Discover "Bonsai" - Easier To Grow, Than You Thought!
Many people are under the impression that "BONSAI" was invented by the Japanese.
Not true.
Facts. The Japanese developed bonsai into what we see today. However, the path leads back to China, where the first bonsai was grown. This Chinese art form was known as ‘pon sai’.
This article will explore the exciting aspects of what bonsai is all about and contain further links below, for you to explore and enjoy.
The term, "Bonsai" is derived from two words, "Bon", and "Sai". "Bon" means "tray". "Sai" means, "growing" or "planting". Putting the two words together gives you "tray growing", or "tray planting". Many people think it refers only to a type of miniature tree, whereas it is a method of using quite a number of different trees and plants.
Ancient Chinese agrarians and others, experimented with the growing of trees in pottery. Because the small pot size could hold little soil and the necessary nutrients, for normal growth, these trees adapted and reduced their dimensions to the pot size. This resulted in a markedly stunted growth, with gnarled branches and trunks. These pon sai were much prized by collectors.
There is still pon sai in China, to this day, but it lacks the artistry, beauty and expertise of the Japanese developed bonsai . This art form demands infinite patience, imagination and care. Rare attributes in the frenetic pace and impatience of today, but well worth developing into one’s character.
Many people think that bonsai refers only to miniature trees, but it actually applies to many other plants.
This method of art, bringing together beauty, truth and essence, in the form of the plant, container and earth, is described as, ‘heaven and earth in one container’, by the Japanese.
Zen Buddhism, as practiced by some Japanese, was used as a basis to reform the rather ugly and somewhat tortuous pon sai, of the Chinese, into the forms of harmony and beauty of the Japanese bonsai, which we enjoy today. These miniature creations were first only to be found in their Buddhist monasteries, but later found favour with the Japanese ruling classes. Still later, ordinary lovers of this art form ensured its popularity to the present day.
Japanese bonsai should bring out the ‘qi‘, or ‘ki’, of the plant. They should look natural, though miniaturised as though they just grew that way, without human help.
Many tree and plants are suitable for ‘bonsizing’
I have not the room to list all of them here, but shall give you links at the end, through which you may find some more fascinating information.
A short list:
MapleLarchCherryWisteriaBougainvilleaAzaleaJuniperApricotElmPineBonsai Privet
Depending upon climatic conditions, the bonsai are often initially, grown outside and later brought indoors.
The foregoing is a very brief introduction to the fascinating and calming art of growing bonsai. I do hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers,
Ray Cunningham
The author, Ray Cunningham, is very enthusiastic about bonsai cultivation and is building a new web site at http://raygc.com/bonsai, which offers a growing range of interesting, free articles. Also, suggested ebooks and occasional free wildlife prints, for my newsletter recipients. Email me raygc@pipeline.com, for newsletter starting details.
Not true.
Facts. The Japanese developed bonsai into what we see today. However, the path leads back to China, where the first bonsai was grown. This Chinese art form was known as ‘pon sai’.
This article will explore the exciting aspects of what bonsai is all about and contain further links below, for you to explore and enjoy.
The term, "Bonsai" is derived from two words, "Bon", and "Sai". "Bon" means "tray". "Sai" means, "growing" or "planting". Putting the two words together gives you "tray growing", or "tray planting". Many people think it refers only to a type of miniature tree, whereas it is a method of using quite a number of different trees and plants.
Ancient Chinese agrarians and others, experimented with the growing of trees in pottery. Because the small pot size could hold little soil and the necessary nutrients, for normal growth, these trees adapted and reduced their dimensions to the pot size. This resulted in a markedly stunted growth, with gnarled branches and trunks. These pon sai were much prized by collectors.
There is still pon sai in China, to this day, but it lacks the artistry, beauty and expertise of the Japanese developed bonsai . This art form demands infinite patience, imagination and care. Rare attributes in the frenetic pace and impatience of today, but well worth developing into one’s character.
Many people think that bonsai refers only to miniature trees, but it actually applies to many other plants.
This method of art, bringing together beauty, truth and essence, in the form of the plant, container and earth, is described as, ‘heaven and earth in one container’, by the Japanese.
Zen Buddhism, as practiced by some Japanese, was used as a basis to reform the rather ugly and somewhat tortuous pon sai, of the Chinese, into the forms of harmony and beauty of the Japanese bonsai, which we enjoy today. These miniature creations were first only to be found in their Buddhist monasteries, but later found favour with the Japanese ruling classes. Still later, ordinary lovers of this art form ensured its popularity to the present day.
Japanese bonsai should bring out the ‘qi‘, or ‘ki’, of the plant. They should look natural, though miniaturised as though they just grew that way, without human help.
Many tree and plants are suitable for ‘bonsizing’
I have not the room to list all of them here, but shall give you links at the end, through which you may find some more fascinating information.
A short list:
MapleLarchCherryWisteriaBougainvilleaAzaleaJuniperApricotElmPineBonsai Privet
Depending upon climatic conditions, the bonsai are often initially, grown outside and later brought indoors.
The foregoing is a very brief introduction to the fascinating and calming art of growing bonsai. I do hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers,
Ray Cunningham
The author, Ray Cunningham, is very enthusiastic about bonsai cultivation and is building a new web site at http://raygc.com/bonsai, which offers a growing range of interesting, free articles. Also, suggested ebooks and occasional free wildlife prints, for my newsletter recipients. Email me raygc@pipeline.com, for newsletter starting details.
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