Bonsai

Bonsai

Bonsai (盆栽), which literally means “planted in a flat pot”, are miniature trees or shrubs which, through particular techniques, are kept very small in size, even for many years.
The art of bonsai is of Japanese origin and originated from the Chinese art of penzai (or penjing). In the 6th century, the Japanese embassy staff together with Buddhist students returned from China with some vases.
The bonsai technique was therefore born in China and was modified in Japan by applying its own aesthetic canons influenced by Zen philosophy to the cultivated plants. It is linked to what the Orientals call seishi: the art of giving a shape, of cultivating, of practicing the most varied techniques but always respecting the plant.
Bonsai therefore represent a living nature which, through the size of small trees, still express all the energy that is contained in a large plant.

History –
The history of bonsai is ancient.
Already around the 6th century AD: the first finds tell us that these were already made by the nomadic peoples of Mongolian origin who dominated China: they grew medicinal plants in pots to be able to transport them during migrations.
However, the practice of miniaturizing trees is probably older and dates back to a practice over 2,000 years ago, called Penjing, which consisted of composing landscapes with miniature mountains, rivers and trees. The oldest bonsai ever found, in fact, was found in a tomb dating back three thousand years.
This cultivation, which soon transformed into art, was developed around 700 by Chinese Buddhist monks, who applied the principles of their philosophy to mini-trees: man had to reduce what surrounds him to his capacity for vision, miniaturizing not only the tree, but also the landscape on which it grows. Other schools, however, saw the birth of life despite adversity in twisted trunks born on a stone. Trunks and branches could also be bent to create ideograms or magic numbers.
According to a legend, the birth of the art of bonsai dates back to the Han period (206 BC – 220 AD), and it was initiated by a man gifted with the power to miniaturize landscapes. But the first certain testimony is found in a painting found in the tomb of a nobleman from the Tang dynasty, who died in 705 AD. C., where two men are depicted carrying a container with a small tree. In the following period, around 1000, landscape compositions, with stones and figures, called pun-wan or bonkei, became widespread. The way of cultivating trees differentiated into various schools, depending on the size, the varieties used and the shapes into which the trees were bent. Bonsai arrived in Japan, probably with Buddhist monks, in the Heian period (794-1185 AD).

Technique –
To create a bonsai you need to have a plant available; you can buy a pre-bonsai (material to be worked on which must be pruned and tied with wire) or it can be obtained through different cultivation techniques (e.g. layering or cutting).
In any case it is important that the chosen plant can adapt well to its environmental conditions.
For this reason, the starting point is the study of the species you want to grow and whether it adapts well to the environmental conditions where you want to grow it: brightness, temperature, humidity, substrate, etc.
A safer result is obtained with the choice of native species, as these are plains that live in pedoclimatic conditions very similar to your environment.
Furthermore, you need to select a tree suitable for growing bonsai. Not all trees are suitable, but many species work well. Common examples include pine, spruce, elm, ficus, juniper and maple.
At this point you need to choose a suitable container for the tree. It should be large enough to accommodate the roots, but also provide a sense of proportion to the size of the tree.
The choice of substrate is also important. There are specific substrates for bonsai on the market; in any case it must be sufficiently draining, have a good content of organic substance and with a pH suitable for the plant you want to grow.
Once you have placed the plant in the pot and are sure that it has taken root, you move on to one of the most important techniques for a bonsai: pruning.
Pruning is essential to keep trees small and to shape them. We must set ourselves the goal of forming a plant that resembles as much as possible the one that would grow larger in its natural state.
In the meantime, you need to equip yourself with a good concave cutter, especially when you need to prune thick branches. The hollow cuts left by these cutters close and heal much better than those left by any other cutters.
To better understand how to carry out pruning, consider that if two branches start at the same height as the plant, you need to keep only one (evaluating the plan you have for choosing which branch to keep). Consider that:
– Branches with curves and unnatural shapes must be eliminated.
– Remove disproportionately thick branches from the top of the plant.
In general, pruning is essential in bonsai to maintain the desired shape and size. Pruning can include removing unwanted branches, leaves or needles, as well as reducing excessive growth.
Another important technique for modeling the Bonsai is represented by wrapping with wire. By carefully wrapping anodized aluminum (or annealed copper) around the branches you can bend and shape them, at least up to a certain diameter.
This technique, called wireing, aims to shape the branches and trunks of bonsai. It basically consists of wrapping wires around the parts of the tree you want to shape.
Another technique is pinching. This involves pinching (even removing with your nails) the new growth to encourage branching and leaf density. This technique helps maintain the size and shape of the bonsai.
During the breeding and pruning phase, irrigation should never be neglected; irrigation must be carefully monitored to avoid excess or lack of water. The frequency of watering will depend on the type of tree, the climate and the season of the year: greater in summer, almost absent in winter.
Furthermore, throughout the year, especially when the plant tends to vegetate, you need to worry about fertilization. It serves to provide essential nutrients to bonsai through the application of elements important for the growth of the plant. It is essential for maintaining the health and vigor of the tree.
The position of the bonsai also plays an important role.
It is always advisable to place the bonsai in a place suitable for its species. Some trees require more direct sunlight, while others prefer partial shade. This is why it is always important to first study the botanical profile of a species.
Another very crucial technique for the health of a plant that you want to transform into a bonsai is repotting and transplanting. Every few years, bonsai trees should be repotted to provide additional space for root growth and replace depleted substrate.
During this operation a very delicate technique is that of cutting or pruning the roots. This technique is performed every time you repot. For young trees the roots are pruned by about 1/3, while for very old ones they are reduced by about 1/3. 2-3 cm. The older the trees, the less the roots are cut, since older plants develop shorter shoots and, consequently, the roots also grow less. Take care that the internal roots remain intact. The section of large roots must be oriented downwards if possible.
Finally, all seasonal treatments must be mentioned. Some trees go through dormant periods in the winter and may require less water and fertilization.
The bonsai technique requires patience and constant attention. Each tree is unique and the grower must adapt his care to the specific needs of each species and specimen.

Suitable plants –
If you are in an area characterized by a temperate or Mediterranean climate, the plants that adapt best are those most suitable for these climatic conditions, such as the vine, the pine, the juniper, the olive tree, the oak, the myrtle. , Yew, Apricot, Maple, Jasmine, Pomegranate, Apple, Rosehip, Fig, Cypress and Ash.
However, in the area where the art of bonsai was born, the varieties used for bonsai cultivation are: Azalea Satsuki or Rhododendron Indicum and Azalea Kurume or Rhododendron Kiusianum. However, the azalea is an acidophilic plant and cannot be grown anywhere.