UNDERSTANDING BONSAI PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Pieter Loubser | 286 pages | 11 Jan 2006 | Createspace | 9781412058957 | English | none A Beginner's Guide to Bonsai Trees - Arborist Now It's wonderful to gather together. In Japan bonsai has an ancient history borne of nature. Bonsai is enlightenment and brings peace. It is well known and appreciated. It's the duty of all of us that love bonsai to keep alive this "torch of peace. In doing so, they learn from nature and learn a philosophy of life. Even a person who doesn't understand bonsai can appreciate and be moved by its beauty. The power of bonsai is in its ability to portray the utmost beauty of nature. This is the goal for all who grow bonsai. There are three important things to consider:. First, the roots. When looking at an old tree, the roots form the foundation and gives strength. This is impressive and inspiring. Strong roots of large tree protect other smaller trees in a flood or a storm. These firmly rooted trees give us a feeling of stability and security. In the case of a bonsai, this should also be true. Second, the trunk and the way it's formed. In the case of a solitary tree, its especially important as to how the trunk emerges from the roots and the rising taper that it develops. After many years the aged characteristics and bark appear and you can sense the added character and personality of each tree. Third, the branches. These face the sky and are balanced and must have sunlight to flourish. Because branches and leaves are growing strongly, beautiful flowers can bloom. Even though growing vigorously and flowers are blooming, you must not be complacent and must be very diligent in the care of your plants. This care is important. Everyone here has gathered together from distant places. In each of your countries you have mountains, rivers, woods and forests. These are beautiful scenes to inspire you. Choose the most beautiful examples for your bonsai. Do not just copy anything. Rather, make your bonsai like the best parts of nature. To raise bonsai it is very important to learn the strong and weak points of each plant. Raising bonsai is like raising children. Be a teacher and a guide but with patience and loving care. Treat your plants as you do your family. I'm sure that each of you will also be able to create and grow beautiful bonsai. Bonsai is a living thing in the roots and even in the leaves. Every day that you are attending your bonsai, although the plant cannot speak to you, you'll sense that the plant is trying to tell you something. You'll one day know a plant is asking for water or fertilizer. When you come to that stage, you'll have developed a close bond. Bonsai responds to your love and becomes like honest friends with no human falsehood or betrayals. Bonsai are loyal if you water and fertilize regularly with loving care. Life is more meaningful when we attend these little plants. We learn the essence and dignity of life! Even the life of a bonsai is older than us. So bonsai must be passed on to the next generation to preserve the life in the tray. This is important. Bonsai is a god-given gift to man. Some common favorites for growing bonsai trees include the juniper tree, which is a hardy evergreen that can survive in any northern climate and some even warmer regions as well. Spruces, cedars, and pines are also extremely popular choices as well, and we love using trees like Japanese maples , elms, and oaks too. As for tropical plants, jade and snowrose are great choices for indoor bonsai trees in temperate or cool climates. Indoor or Outdoor. While this may not seem like a huge decision, you should definitely know if you are planning on having an outdoor or indoor bonsai tree because their needs will change drastically. Indoor trees are typically going to receive less light and stay dryer, while outdoor areas receive lots of natural sun and rain. Common outdoor choices: maple, birch, beech, ginkgo, elm, larch, juniper, and cypress trees. Common indoor choices: gardenia, kingsville boxwood, ficus, serissa, and hawaiian umbrella trees. Bonsai trees come in a huge variety of sizes. You can have full grown trees that are as small as 6 inches, and anywhere up to 3 feet tall, it just depends on the species of the tree you go with. You also need to think about the space you available at your home, your desk, or outdoors, as well as the size of the container you have for it, and the amount of sunlight you will have available. If, however, you decide to grow it from a seed, know that you will have much more control over its growth in every single stage of its development. On the other end of this though, you will have to wait up to five years to grow from a seed to a full grown tree. You can also grow your bonsai tree from a cutting as well. Select the perfect pot for your bonsai tree. Bonsai trees are planted into pots that will restrict their growth. However, you will have to choose a pot that is large enough to hold enough soil to cover the roots of the plant. Having the perfect plant in mind first will make this process a lot easier. When you water the bonsai tree, it will absorb moisture from the soil through its roots. On top of the size, you will also want to make sure you make one or two drainage holes at the bottom of the pot as well. This will prevent root rot and keep your tree healthy. A lot of beginners choose to grow their bonsai trees in more plain, practical containers, then they transfer them to more aesthetically pleasing when the trees are fully grown. How to Pot Your Bonsai Tree. To plant your tree in the container you want it to grow in, you will first want to remove it from the container you bought it in and clean off its roots. Be very careful when you are removing the tree not to damage or break its main stem — consider using a potting shovel to pry the plant out without damaging it. Make sure that you brush away any dirt that has caked itself in and around the root system of your trees. You can use chopsticks, tweezers, and root rakes to make this process a little simpler for you. You will also want to prune the roots as well. If their growth is not controlled well, the bonsai tree may very well try to outgrow its container. Simply cut any extremely large, thick roots, as well as any that face upwards off of the root system. This will leave behind a network of long and skinny roots that will sit near the surface of the soil. Since water is absorbed through the tips of the roots, it is better in a small container to have many thin root strands instead of only a few thick ones. Next you will want to prepare the new pot that the bonsai tree is going into. Make sure that the tree has a base of new, fresh soil to be placed in that gives it the height you desire. At the bottom of the pot, add a layer of coarse-grain soil as its base, then add a much finer, looser medium soil above this. At the top of the pot, make sure to leave a small amount of space so you can cover the trees roots when it is placed in the container. When potting the tree, make sure that the tree is positioned just how you want it to look. After that you can cover the roots with the remaining, well-draining soil to hold it in place. If you are having difficulties keeping the tree standing upright, simply run a heavy gauge wire in from the bottom of the pot through its drainage holes, and tie the wire around the root system to hold it in place. You might also want to install mesh screens over the drainage holes on the pot to prevent any soil erosion from happening. This occurs when water carries soil out of the pot through the drainage holes. Pruning and Shaping. Your bonsai tree will need consistent and frequent pruning in order to look right. There are also several different types of pruning to consider for your plant to look and feel good. This means during the winter months of November to February typically. Make sure to cut back any large branches that protrude from the tree, as well as branches with unnatural twists or ones that are just ugly. To do this, cut each branch above a node in a place that keeps the tree looking balanced. Use branch cutters to keep it looking neat. If you want to have light able to filter through the canopy and reach the lower branches, trim back the twigs and branches on top of the tree. This also allows you to shape the canopy to the desired shape and size. Use your branch cutters to trim down any out of place branches so that the canopy is balanced and shaped nicely. If you come across any suckers, which are small offshoots that tend to grow on branches or the base of the trunk, pluck them off with your fingers to keep the tree looking neat and trimmed.