What Is Bonsai?   by Andrew Kozlowski

The word bonsai literally translates into “tree in a pot or tray.” The art of bonsai originated in China thousands of years ago, linked initially to Taoism and then to Buddhism. The Chinese containerized and dwarfed living trees within miniature landscapes and gardens. Bonsai art migrated to Japan via Korea with the Zen Buddhists and grew to be more and more popular, first among monks and aristocrats, and then on a broader scale. Now, bonsai trees are cultivated all over the world.

While bonsai artists favor certain tree species, more than 100 different trees, flowering plants, and shrubs can be trained into bonsai. Depending on the species, bonsai can be grown indoors or outdoors.

Some good Outdoor Bonsai species to start with include Japanese maple, elm, ginkgo, juniper, and boxwood.

Bonsai grown indoors require more attention and babying. Tropical and sub-tropical species such as Hawaiian umbrella tree, baby jade and brush cherry are good indoor trees to start with.

All bonsai trees need good morning light, a consistent level of humidity, and proper watering. Indoors trees often do well when placed near a sunny window, and a humidifier can help keep the air inside moist.

Overwatering is a common problem among beginning bonsai enthusiasts; whether indoors or outdoors, the soil in your bonsai’s pot should be moist, never completely dry to the touch nor soggy and wet. And like any other plant, a Bonsai Tree needs to be fed with the right fertilizer. Check with a bonsai nursery or garden store to learn which fertilizer is right for your tree.

When selecting your first bonsai, it’s best to go to a nursery that specializes in bonsai trees so that an expert can answer your questions. The plants at a nursery are usually better cared for and healthier than those found at a big box store’s garden center. To make sure you end up with a healthy tree, look for shiny, vibrant leaves or needles, as shriveled or yellowish foliage can be a sign of pests or disease. Make sure there are no brown spots on leaves or branches.

The right container for your bonsai tree is as important as the tree itself. Typically, evergreens such as cedars and pines are showcased in unglazed ceramic pots in neutral or earthy colors, while deciduous trees can be placed in glazed or unglazed pots. The color of the container should complement the colors of the bonsai’s leaves or flowers; for example, a deep blue pot would highlight a maple’s brilliant red and orange foliage. A flowering pink bonsai might look best in a yellow or green pot.

There are several traditional styles for bonsai trees; formal upright, informal upright, slanted, cascade, and broom are the most common styles. Each of these styles imitates what a tree might look like in a natural setting: blown by the wind, for example, or sweeping down the side of a mountain. Different species will work well with each different style.

In order to shape a bonsai, specific tools are required. Some of the most basic Bonsai Tools include a pair of long-handled shears, bud scissors, pliers, wire cutters, a root rake, and a concave cutter. To train a tree to grow into the desired shape, you will need to use copper wire to anchor the trunk to the roots or container, and then gently bend the branches by wrapping them with wire, encouraging them to slant or curve.

Bonsai trees need careful trimming and pruning, especially during times of new growth when shoots and buds must be trimmed back to maintain the tree’s shape. It is also important to re-pot a bonsai each year or so, depending on how fast the tree is growing. If you don’t re-pot, the roots may grow too long, and the bonsai can become “pot bound.” When re-potting, it’s important to trim the roots and re-pot the tree into properly prepared, damp soil in a container with good drainage.

While many first-time bonsai gardeners choose to purchase their trees from a nursery, many bonsai aficionados enjoy growing their bonsai from scratch. There are several ways to grow a bonsai, but all of them take a good deal of time and patience. You can buy a seedling from a nursery and let it develop to the point where you can begin training it into a bonsai, or you can buy seeds, let them germinate, and then cultivate your young tree until it’s ready to be shaped. Another means of propagation is to take a cutting from a “parent” tree, plant it, and nurture it along. Many enthusiasts like growing from cuttings as they can duplicate the parent tree’s genes and characteristics.
Other more complex means of growing a bonsai include grafting-adding a new branch or root to an existing tree-or layering, which involves injuring the bark of a parent tree and then helping the callus (injured part) to develop a new bud and roots of its own.

Growing and training a bonsai tree is truly an art, and it can result in a beautiful addition to your home or garden!

Want to learn more about bonsai care? Visit my website at http://www.bonsaitreeanswers.com to learn all about how to buy, grow, and care for beautiful, healthy bonsai trees.

About the Author

Andrew Kozlowski is a naturalist, amateur botanist, and author of articles and books on topics ranging from plant care and gardening to home downsizing. For more than 20 years Andrew has managed environmental programs in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America. He resides in San Francisco.

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Artificial Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree – Small $84.85 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Japanese Maple bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

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Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree (acer palmatum) $700 Palmate leaves with red spring color. A slow grower with small leaves and nice form. Deciduous. Keep outdoors.

Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree (acer palmatum) $295 Insignificant yellow-white flowers in May. Yellow and bronze autumn color. Deciduous. Keep outdoors. 29 years old. 14″ x 13″ x 31″. Potted in an 11″ hexagon unglazed container with etched designs, as shown.

Trident Maple Bonsai Tree (Acer Buergerianum) $49.95 Well known for the superb colors of its foliage in autumn (fall). The bark is a dappled pale brown and exfoliates with age revealing a grey orange and brown color. The small leaves (which resist scorching during drought) have 3 short lobes close together – hence the name Tri-dent. The spring flowers are inconspicuous and the new growth is often bronze to purple. Deciduous – Keep outdoors. Available 12 months a year. Will have no foliage during winter months.

Japanese Green Maple Bonsai Tree (acer palmatum) $350 Palmate leaves with red spring color. A slow grower with small leaves and nice form. Deciduous. Keep outdoors.

Japanese green Maple Bonsai Tree Seeds $3.95 Propagation instructions are included with each packet.

Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree – Small (acer palmatum ‘atropurpurea’) $39.95 Red leaves. This is the famous Japanese Maple which has finely dissected palmette shaped leaves (deeply cut like the palm of the hand). Beautiful tree that will lend a soft, delicate texture to a patio, deck, balcony or garden. Deciduous. Keep outdoors.

Japanese Green Maple Bonsai Tree – Small (acer palmatum) $39.95 Hardy and easy to grow, this delicate Maple will look great on a patio, deck or garden. Provide sun in order to show best colors both in early spring and late into the season. Deciduous. Keep outdoors.

Laceleaf Weeping White Birch Bonsai Tree (betula pendula ‘trosts dwarf’) $69.95 This dwarf only grows to 3-4 feet tall, and is highly sought after for bonsai. It has a fine textured thread-leafed light green foliage that looks like a weeping laceleaf maple. Has a peeling bark trunk with pendulous catkins. Distinctive white bark which is colored by a pigment called, appropriately enough, betulin. Much loved for bonsai because of their elegant beauty. Does not do well in shade. Decideous. Keep outdoors.

Trident Maple Bonsai Tree Seven Tree Forest Group (acer buergerianum) $295 Well known for the superb colors of its foliage in autumn. The bark is a dappled pale brown and exfoliates with age revealing a grey orange and brown color. The small leaves (which resist scorching during drought) have 3 short lobes close together – hence the name Tri-dent. The spring flowers are inconspicuous and the new growth is often bronze to purple. Deciduous. Keep outdoors.

Artificial Pyracantha Bonsai Tree $249.95 Artificial Pyracantha bonsai tree in leaf with fruit.

Artificial Japanese Cedar Bonsai Tree $39.95 Artificial Japanese Cedar bonsai tree.

Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree – Large $199 View our large selection of silk bonsai trees & lifelike artificial plants

Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree – Small $149 We make it easy for you to decorate your home with our realistic japanese maple silk bonsai trees, discount prices available at Silkflowers.com

Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree – Large (Acer Palmatum Atropurpurea) $69.95 Purplish-red becoming green in late summer, deeply lobed. Red fall color. Insignificant small reddish-purple flowers in May-June. Deciduous. Keep outdoors. Available 12 months a year. Will have no foliage during winter months.

Artificial Japanese Boxwood Bonsai Tree $19.95 Artificial Japanese Boxwood bonsai tree with 49 leaves

Artificial Japanese Pine Bonsai Tree $29.95 Artificial Japanese Pine Bonsai tree with 103 leaves

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Artificial Japanese Tea Leaf Bonsai Tree $39.95 Artificial Japanese Tea Leaf bonsai tree.

Artificial Cedar Bonsai Tree – Group Planting $249.95 Artificial Japanese Cedar bonsai tree. Three (3) tree group.

Juniper Bonsai Tree – 8 – Preserved Bonsai Tree $50 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Neither plastic nor silk, this is a real live bonsai tree that was carefully crafted and preserved to protect its natural fragrance, color and texture indefinitely. No watering, trimming or maintenance is required. With its timeless beauty evoking a feeling of nature, this accent piece accommodates any architectural setting. Our one-of-a-kind preserved bonsai is planted in a traditional glazed imported ceramic container. This is the ultimate in environmental control.

Artificial Boxwood Bonsai Tree – Handcrafted $139.95 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Boxwood bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Artificial Azalea Bonsai Tree – Large $249.95 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Handcrafted Azalea bonsai tree with artificial foliage and a preserved Grapewood trunk.

Artificial Pine Bonsai Tree $149.95 This stunning and wonderfully crafted Pine tree with realistic looking artificial foliage is perfect for bookcases, entertainment centers or anywhere it may be impossible to grow a live bonsai tree. No watering, trimming or maintenance is required. With its timeless beauty evoking a feeling of nature, this accent piece accomodates any architectural setting. This is the ultimate in environmental control.

Artificial Podocarpus Bonsai Tree – Large $149.95 Artificial Podocarpus Buddhist Pine bonsai tree with a traditional curved trunk and tiered layered branching. Has exposed roots which give the appearance of great age.

Man Sitting on a Rock with Bonsai Tree Miniature Ceramic Mud Figurine $8.95 Man sitting on a rock with a bonsai tree. Ceramic mud figurine with fine detail.

Man Trimming Bonsai Tree Ceramic Figurine – 1 1/2 $9.95 Ceramic Figurine. Man trimming bonsai tree – 1 1/2″

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree/Water Bonsai Pot Portulacaria Afra $49.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree/Water Bonsai Pot (arboricola schefflera) $59.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and it is a very beautiful trouble-free evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. On the other side of the planting is a well that holds water. We include a fisherman figurine along with a fishing pole and ceramic fish.

Ficus Retusa Bonsai Tree $195 Also known as Banyan Fig and Taiwan Ficus. The Retusa has small, dark green leaves which alternate up the stem and which are more oval than the Benjamina. Grey to reddish bark dotted with small, horizontal flecks, similar to tiger-like markings. Has a heavy curved shaped trunk, exposed roots and tiered branching which give the appearance of great age. The Retusa is among the most tolerant, versatile and trouble-free bonsai trees for indoor use.

Starter Kit Make Your Own Bonsai Tree $24.95 Make your own Bonsai Tree. Everything you need to create your own bonsai tree. Kit includes the following: Glazed ceramic imported container Juniper Procumbens Nana (3 years old) Annealed copper training wire Bonsai tree soil (conifer mix) Fiberglass drainage hole covers Multi-colored textured rock Separate typewritten instructions for potting, training and maintenance Ceramic miniature figurine humidity/drip tray Plastic plant marker

Ceramic Bonsai Pot Unglazed Round Cascade with Tree Stump Base $39.95 Ceramic bonsai pot. Unglazed, round, cascade.

Ficus Bonsai Tree – Variegated (ficus benjamina) $115.95 The Ficus Benjamina is an indoor tropical bonsai tree that is easy to care for. The Benjamina has large dark evergreen leaves with a pointed tip that can be reduced in size by trimming. Trimming will also keep the tree tight and compact as will direct sun.

Bonsai Tree Branch Bonder – Large Size $39.95 Tackle the training of any bonsai tree with this high quality branch bender. Using the push-pull effect will slowly bend and shape your bonsai tree branches. This tool is what you need when wire is not enough. Branch benders are able to exert powerful, yet gentle force on a branch so that the bonsai artist can bend it in the appropriate direction.

Podocarpus Bonsai Tree (podocarpus macrophyllus) $95 Aka Buddhist Pine or Chinese Yew. The Podocarpus is a dense evergreen with pointed, leathery, dark green leaves arranged on stiff, symmetrical branches. The tree which is unisexual, has male flowers in cones and female flowers composed of cylindrical thickened scales. The fruits are edible, pendiculate, fleshy and brightly colored. New floiage appears light green in color that turns darker with age. Our tree is trained in the traditional bonsai style. Grows very well albeit slowly indoors.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree-Medium (Arboricola Schefflera) $39.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and is a very beautiful “trouble-free” evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. This versatile tree is great for home, office, dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. Very popular and easy indoor care.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree – Small (arboricola schefflera) $24.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and is a very beautiful “trouble-free” evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. This versatile tree is great for home office dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. Very popular and easy indoor care.

Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree – Large (arboricola schefflera) $69.95 This is the tree that we recommend if you are inexperienced with bonsai or you do not have a green thumb. In our opinion it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for and is a very beautiful trouble-free evergreen. If you don’t know which tree to purchase as a gift for someone, this is the tree to select. This versatile tree is great for home, office, dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Our tree features tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. This impressive trouble-free evergreen is a very popular and easy to care for indoor bonsai.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree – Small Portulacaria Afra $24.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree (Portulacaria Afra) $195 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for indoors.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree (Portulacaria Afra) $195 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for indoors.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree – Medium Portulacaria Afra $59.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common Jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office.

Baby Jade Bonsai Tree Five Tree Forest Group (Portulacaria Afra) $99.95 This succulent bonsai, also known as the “Elephant Bush”, is native to South Africa and has pale green leaves that are almost round and about one-third the size of the common jade plant. The fleshy trunk, branches, and leaves are used to store water. An excellent bonsai tree for the home or office. Five tree forest group.

Preserved Juniper Bonsai Tree – Upright Style Potted in Chinese Bonsai Container $79.95 Neither plastic nor silk, this is a real live bonsai tree that was carefully crafted and preserved to protect its natural fragrance, color and texture indefinitely. No watering, trimming or maintenance is required. With its timeless beauty evoking a feeling of nature, this accent piece accommodates any architectural setting. Our one-of-a-kind preserved bonsai is planted in a traditional glazed imported ceramic container. This is the ultimate in environmental control.