal Upright- this type of bonsai styling is known to have grown in the open under perfect conditions. The trunk should be perfectly straight, tapering naturally and evenly from base to peak. The branches must be symmetric in spacing so that they are balanced when viewed from different direction and it is quite a demanding style to achieve. The most recommended species are Larches, Junipers, Pines and Spruces, and Maples etc.
Informal Upright - such trees in nature alter their direction away from wind or shade, or towards light. The trunk in an informal upright bonsai should bend slightly to the right or left, but never towards the viewer. The most recommended species are Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum), Beech, Crab Apple, Cotoneaster and Pomegranate.
Slanting Style-the slanting generally occurs due to of battering winds or deep shade during the stages of early development. The whole trunk, whether curved or straight, inclines at a definite angle. The stronger roots grow away on the side, from the angle of the trunk leaning, to support the weight. The most recommended species are mostly similar to the species of the informal upright and work equally well for conifers.
Cascade -The tip of a cascade bonsai plant reaches below the base of the container and the trunk has a natural taper giving the impression of the forces of nature pulling against the forces of gravity. Branches appear to be searching the light and the winding main trunk is reminiscent of a stream wandering down the side of a mountain.
Semi-Cascade- like the cascade, the tip of semi-cascade, projects over the brim of the container, but it doesn't drop below its base. When trees grow on cliffs or overhang water the style occurs in nature. The slant of the trunk in this bonsai is not precise, as long as the essence is powerfully horizontal, even if the plant develops well below the level of the pot brim and any exposed root should balance the trunk. Flowering cherries, cedars and junipers are the best examples for this kind of bonsai styling.
As you go deep into the interesting facts of Bonsai you will realize the importance and beauty of bonsai in enhancing the home décor.
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