Beautiful bonsai - Combining both art and horticulture

By definition bonsai is the art of creating a miniature tree in a container. This art form was developed in China between the 10th and 13th centuries. During the latter part of this period, the art form spread to Japan.

Because of China's warm southern regions, most of the plants used by Chinese artists are tropical and subtropical species. On the other hand, because Japan has a temperate climate, Japanese artists work primarily with conifers, deciduous species and broadleaf evergreens.

Bonsai is a combination of both art and horticulture. As an art form, nature is recreated in miniature. A bonsai can display the appearance of an old gnarly pine struggling to survive in a rocky, mountainous soil. Another bonsai might suggest a beautiful old tree that casts its shade over an entire landscape.

The artist's work is always a work in progress. Because bonsai are living entities, they are constantly changing. The bonsai artist works with these changes by pruning, shaping, watering and fertilizing to continue the enhancement of the beauty of each individual plant.

If you are interested in bonsai, I suggest you begin by purchasing one already started at a local garden center. If you want a bonsai to stay indoors then choose one of the tropical varieties such as ficus, serissa, Chinese elm, jade or Fujian tea. Species suitable for outdoor bonsai are pines, junipers and cotoneaster, to name a few. These species are cold-hardy and require cold temperatures for winter dormancy.

The horticulture of bonsai is probably the greatest challenge a neophyte bonsai enthusiast encounters. How do you keep it growing vigorously and healthy? First, you must water correctly.

Most bonsai soils are porous. These soils, made primarily from gravels, sand and peat, do not retain moisture readily for good reason. Since your bonsai is growing in a container, a tight, heavy soil would hold moisture too long, and your bonsai roots would easily rot. Because of the porosity of the bonsai soil you will need to check the soil for moisture every day. Watering frequency will vary with changing environmental conditions such as light intensity, air movement and relative humidity.

The easiest way to water a small bonsai is by immersion. Fill a large container with water. Hold the bonsai pot under water until all of the air bubbles have escaped from the soil. Then place the bonsai on a saucer or in a sink and allow excess water to drain off.

In addition to water, tropical bonsai species require high relative humidity. These bonsai should be placed on a humidity tray. Keep water in this tray at all times.

Use a balanced, soluble fertilizer, such as 20-20-20, occasionally to keep your bonsai growing vigorously. In Southeast Missouri, plants naturally grow slowly during the winter months and more rapidly during the spring and summer months. Therefore, fertilize twice a month during the period of rapid growth. During periods of slow growth reduce fertilization to once a month.

As your bonsai grows, you will need to occasionally prune away excess foliage. Use a thin, long-nose pruning shear. You will be able to get into tight areas with this tool. Prune to continually enhance the individual beauty of your bonsai. Remember, bonsai is a work in progress.

Your bonsai should be placed in a well-lit location. Indoor bonsai should be situated next to a window or you should illuminate it with a grow light. Outdoor bonsai should be placed in full sun to partial shade, depending upon the species that you have selected.

If you select a bonsai that consists of a species from a temperate climatic zone, you will have to allow it to go through winter dormancy. Therefore you will need to keep it in a cool place during the winter, while not letting it freeze.

I have just mentioned a few of the things you need to keep in mind if you want to become a bonsai enthusiast. Don't let the horticultural challenge discourage you. Once you get to know your bonsai, you'll have a plant companion for a long time to come.

Send your gardening and landscape questions to Paul Schnare at P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or by e-mail to news@semissourian.com.