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Bonsai

1. Concept

When plants are growing indoors, it is desirable to grow and develop at a much slower

rate. This concept is found in the Japanese art called bonsai. The word Bonsai is a

combination of two Japanese words 'bon' meaning tray and 'sai' meaning tree, so

bonsai meaning tray tree.

2. Definition of Bonsai

Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing, pruning and training of trees, shrubs, and vines to

be miniatures of their natural forms.

3. Classification of Bonsai

3.1. According to Size

i. Miniature bonsai : <15 cm

ii. Small bonsai : 15-<30 cm

iii. Medium bonsai : 30-<60 cm

iv. Large bonsai : 60-100 cm

3.2. According to Shape

3.2.1. Chokkan (Formal Upright)

Trees are characterized by a straight, upright and tapering trunk. Branches progress

regularly from the thickest and broadest at the bottom to the finest and shortest at the top.

3.2.1. Moyogi (Informal Upright)

Trees incorporate visible curves in trunk and branches.

3.2.2. Shakan (Slanting Trunk)

Trunk emerges from the soil at an angle and the apex will be located to the left or right of

the root base.

3.2.3. Han kengai (Semi Cascade)

The apex of bonsai extends just at or beneath the edge of the bonsai pot.

3.2.4. Kengai (Cascade)

The apex falls below the base of a container.

3.2.5. Sokan (Twin Trunk)

Two trunks rise from a single set of roots. The base of the trunk generally touches and

may be joined to a short distance above the soil. One trunk is taller and thicker than the

other.

Compiled by: Md. Dulal Sarkar

Lecturer, Department of Horticulture

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

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3.2.6. Sankan (Triple Trunk)

Three trunks rise from a single set of roots. Trunk sizes are varied, with one trunk being

the thickest and generally the tallest.

3.2.7. Ikadabuki (Multiple Trunk)

All the trunks growing out of one spot with one root system, and is actually a single tree.

3.2.8. Yose ue (Group or Forest Planting)

It comprises planting of several trees of one species, typically an odd number, in a bonsai

pot.

4. Principles for Making a Bonsai

Four general principles- plant selection, design, pruning and training, and management

should be considered during making a bonsai.

4.1. Plant Selection

Slow growing, hardy plants with little leaf are most suitable. Three groups of plants are

used in creating bonsai-

4.1.1. Conifers

Conifers are hardy evergreen plants, tolerate pruning and other manipulations.

4.1.2. Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the winter season and the tree offers a good

opportunity for pruning and reshaping. Vigorous growth resumes in summer and require

regular pruning to keep their leaves small.

4.1.3. Ornamental Shrubs

Ornamental shrubs make good bonsai and their magnificent display of flowers and fruits

also are a sight to view.

4.2. Design

Designs are meant to produce plants that appear old, rough, and weathered.

4.3. Pruning and Training

Pruning is done to control the rate and development of plant. Roots and shoots are

judiciously pruned to obtain the planned shape and size. Wires are used during the

training process to force the plant to assume a desired shape.

4.4 Management

After establishment, pruning is periodically required to maintain the shape of bonsai. The

plant needs to be watered, fertilized, and placed under appropriate environmental

conditions.

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5. Tools

A pair of pinchers is used for cutting the taproot, and pliers are used for stripping away

the bark of branches. The clippers are used for shaping the top of the tree. Apart from

copper wires are used in creating bonsai plants.

6. Containers

The selected plant should keep in its original container for the initial stages of training

and pruning. After the topwork is completed, it should be transplanted to a shallow

container. The bonsai container is usually round but may also be oblong or rectangular in

shape. The color of the container should not be bright and, browns and greens are

preferred. Drainage holes should be provided in the bottom of the container.

7. Procedure for Making a Bonsai

7.1. Collecting Bonsai Plants from Nature

The Japanese name for collecting readymade bonsai from natural surroundings is called

Yamadori. The natural bonsai is called Yamadori shitate, have the advantage of twisted

branches, stunting, and aging. The best environment for collecting bonsai material is

poor nutrition, shallow soil, unseasonable temperature and windy conditions.

7.2. Growing Plants

A plant for bonsai may be raised by seed, seedling cutting, layering or plant collected

from the wild for about 2-3 years old.

7.3. Plant Shape

The plant should be selected with desirable natural features such as natural curvature and

twists in the stem. The plant height also should be counted.

7.4. Primary Pruning

The primary branches, starting with the lowest ones should be removed. Sometimes dead

branches below the selected lowest one may be retained and incorporated into the overall

design. During the initial pruning stage, one or two of the lowest branches may be cut

back to leave 2 to 4 inches of branch that is stripped of its bark for aging. The taproot

should be removed to encourage the growth of lateral roots.

7.5. Secondary Pruning

It is done very frequently to maintain the plant size and shape. Leaves and buds are also

removed.

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7.6. Wiring

It is a primary activity in creating bonsai. The branches may be forced by twisting a

copper wire around a branch and bending it into a new shape. Wiring starts from the

lower part of the branch and progresses to the tips. Wires should be removed after about

6 to 12 months when the shape is set.

7.7. Aging

The technique of aging is called jin. After stripping off the bark, the bare surface should

be polished with fine grade sand paper and dilute citric acid may be rubbed on the bare

surface to bleach the area. The result gives the appearance of aged plants.

8. General Care of Bonsai

8.1. Watering

Watering should be done once a week during the winter season.

8.2. Manuring

Bonsai plants are fertilized with slow acting fertilizers during the active growing period.

Fertilizing of flowering and fruiting bonsai plants should be delayed until after

flowering.

8.3. Defoliation

All leaves are removed from the tree to force a new batch of leaves. It encourages new

leaves of smaller size and gives a new look to the plant.

8.4. Pruning

A bonsai plant needs periodic pruning to maintain its shape and control growth.

Depending on the species, roots require pruning every three to five years.

8.5 Sanitation

Routine cleaning includes scraping and brushing that stop the moss growth on the trunk

and removing weeds from the soil.

8.6. Plant Protection

General plant protection measures should be taken properly.

9. Criteria for Selecting Bonsai Plants

1. Slow growing and hardy plants with small leaves

2. Should have a trunk which looks natural

3. The growth should be in harmony where it stands

4. The branches should reflect a rhythm consistent with the artistic value

5. The plants which show seasonal variations in growth and flowering pattern

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10. Plants used for Bonsai

Conifers Shrubs Deciduas Evergreen

Silver fir Azalea Trident maple Ficus

Japanese cedar Rhododendron Japanese maple Bottle Brush

Chinese juniper Rock cotoneaster Chinese elm Mango

Japanese white pine Japanese apricot Hornbeam Neem

Japanese black pine Almond Crab apple Sapota

Spruce Japanese cherry Black birch

Yew Wisteria Beech

Larch Winter jasmine Gray-bark elm

False cypress Japanese camellia

Figure: Tools for creating a bonsai. Cutting

implements (a, b, e), a pair of forceps (c), a pair of

pliers (d), a brush (f), a hand trowel (g), a scalpel

(h), and a wire (i).

Figure: Typical bonsai containers have an oriental

design. They are usually shallow

Figure: Root pruning Figure: Shoot pruning

Figure: Wiring activity in creating bonsai Figure: A technique of creating a bulging stem base

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Figure: Tree with overhang aged branch stumps

Formal upright Informal upright Informal upright Slanting trunk

Semi cascade Semi cascade Cascade Forest style

Twin trunk Triple trunk Multiple trunk