Monday, 4 April 2011

Basic Facts About The Bonsai Tree

By Bob Flukes


While other people refer to this as a dwarf plant, but the fact remains that the bonsai tree literally means "potted plant" and that it first appeared in China. Two words make up for what this plant means, with 'bon' that means dish and 'sai' which means tree or plant. The name gives away the fact that indeed, the tray or container is the home for this small shrub.

The early specimens of this kind first appeared in China, more than a thousand years ago. Growing these specimen trees in pots has been considered as an expression of elements in harmony, between heaven and earth. Having one nearby is believed to bring peace and tranquility to whoever takes care of it. Buddhist monks are the first people to grow these inside their monasteries. The image of taking care of these potted plants evolved when it reached Japan, as cultivating these trees has been associated with the rich, Japanese elite and used to pose as a symbol of aristocracy, prestige and honor. Aside from taking care of their own bonsai trees at home, they also buy some more of these for display on special occasions.

Bonsai tree types include indoor bonsai, outdoor species divided into evergreen trees like junipers and pines and deciduous trees like maples, ginko and elms to name a few. Indoor ones are great gifts for beginner growers. Varieties of this type include serissa, fukien tea, sago palms, schefflera, aralias, brush cherry, gardenias, bougainvillea and money tree, among others. If there are species perfect for starters, Aged Specimen is the one that can make an excellent gift for bonsai enthusiasts.

As for the other types, the outdoor species are those types that can be placed outside of one's home like azaleas, boxwoods, most junipers and pines. Meanwhile, the deciduous trees are the type that lose their leaves in the fall but will grow back again in spring. Some of these types include ginkgo, maple, larch, apricot, crabapple and other elm species.

Do you know that taking care of the bonsai tree highly depends on their type? For the indoor ones, these species are needed to be taken out every morning to get six hours of sun exposure, as this would keep them healthy. It should also be known that these types have to be watered daily using a controlled amount of clean, fresh water so as not to weaken and rot the roots. For those outdoor varieties, these should be well protected against the presence of outside pests and animals, as well as being sheltered as required to really avoid too cold temperature during winter.

As for the deciduous types, these have to be watered every other day and be treated with fertilizers every few weeks with little exposure to direct sunlight especially during winter months where the temperature is too cold.

Generally, these plants are much needed to be relocated to another tray after a year or two, so you can trim the old and bigger roots well and allow the smaller ones to grow. It is also best to put them in a clean container with holes at the sides to let the excess water flow outside and to keep the soil of the plant well hydrated. Remember to keep the bonsai out of the direct sunlight in between its hottest hours, from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Too much sun exposure will quickly dehydrate and kill the plant. All in all, a good supply and balance of humidity, fertilizer, light, heat and water supply in order to take care of this small tree. This definitely goes back to having bonsai tree around as a symbol of calmness, peace and balance around your home.




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