Contents
Bonsai, historical notes
Admittedly highly sought after for their particularity and their elegance, bonsai are real miniature trees, let’s say on a reduced scale. They perform the same functions as trees growing in the wild, but they definitely need more care. The art of creating a bonsai, because we are talking about art, dates back to the days of ancient Japan. The Japanese learned this technique from the Chinese and transformed it into a real art that combines the beauty that the different forms of Bonsai give, while respecting nature, since a Bonsai is a plant in all its aspects, used for grow in miniature and perform exactly the same functions in nature. Creating a bonsai takes passion, time and patience, but the rewards that come from a plant we have planted and grown,
How to make a bonsai, criteria for choosing
If we have decided to create a bonsai, the first thing we should think about is where we should place the plant. If we want to grow it as an indoor plant, we must choose one of the following plants, which adapt well to the indoor environment: Ficus, Serissa, Privet, Camellia, Carmona and Schefflera Arboricola. For those short on time or wanting something “easier” to grow right from the start, Crassula is highly recommended as it is a succulent plant and is easier to grow and less demanding in terms of care and maintenance . If, on the other hand, we intend to grow our bonsai outdoors, the choice of plants is certainly much wider: maple, birch, cypress, cedar, beech, false cypress, juniper, privet, elm, black pine and olive tree, just for name. Some.
Create Bonsai, everything you need
If you have decided to create a Bonsai and you have already chosen the plant that best suits your growing needs, you must first decide how to proceed to obtain your Bonsai. There are several methods, the most common of which are: sowing cuttings or layering. We recommend the pruning method, which is undoubtedly easier and allows us to shape our Bonsai from its growth. If you want to proceed by cuttings, you must take a branch, possibly young, from another Bonsai during the summer period, cutting it diagonally and trying not to remove the bark in the area where the cut was made. . After the cutting has taken, almost all the leaves should be removed, leaving only a few at the apex. Plant the cutting slightly diagonally in a not too large pot, using soil and sand, and cover the vase with envelopes supported on wooden supports to be inserted in the vase, to maintain a good level of humidity. Water the cutting when the soil dries out, removing the bag and allowing the plant to breathe.
If you have chosen to follow the cuttings method, after a few months your new plant will begin to produce vegetation (obviously depending on the type of plant). If the pot is not too small, it is recommended to leave the cutting there for about a year. Once the new plant has vegetated and developed a decent root system, you can start thinking about the final pot you are going to grow your bonsai in. Once you’ve chosen the pot, you can proceed with repotting and begin treating the bonsai like a mature plant, shaping it into whatever style you prefer (straight, angled, windswept, cascading, etc.) . Keep in mind that each style requires a very specific technique. As far as maintenance is concerned, each bonsai during its growth must be pruned, both to give it shape and to ”