Bonsai art: styles, types, forms, photos, videos, plants for bonsai. Penjing and Bonsai: The Art of Growing Miniature Trees
Bonsai- This is the ancient Japanese art of growing miniature trees, the first mention of which dates back to 231 BC. According to legend, the art of bonsai is rooted in the traditions of Buddhist monks who sought unity with nature and tried to show its perfection.
Then bonsai began to become more and more popular: new types of small trees appeared (the first were rhododendrons and maples), the culture went beyond monasteries and became one of the favorite pastimes of the Japanese nobility, and later of all walks of life.
Now meet these cute dwarf trees possible anywhere in the world. Buying them is very easy, but in order for the plants to take root in your apartment, you need to make a lot of effort.
Bonsai Tree Care Secrets
To comprehend the culture of bonsai takes a lot of time and even more patience. This real art- grow each branch of exactly the shape that is needed.
To make it work miniature bonsai tree- a copy of an adult specimen, you really need to love every plant, cherish it, take care of it like a child.
Conifers have great potential in the formation of bonsai plants: dwarf and Siberian pine, Cossack, red junipers; as well as larch - Siberian and European, oak, aspen, hornbeam, etc.
Once having created the appearance of a tree, having formed it, one should not think that it will remain so forever.
Like all living things, bonsai trees grow, develop, demanding constant adjustment their appearance - regular haircuts and transplants. Professional bonsaiists with extensive experience and knowledge are able to create real masterpieces from ordinary plants.
Bonsai culture includes two immutable rules:
- timely pruning of the crown;
- compliance with strict requirements for soil quality during planting and transplanting (lightness, porosity; sand, peat, loam in a ratio of 2:4:4).
crown formation
Exists many styles of bonsai, and all of them are presented with General requirements regarding tree crowns:
- the crown should be conical or divided into horizontal compact tiers;
- needles (or foliage) in each of the tiers should be thick (as far as possible).
These rules are subject to the laws biological growth trees. If they are observed, the crown of plants is ventilated, each branch receives enough light, in each tier a beneficial microclimate.
Crown bonsai form in several stages. Immediately after planting the trees in the container, they are trimmed, cutting off the excess and leaving branches that are suitable in texture. At the same time, the bonsaiist already imagines what his tree will be like.
After some time again cut off the excess and they use other methods: fasten branches with wire, tie loads to them, attach branches to roots, etc. All this is done to make the branches grow in the right direction.
With a haircut distribute energy between strong (upper outer) and weak (lower inner) branches.
The technology and frequency of haircuts depends on the type of tree and on the bonsai style.
Tui bonsai master class from the very beginning - look at the video:
Root care
Bonsai tree needed repot regularly. This is done at the very beginning of spring, before the start of intensive growth. For this you need:
- change capacity- take a ceramic container with drainage holes 2 cm larger, pour clay on the bottom (for 25% of the total volume), then - the main substrate;
- trim old, damaged and too overgrown roots;
- remove old substrate along the edge of the earthy coma and add new land. (in young trees, up to 80% of the earthy coma is removed, in old trees - up to 40%). If the bonsai is weak or sick, shaking the coma is best done in 2 stages, for two transplants. Shake the substrate with metal hooks or wooden sticks;
- before transplant you need to let the earth dry so that the roots are not damaged, and then water abundantly.
Not yet formed hardwood bonsai are transplanted every 2 years, conifers - once every 3 years. already formed needs a transplant once every 3-5 years.
Lighting and watering
Most of the plants cultivated in the art of bonsai grow under open sky, therefore, the trees themselves must be kept in well lit places shading only from direct sunlight.
In winter, when the sun is not so active, use lamps daylight. With a lack of lighting, the tree stretches up (and this is not necessary for bonsai at all), the leaves grow larger, the branches stop growing. Light is especially important for fruit-bearing trees.
root system bonsai needs intensive and competent watering, without drying out the earthen coma. In summer, plants need constant moisture, especially deciduous, to a lesser extent - evergreen and coniferous. In winter - the opposite is true - an increased need for moisture appears in conifers.
Watering is carried out with a container of water. Bonsai are briefly immersed in a container so that the water covers the ground, and the soil ball is saturated with water. Spraying is also done regularly, especially for deciduous.
Nutrition and healthy sleep
Many plants slow down their growth in winter, and each of them has a different duration and intensity of this period.
For example, if a pine winters in vivo at sub-zero temperatures, then her dormant period lasts 5 months, and in the conditions of an apartment - much less (depending on how long the plant will be in a cool room “for wintering”).
Like any plant, bonsai trees top dressing is necessary(organic and chemistry). The quantity and quality of fertilizers depends on the age of the plant and its condition.
As for and, then bonsai-style trees are exposed to them exactly to the same extent as those grown in the classical way.
It is said that one who once becomes fascinated with this thousand-year-old art will forever become a devoted fan of bonsai. Not just grow a plant, but create it, create it with your own hands - what could be more exciting?
Steps for caring for bonsai at home, see the video below:
Advice for beginner bonsaiists: for a sample, take some not too whimsical conifer - for example, Cossack juniper. Good luck!
Among the lovers of vegetation there are real fanatics who strive to turn their home into a real forest. For such craftsmen, even the limited space of the house does not matter, because bonsai helps to realize their dream.
What is a bonsai?
Interesting and fascinating art came to us from China and Japan. It was there that almost two thousand years ago, gardeners began to grow dwarf trees. This technique allows you to start a real (albeit in a reduced copy) garden in a small space.
IN Japanese the word "bonsai" means not just a bonsai tree, but the culture of growing it - in a small pot, on a tray or on a piece of rock.
To create a classic bonsai, other long-lived types of hardwoods are most often used. The seedling grows until a good branched crown and a thick trunk form on it. Of course, this does not happen in one or two years. And all this time, the master must be intensively engaged in the formation of bonsai in order to get a real work of art - a miniature copy of the tree.
Where does bonsai start?
Before you start growing bonsai, you need to make an image and draw a sketch of the future tree. It is advisable to immediately think about what shape it will be, in order to then form a crown according to the plan.
The next steps are as follows:
- Pick up in nature the necessary sprout for the future tree.
- cut him off root system.
- Plant in a flat bowl.
For bonsai, it is necessary to select only the strongest and absolutely healthy sprouts, since not everyone will take root at home.
What to do with the sprout after engraftment?
When the young sprout takes root and continues to grow, the tops of the branches and leaves should be removed from it. This must be done until he comes to terms with his fate and begins to produce small leaves (or needles), more suitable in size for dwarf trees.
At the same time, the young stem must be wrapped with a thin wire so that it does not even think to reach up. The branches are also cut and, using the same wire, are directed down or parallel to the soil. Thus, the future of bonsai is given shape. Every year, the work on the formation is continued in the same spirit, and over time, a real, but small tree is obtained.
The art of creating exquisite and graceful live plant miniatures is popular in many countries. It is known to the general public as bonsai and is considered native to Japan. At the same time, representatives of Western culture are attracted by the exotic appearance and are not interested in the spiritual component implicit for the uninitiated.
Using the refined techniques of Eastern masters, Western man strives to achieve an external effect. And only a small part of those keen on the formation of dwarf trees knows the true essence of this art hidden behind miniature leaves.
BRIEF HISTORICAL OUTLINE
The true events that led to the birth of the tradition of growing living miniatures in various containers are lost in the depths of millennia. in the tombs ancient egypt there are images where similar plants are located near the temples. It is believed that in the life of the Egyptians of the time of the pharaohs, they could play a certain role in religious rites or healing methods.
Most likely, plants carried in special containers appeared there along with them. To facilitate transportation, their compactness was increased by regular shearing and pruning. As a result, the leaves became smaller, the branches grew thicker and the plant itself harmoniously decreased. Over time, such manipulations became a technique for creating decorative miniatures.
Be that as it may, but it is China that is considered the place where in the 4th-2nd centuries BC. the original art of creating miniature landscapes was born - penjing (盆景) or penjing (pen jing), where “pen” is a bowl, a pot and “jing” is a landscape. Over the centuries, it has developed, forming new styles and trends, as well as penetrating into the territory of neighboring countries: Korea, Vietnam, Japan.
So, unlike China, in Japan, the landscapes are not so diverse, so the formation of individual dwarf trees - pentsai (penzai or 盆栽), which translates as "a plant in a bowl" and in Japanese sounds like a bonsai, has gained particular popularity.
The exact time when exactly in Japan they began to master the ability to create plant miniatures is unknown. According to some sources, this happened even before the 800s, according to others - in the 13th century.
Known for their exquisite aesthetics and penchant for symbolism, the Japanese have perfected the art of growing bonsai trees. At the same time, they impose very strict requirements on the formation of bonsai and the selection of a container, which have become almost inviolable canons.
It was the most canonized bonsai of the Land of the Rising Sun in the first half of the 20th century that began the successful “conquest” of Europe and America. Today, this traditionally Japanese art has a huge number of admirers in different countries. And among the millions of miniatures formed, the vast majority are .
THE MYSTERY OF BONSAI
Like the vast majority of aspects of Eastern culture and philosophy, bonsai seems accessible and obvious to every observer. But at the same time, behind its simplicity lies a hidden meaning that is understandable only to the initiated.
Plant miniatures are created from normal trees and shrubs, which in a favorable environment would not reach dwarf sizes.
However, once in the hands of a bonsaist, they are constantly exposed to factors that inhibit their development. But one negative influence the result will not be achieved - a permanent stay in extreme conditions will lead to the death of the plant.
In fact, the ability to form bonsai is a balance between diametrically opposite influences, when the limitations leading to death are compensated by the support of vital forces. That is, by trimming the crown and root system and placing the plant in a root-restricting container with a depleted substrate, it is necessary to ensure that all necessary nutrients through feeding.
The places where the branches are cut and the bark is removed must be treated with an antiseptic. Placement under the bright sunlight to reduce the size and increase the density of the leaves requires regular moisturizing by regular watering and plentiful spraying. The more precisely the balance is maintained, the more elegant the bonsai.
Like other art forms, the creation of plant miniatures requires mastering certain skills. The study of theory and workshops allow you to become a real professional. At the same time, as in any business, masterpieces are created by masters with genuine talent.
Laconism, naturalness and rigor are inherent in Japanese bonsai. As a sculptor cuts off everything superfluous from a block of marble, so a bonsaist forms a living dwarf "sculpture" while maintaining a minimum to achieve natural perfection.
In the XII century, such an original trend of Buddhism as Zen penetrated into Japan. According to his postulates, in order to comprehend the original essence of things, the elimination of everything superfluous is required. Every moment of being is valuable in itself. Such a desire for minimalism, special methods of training the mind and comprehending the truth have found fertile ground in Japanese society.
Bonsai in this case is an amalgamation of Zen Buddhism's affirmations of beauty even in the smallest and love of nature. The formation of a plant miniature requires patience and does not accept fuss. Caring for a dwarf tree turns into a kind of ritual that evokes a feeling of calm and inspiration akin to meditation.
Periodic concentration in the process of working with a plant causes not only inspiration that helps to form a perfect composition, but also allows you to intuitively know the spiritual essence of things.
For the same purpose, a plant miniature is used as an object of concentration during meditation and an object for reflection. That is, the bonsai is an element of the practice of Zen Buddhism.
At the same time, this is by no means any plant deformed in a bizarre way by human hands. In Zen, everything that exists has a divine unity, therefore, for inner development, it is important to merge with surrounding nature. No matter how small a particle of nature, it has great importance because it contains a secret.
Bonsai personifies the impact of the forces of nature: the scorching sun, showers and snowfalls, depleted soil, strong winds, lightning strikes, etc. IN Japanese gardens also grow - trees formed according to similar canons, but retaining their natural dimensions. For the masters of the country of the Rising Sun, both options are a way of self-expression on the path of spiritual comprehension of the world.
Representatives of Western culture are mainly attracted by the exquisite exotic appearance of plants. Without particularly delving into the subtleties, they even called nivaks for their outward resemblance.
Forming a plant in a certain style, Western masters perceive it as an option. That is, they express the main thesis of their civilization - the embodiment of domination over human nature.
In this case, growing plant miniatures is just a hobby. In addition, in megacities, this allows residents to directly come into contact with a piece of wildlife. The popularity of bonsai has led to the development of accelerated methods for the mass production of bonsai in nurseries.
Such commercialization led to the appearance of a huge number of stamped samples, which, by analogy with the so-called "Dutch", are called "Dutch stumps".
Bosai like self-sufficient art doneJapanese. It was they who ceased to consider him only as one of the constituent components Chinese penjin. Moreover, in Japan, this art, having stepped over the fences of the imperial villas, has become truly popular.
The art of Bonsai reached its greatest popularity in the 18th - XIX centuries. Then there was another surge between 1926 and 1940. And now a lot of people are trying to uncover the secrets of bonsai, and not only in Japan, but it's more of a hobby, a pastime, rather than a disinterested tribute to art. In Japan, the first public demonstration of mini-trees was held in October 1927 in the capital's Hibiya Park. Similar vernissages continued annually until 1933, after which the exhibition area was moved to the halls of the Ueno Art Museum. And the Western world got acquainted with bonsai much earlier - in late XIX century. Several examples of dwarf plants were exhibited in the Japanese pavilion at the World Exhibition in Paris (1889). But the exposition of 1909 in London was met with protests. The British criticized the Japanese masters for the "inhuman torture" of trees.
The art of bonsai is based on the technique of artificially reducing the size of living plants. To do this, they are planted in pots or containers no more than 30 cm in diameter. Careful dosage of top dressing, watering, lighting allows you to achieve amazing results. For several decades, the plant, retaining its species characteristics, grows only half a meter in height. Of course, this can not be achieved with all types of plants.
For bonsai, conifers such as pine, cypress, cedar are best suited, and from hardwoods - cherry, maple, zelkova, beech. The best specimens of miniaturized pine do not exceed 65 cm, zelkova - 50 cm, beech - 37 cm, maple - 17 cm. That is, a decrease in comparison with normal sizes occurs by 60-80 times. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that for cultivation they take a seed or a cutting of a conventional, and not a hybrid, plant with genetically predetermined proportions.
Bonsai requires a lot of patience. To master the basic principles of growing miniature trees, you need to spend 5-10 years. It is said that it takes at least three years to learn how to properly water a bonsai. It is easy to understand that this art is more attractive to older people. It's not just the availability of free time and the ability to approach any work without fuss, which is given only by life experience.
There is a certain symbolic connection between bonsai and immortality, because often a tree is passed down in the family from generation to generation, along with the memory of those who planted and grew it. With good care, bonsai can live for hundreds of years. So, the most famous of the specimens that have survived to this day is the pine, the first owner of which was the shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa (1604-1651). No wonder the pine tree is considered by the Japanese as a symbol of eternity.
Older bonsai specimens are valued more than younger ones. But age is not the only criterion here. The main thing is that the plant produces the intended artistic impression, matches the size of its container and is healthy. In the classification of bonsai, two main directions are accepted - koten (classical) and bunjin (informal).
The classic suggests that the trunk of a tree should be thicker at the base and thinner at the top. Bundzin proceeds from the opposite criterion, which, it should be noted, can be very difficult to achieve. A real artist, and this is exactly how the masters of this art should be treated, never seeks to duplicate to the smallest detail what he saw in nature. Working with a plant, he tries to express his own sense of the aesthetics of the living. The prototype can be, say, the scenery of a Kabuki theater performance, a grotesque illustration for ancient poems, your own idea of \u200b\u200btrees bending under a hurricane wind. But in any case, the bonsai should look natural, as if it had never been touched by human hands.
A few words about the styles characteristic of this art: vertical, inclined, cascading(when the tree leans over the edge of the container and the trunk goes down), twisted stem, with double barrel(when a single trunk bifurcates at the base), group(when side shoots under the influence of the master, they are formed in such a way that they resemble a group of trees growing nearby), with rock foundation(when the roots appear especially beautifully on the stone). There are 34 styles in total.
Bonsai with a rocky base in its aesthetics is closely adjacent to art suiseki. At the same time, the skillful use of the advantages of each direction helps to brighten up possible weaknesses, existing both in living and dead components of the composition. For example, lethargy, inexpressiveness of some facet of a stone can be covered with moss or plant roots, and not quite a classic bend of a tree can be masked with a miniature rock.
Bonsai are grown not in home greenhouses, but on outdoors- on tables set in the yard or on the balcony. For a fairly short time, bonsai can be brought into the house, for example, decorating a room on the occasion of some holiday or solemn event. Here it is necessary to constantly monitor the light and water balance, because any deviation from the usual regime can be fatal.
It is very important to choose the right container for the grown plant. It should focus attention on the plant in the same way that the frame not only limits the size of the canvas, but also emphasizes the content of the picture. Others prefer Japanese containers - simple, solid, discreet or neutral colors that do not distract attention from the tree itself. Others opt for Chinese containers that are richly decorated to add extra shine. humble plant. Preferably small containers, no more than 5 cm deep, oval, rectangular, multifaceted, depending on the appearance of the plant.
When planting, it is very important to observe the aesthetic principles developed over the centuries. The bonsai tree should be planted in such a way as to avoid any trace of symmetry in the future. Acceptable and even preferred for European culture symmetry is a taboo for the Japanese. Therefore, the seedling in the container should be placed somewhat away from the center. It's not only about the aesthetics of appearance, but also about the belief that the Earth and Sky converge precisely at the central point of the container. This place is not recommended.
There is one of the varieties of bonsai, which gradually buds off the main direction, gaining independence. This saikei. It differs from bonsai in that the composition of a miniature landscape on a tray is built not from one plant, but from several, and often related to different breeds. Saikei fans love to include herbs, including flowering ones, in the composition. It is permissible to place small figures on a saikei tray - people, animals, houses, bridges. White sand symbolizes the water flow at the foot of the trees. The dimensions of such compositions require larger trays, but they are smaller than bonsai containers. I.e we are talking about a phenomenon that occupies an intermediate position between bonkei and bonsai. This is reflected in the name of the art, which consists of two hieroglyphs for "plant" and "species".
Ancient Buddhists believed that the soul after death experiences a rebirth, and there is no worse fate for a person than to be reborn into a bonsai tree. Indeed, in the process of its growth, the branches of the tree are twisted, and the roots are cut to achieve the ideal shape of the plant. However, it was the followers of Buddhism who had a hand in the mass dissemination of the art of miniature trees.
Growing bonsai, according to Buddhist monks, equated man with God, since the earthly world is the garden of the Buddha, and he is a great gardener in it.
Excursion into history
The first bonsai appeared in ancient China back in the 8th century. There is a legend according to which one of the emperors of the ancient Han dynasty decided to see his empire in miniature and ordered to create an exact copy of all its corners, and this is how the first dwarf trees appeared.
But miniature copies of trees are more associated with Japanese culture, for which they have become an integral part. The art of Bonsai, brought to the Land of the Rising Sun by Buddhist monks, organically blended into Japanese traditions, since the original beliefs of the Japanese were based on worship. natural objects- plants, stones, water. Nature, according to the Japanese, personified the divine essence. Having adopted Buddhism as the official religion, the Japanese people also adopted the idea of the sacredness of the Bodhi tree, under whose branches the Buddha achieved enlightenment and which, in a sense, is the prototype of bonsai.
In Japan, the art of bonsai has survived the period of its formation, the trees have become objects of cultural value and collectibles, because, despite small size, they can be several centuries old. Japanese masters emphasize the spiritual value of bonsai, as the personification of the beauty of nature, the ability to find a source of inspiration in the surrounding world.
Plant selection for bonsai
Almost all trees are suitable for growing a miniature tree, but for beginners it is better to choose unpretentious and fast-growing species. The hardest thing to grow is coniferous trees - in Japan, the creators of bonsai from spruce or pine are considered real masters.
If you want to grow a bonsai from the very beginning from a small seedling, it is better to choose a plant adapted to the local climate, so there is a better chance that it will take root. It is necessary to plant young trees, at the age of no more than three years. For starters, or will do.
Plants selected from natural environment(yamadori), need to imitate the change of seasons - they need to arrange wintering in a room with a temperature of up to -5˚C. It is impossible to keep trees at a lower temperature, the root system will freeze. It is not recommended for beginners to take plants from nature, they are difficult to form and care for, for the first experience it is better to choose a houseplant that does not need wintering.
The best option for home bonsai are ficuses. They are unpretentious, do not need wintering and are easy to form beautiful plant in almost every style. Use better varieties plants with small leaves, but also fits. It grows very fast, its trunk and branches bend well. In addition to ficus, you can choose,. ON THE PICTURE: Ficus Benjamin Bonsai
If you want to grow a tree from a seed, a shrubby succulent is a good fit, a compact plant with a very beautiful flowers. Adenium seeds have a high percentage of germination, the plant grows quickly and is unpretentious in care. The trunk of this plant has a characteristic thickening (caudex), which will make the finished bonsai even more unusual. 
ON THE PICTURE: Adenium bonsai
When choosing a bonsai, you should pay attention to appearance plants, its condition, compliance with the declared style, similarity to a real miniature plant. The tree should look healthy and strong. If selected deciduous plant, it is better to buy it during the period when the tree hibernates, that is, it does not have leaves, so you can inspect all the shoots. Coniferous trees should have shiny needles.
Growing bonsai is a laborious process and requires a lot of time to form, at least 4-5 years. Therefore, you can purchase a ready-made adult tree.
There should be no marks on the bark of the tree from the wire with which the bends of the trunk were formed. To choose better tree up to 30 cm in height, with evenly distributed branches and a well-developed root system.
It is recommended to buy a tree in specialized stores or nurseries, this guarantees that the plant is grown with proper care and under the right conditions. In addition, you can get all the necessary information about a particular instance from specialists, which will help organize further care and the formation of bonsai. You should not buy plants in ordinary stores for the home with flower department- they sell only ordinary dwarf trees or bonsai styles.
bonsai care
Bonsai are very whimsical, so that the tree does not die and does not turn into an ordinary specimen of a houseplant, it is necessary to maintain environmental conditions that are comfortable for it. First of all it is:
illumination
Indoor bonsai are plants that often grow in tropical or subtropical climates, so they need in large numbers Sveta. Under climate conditions middle lane In Russia, they, especially in winter, need additional lighting, for which it is better to use fluorescent lamps. Deciduous plants during the wintering period after the leaves fall do not need light, they can be moved to a cool shaded place. Conifers and evergreens need lighting all year round.
How much light a particular plant needs depends on its species. When choosing the location of the bonsai, it is necessary to take into account all the factors that affect the illumination: the direction of the world, the distance from the window opening, the angle of incidence of the sun's rays.
The light is still important factor the formation of a plant, with a lack of lighting, it changes shape - the branches stretch towards the light source, the lower, shaded, branches atrophy. Bonsai must be rotated relative to the light source so that the tree develops evenly. However, you should not place the plant in the sun, especially at noon - this can adversely affect it. Almost all types of representatives of the flora do not tolerate direct sunlight. 
ON THE PICTURE: Placing the bonsai away from a window will protect the tree from exposure to direct sunlight.
Temperature
Choice temperature regime depends on the type of tree. Some plants need cool wintering, some all year round can be kept without changing the temperature environment. Subtropical species in winter should be kept at a temperature of no more than + 15˚C, and in summer they will be better outdoors. Tropical - year-round contain at a temperature of + 18–25˚C.
Classic tree bonsai in Japan are always outdoors, in our climate this is impossible, as the plants do not tolerate temperatures below 0˚C.
Humidity
Bonsai need moist air, so the best way out is to purchase a special humidifier. If this is not possible, then a container with a tree can be placed on a gravel tray, which must be constantly moistened. You can put water containers on working radiators, this will also make the air in the room more humid. Spraying gives a good effect, they must be carried out daily, preferably in the morning. 
ON THE PICTURE: Spraying Carmona (Eretia) should be carried out year-round (source - http://www.bonsaiforum.ru)
Watering
Most miniature trees require frequent watering. The most important thing in watering bonsai is to maintain optimal soil moisture so that it does not dry out, but is not flooded with water for a long time. Water the bonsai through a watering can with small holes or half lowering the pot for a while in a container of water. All the earth in the container should be moistened. Most plants do not tolerate "hard" water with a high salt content, rain or melt water is better for them. tap water before watering, it is necessary to defend - impurities will settle and the water will heat up to air temperature. Bonsai can not be watered cold water, why - you can find out from the article. The plant pot must have large drainage holes to avoid stagnant water.
top dressing
Bonsai is demanding on top dressing due to the small amount of substrate in the bowl in which it is grown. It is necessary to carefully follow the fertilizer recommendations indicated on the packaging (for coniferous plants it is better to divide the dose by two). Fertilizers themselves should be extremely High Quality, preferably liquid and separate (separately phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen). Excessive feeding is also harmful - you can damage the root system of the plant and spoil the soil. In the process of plant formation, when it grows intensively, it is necessary to use complex fertilizers. Later, low nitrogen fertilizers are usually used so as not to increase the growth of the plant. It is impossible to feed plants after transplantation and pruning, during the period of illness or wintering.
Disease and pest control
Bonsai, like all plants, can suffer from certain diseases and be affected by pests. Usually this is due to errors in the conditions of detention. To avoid this, you should follow the basic rules for growing:
- It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the inventory that is used to care for the plant. All tools should be washed with soapy water after use. Blades of tools for pruning plants are disinfected with alcohol before being stored.
- Cutting areas need to be processed garden pitch thus preventing infection.
- Weak, diseased, or damaged plants should not be pruned until they have recovered.
- Bonsai must be in sunny place. Fungi that most commonly cause disease in miniature plants, like damp and darkened rooms, where they breed well. If a fungal infection is detected, the tree must be sprayed with fungicidal agents, the affected leaves removed, it is better to stop watering and spraying the plant for a while.
- It is necessary to regularly inspect the leaves and branches of the plant, collect and destroy the detected insects. Appropriate insecticides should be used if necessary.
Subject to the rules of care and maintenance of home bonsai long years will rejoice in its beauty. The formation of a plant in a certain way is not just entertainment, but a real art, a kind of way of knowing and changing being, which you can join through a miniature tree.
- If you want to form a particular style of bonsai, choose carefully suitable plant. Not all types can be brought to the desired shape.
- For newbies the best option will be unpretentious houseplants who do not need the change of seasons.
- For the first attempt, do not take a plant from its natural environment - in order for it to take on its intended appearance, it will take a lot of effort, some experience and endurance.
- When buying a ready-made bonsai, remember that you will have to continue the formation of the tree yourself, otherwise it will lose its decorative appearance.
- When caring for a bonsai, the main thing is to provide him with the necessary conditions maintenance, timely pruning and top dressing.
- Before planting or buying a bonsai, consider whether you have enough time to take care of the tree for as long as it needs.
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