What is bonsai in Japan - the art of growing flowers

Asian culture is increasingly penetrating modern European society. Some people misunderstand what bonsai is. This is not a special dwarf tree, but a plant that has been grown in a certain way.

Special representatives

This type of gardening has a long history. His homeland is China and India. In Japan, bonsai appeared in the 6th century, and this art was brought by itinerant monks. Gradually, 15 styles were developed that made it possible to turn trees into beautiful miniatures.

True masters perceive the technique of creating bonsai as an opportunity to create something unique and highlight the beauty of nature. They can be grown not only from indoor plants, but also from garden plants.

Not everyone can master the art of creating dwarf compositions.

Bonsai is an art that requires a special approach. The trunk and branches create a special charm that brings the miniature to life. Strict quality requirements are imposed on the tree.

Japanese culture

In the Land of the Rising Sun, bonsai became popular during the Tokugawa era. Then the rich people sought to create beautiful parks, and the monks - gardens. Followers of the Buddha believed that through plants they create new worlds.

Therefore, growing bonsai, a person joined God or became rich. In Japan, these trees are in great demand. Pots with them are placed in rooms and in the garden.

Tourists do not always understand what real bonsai is in Japan. In the land of the Rising Sun, this is a real art, which is subject only to true masters. In cities, such dwarf trees allow you to preserve a piece of nature in miniature apartments.

The most expensive specimen

Bonsai is a Japanese art, but it is only available to wealthy people. Each instance has to spend a lot of time. The record in this area belongs to a tree, which was sold at auction for $ 1.3 million.

Old bonsai

In addition to bonsai, which is the most expensive, there are specimens that are distinguished by an impressive age. The record holder in this field is already 800 years old. The trunk is very thick and wonderfully intertwined, and the crown spreads beautifully.

Among the dwarf trees, there are also unusual representatives. One master was able to grow wisteria, which blooms beautifully. Another person not only grew a wonderful bonsai, but also created a composition for him in the form of a house for the Hobbit.

One of the most famous street bonsai artists is M. Kimura.

An example of a composition by a famous author

From the Japanese language, the word "bonsai" is translated as "grown in a tray." In the Land of the Rising Sun, dwarf trees are grown for apartments. Due to their flat root system, they need wide, low pots. The pallet also becomes part of the composition.

It is not necessary to know how the word "bonsai" is translated. It is important to understand how to create a composition and what to consider.

Bonsai for beginners

Dwarf trees are of great importance for connoisseurs of oriental culture. Before you start creating bonsai, you need to study all the features of this art.

Bonsai for a beginner is not such an easy thing. You need to adhere to certain rules, take care of the tree and prune in time. You need to understand how the basic terms are translated.

The definition of "nebari" is easy to find in the literature. This word means "tree roots" that protrude from the ground. "Edabari" is a definite distribution of branches along the trunk.

The leaves should be small and form a dense crown. Taking care of such a plant is not so easy, as mistakes can spoil the image of the tree.

Approximate literature

A large number of books have been translated into Russian on how to create conditions for growing bonsai and what to look for when forming a composition.

A. de la Paz created the Great Atlas of Bonsai. The book contains detailed information on the technology of creating dwarf trees for home and garden. A large number of color illustrations will help a beginner to understand everything correctly.

M. Kawasumi wrote the book "Secrets of Bonsai". It contains detailed master classes on how to form compositions and the image of a plant. There is information about the features of several styles and the maintenance of the crown.

Step-by-step instructions are in the book by M. Zgurska “Bonsai. Indoor floriculture ". The author gives detailed comments on how to create dwarf trees.

Literature on the topic allows you to better understand how exactly such an unusual plant is formed, what conditions need to be created and how to maintain them.

Set of tools

Before learning about bonsai, what it means and how to create it, a person will need to prepare certain materials. First you need to find a suitable container. It is desirable that it be ceramic, as such a pot is stable.

For work, it is better to choose only reliable and high-quality tools.

Growing a dwarf tree requires serious preparation. You need to stock up on wire, plastic mesh, a hoe, large tweezers, a spray bottle and a watering can. A sharp knife and pruning shears will help you quickly and accurately trim the crown and roots. This must be done on a regular basis, since timely correction allows the tree to form correctly.

Step-by-step guides will help a beginner to properly organize work. There is no rush in this kind of art.

Basic styles

Bonsai flower can be presented in different forms. Traditional styles differ in the shape of the crown. For example, with a straight line, there is one trunk, and with an informal one, there are two or three. Sometimes the trunk can be doubled and united by a common crown.

Nivaki bonsai requires a particularly complex formation. For him, only three branches are left on one tier and four at the top. Instructions and visuals help you to properly understand how to trim. Detailed master classes contain information about all stages of work.

In the open field, you can use garden trees - cherry or apple tree. In size, you can strive for both dwarf specimens and large ones.

The oldest bonsai in the world is distinguished not only by its age, but also by the bizarre curved shape of the trunk. Therefore, the master can not limit his imagination and create what he sees fit.

At home, you can make an artificial rock for the plant or something similar to it. This will give a special atmosphere to the composition.

Preparation technique

Garden bonsai in Russia can be grown under different conditions. Spiraea, lilac, pear and irga are best suited for the country's climate. They grow well and are beneficial to pruning branches.

You can also make a dwarf tree from juniper. A similar specimen can grow well in indoor conditions. An evergreen coniferous plant is not as susceptible to mistakes during grooming.

Pine also makes good dwarf trees for the garden. It is important to properly shape the crown and trunk, which will create a spectacular plant.

For home use ficuses with small leaves. They are easy to find on the market and require little maintenance.

Preparing for planting

If the goal is to obtain a specimen from seeds, the seed is pre-prepared. To do this, it is soaked in a weak solution of manganese for a day, after which large seeds are selected and planted in the ground.

After the seedling has grown enough, it is taken out of the ground and the roots are cut off by a third. The cut points are sprinkled with crushed coal. It is advisable to immediately determine the shape of the crown and remove excess branches.

Root manipulations are carried out once a year, with the crown as needed. You need to be patient right away, since it will take a lot of time to create a dwarf tree.

Garden bonsai

Even in an ordinary summer cottage, you can create an ordinary Japanese composition. To do this, you must first decide on which seedling will serve as a material.

Bonsai in gardens are made from coniferous or deciduous specimens. To do this, pinching of young shoots is carried out, which will allow for better growth of the plant.

To change the growth of shoots, the branches are fixed with wire at the desired angle. Surplus vegetation is constantly cut with pruning shears.

Any person can make bonsai from thuja with their own hands. To do this, he just needs to decide on the style of the tree. The trunk is wrapped with wire and the branches are fixed with it so that they grow in a certain direction.

Presentations of ready-made miniature trees will help determine the desired result. You should not rush and strive to immediately get the desired image.

Any bonsai takes time to properly form the crown.

The most difficult thing is to make a beautifully blooming bonsai, since you need to correctly cut the branches. If lilac is chosen for experiments, then it is worth knowing in advance how to properly stimulate the flowering of the tree and increase the number of clusters with flowers.

If a person does not know what bonsai is, where to start a beginner, you should first study special literature. In it, he will find answers to all questions on the topic. Only then can you start creating miniature trees. Bonsai can have beautiful flowers that will brighten up any garden. But it will take a long time to create the final image.