the great joys of growing bonsai
bonsai are trees and plants that grow in containers in such a way that they look more beautiful, even more beautiful than those that grow in nature. growing bonsai is therefore a highly artistic hobby as well as a traditional Japanese art. it is also a good illustration of the gentle respect the Japanese have for living things and an expression of their sense of what is beautiful. it is much more complicated than growing flowers in pots and requires a much greater commitment, both physical and emotional.
The word “bonsai” was first used in a poem from the mid-14th century, but earlier bonsai culture can be seen in picture scrolls that They date from 1309. It became more widely enjoyed around three centuries later, during the Edo period (1603-1867).
In ancient times, bonsai used to be enjoyed by aristocrats, priests, and other high-ranking people, but commoners also began to enjoy them from the Edo period (1603-1867). later, during the meiji period (1868-1912) bonsai came to be appreciated as an art object, and people began to cultivate bonsai not only as a hobby but also as an artistic search. large-scale bonsai exhibitions also began to be organized and academic books on cultivation techniques were published.
Nowadays, growing bonsai is still a hobby enjoyed by everyone. It is also considered an important part of Japan’s cultural and artistic tradition, nurtured over the years by the nation’s climate and the people’s love of nature.
Caring for bonsai is no longer just a Japanese hobby. over 1,200 people from 32 countries attended the world bonsai convention held in omiya city, saitama prefecture, in 1989. the convention helped launch the world friendship federation bonsai , which has been a driving force in popularizing bonsai throughout the world. the world bonsai convention has been held every four years after the expo in japan, and has been hosted by the united states (orlando), south korea (seoul), germany (munich), the united states again (Washington D.C.), Puerto Rico (San Juan), and China (Jintan) before returning to Japan (Saitama City) in 2017.
types of bonsai
all kinds of trees and shrubs are used as bonsai. Essentially, any plant that can be grown in a small container can be grown as a bonsai. the most popular varieties include a type of pine called shohaku; the maples, whose leaves change color in autumn; flowering trees, such as cherry and plum; and fruit trees, such as quince and persimmon. In countries other than Japan, varieties that are better suited to the local climate are used. the trees can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 ft) or be small enough to fit in the palm of the hand.
There are several basic styles of bonsai. chokkan style bonsai trees have a trunk that grows straight up and branches that spread to the left, right, front and back in a balanced manner; shakan style trees have a leaning trunk that leans to one side; moyogi style trees have an s-shaped curved trunk. the fukinagashi style describes a tree shaped by strong winds, with bent trunks and branches growing in one direction, and the kengai style describes a tree that curves downward, It can be found in areas with steep slopes such as cliffs. While all types of bonsai trees have a tree shape that tends to best suit them, the most important thing to keep in mind is to allow the tree to freely express its individuality, without forcing it to conform to no particularity. category, and help her achieve her most beautiful and balanced form.
Just as people choose the clothes they look good in, choosing containers that best match the trees in terms of size, shape, and color allows the bonsai to look good with the most beautiful light
a little love goes a long way
The process of growing bonsai requires controlling the type of form the trees take. sometimes it is necessary to bend the branches with wires or cut them completely. You may think it’s cruel, but these steps are essential to keeping your tree healthy in a pot. trees have lives of their own, of course, and grow according to the laws of nature, so humans can never fully control them. the key is not to impose your will on them but to appreciate the dignity of each living plant and treat them with love and respect. bonsai that have been watered and carefully cared for day after day can make a deep and lasting impression on the viewer, especially when these trees are centuries old and have been inherited from a generation of bonsai . lovers to another.
unlike other works of art, there is no “finished” bonsai as long as the trees are still alive and growing; must continue to be cared for daily. that is why bonsai cultivation is sometimes called an endless art. For many enthusiasts, however, it is precisely this timelessness that makes raising bonsai so rewarding and valuable.
