What is Bonsai

What is Bonsai

What do you see when you look at a bonsai tree? Do you see the skill of the grower? Or do you see the artistic flair of the person who patiently groomed and trained the bonsai? A bonsai is both, part agriculture and part artist.

Technically a bonsai tree is a tree specimen planted in a pot.

Artistically a bonsai tree is a work of art.  It is grown to replicate a vision seen in the grower's mind and eye.

As the tree matures the grower/artist will prune and train the tree, to achieve this vision. Excessive leaves and branch growth are often removed according to this plan.

As the bonsai matures the grower may also train or encourage a branch to grow in a particular direction, according to the plan for the tree.

Bonsai trees are traditionally kept small in size. These small bonsai trees are often accessorized with miniature rocks, architectural features or figures that help create or amplify the intended image that the grower envisioned.

In keeping with the bonsai traditions everything in the bonsai tree must work as one. All of the components are important to the total image, however none are more important visually than another component.

It has been often said that patience is a virtue. As a bonsai grower, you will require considerable amounts of patience.  One doesn't simply purchase a bonsai and throw it in a pot and forget about it.  The Bonsai must be nurtured, trained and groomed.

The growth rate of your bonsai will certainly depend on the variety of specimen that you choose to grow.  But most specimens are not overly fast growers.  It will take considerable amounts of patience to keep with your original concept of what this tree will eventually become, while allowing it to grow.

As a final thought on this subject,  a bonsai is tree that brings enjoyment to both the grower and those who are fortunate enough to see this magnificent plant.  

 By Justin Lee