What is the Japanese dwarf tree called? Bonsai - is it entertainment for rich people or a desire to join God? The ancient art of bonsai

What is bonsai? I think even a schoolboy will answer this question. At present, you will no longer surprise with this kind of art. Yes, yes, art. After all, these are not just small trees in pots, this is a very painstaking work, often many years.

To create a real masterpiece, you need great patience, skills and hard work. Bonsai can be very different in terms of the formation of the crown, trunks and the number of trees in one composition, as well as in size - up to 2.5 cm - tiny, and when it reaches more than a meter - it is already huge.

Origin of cultivation type bonsai according to legend, it was in ancient times thanks to the order of the emperor to make an exact copy of his state in miniature, that is, houses, mountains and forests. And although it all began in China, the name bonsai became widely known - the Japanese reading of the same hieroglyphs. The Chinese word for bonsai is penzai. And it translates into Russian - a tree in a bowl. After all, the main condition for creating miniature trees, which grow huge in nature, is a small capacity to create an almost flat root system. Although this is just one of the many tricks of bonsai specialists. So many nuances, tricks, secrets are kept by true bonsai gurus. So, along with growing from cuttings, growing from seeds is also possible, but the process of forming a bonsai can be delayed for 10-12 years. The easiest and fastest way is a special pruning.

For creating bonsai You can use any trees with small foliage or conifers and dense branching. Pots and pallets for bonsai are also selected especially carefully, depending on the type of tree.

Bonsai was first presented at an exhibition in 1914 in Tokyo.

During the Tokugawa era in Japan, a new kind of design for greenhouses and parks was a popular "entertainment" for wealthy people. But Buddhist monks believed that by growing bonsai, they, like a god, create gardens. The world is a garden. And Buddha is a gardener. If you want to join God or the rich, or just try to grow a tiny, but very original tree at home, then go for it, towards the beautiful!

The art of bonsai has evolved over the years, and during this time a huge number of styles of creating trees have appeared. Of course, first of all, bonsai is created for the sake of decorativeness. The main role is played by the shape of the trunk and crown. It is they who create that unique appearance of the bonsai, which is so valued all over the world.

The most common styles of bonsai are:

• Hokidachi. This is the style of creating a crown like a fan. Great for trees with thin and small leaves. The trunk of the tree should be straight, not curly. Such a crown resembles a ball and looks very beautiful at any time of the year.
• Moyogi. This style is also found in the natural environment. The trunk of the tree is curved and resembles the letter "s". Each bend has its branches covered with foliage. Branches and leaves begin about a third above the base of the trunk. In this case, the base should be wider than the top.
• Bunzings. This is a bohemian style that is designed to show the struggle of trees for survival. In the natural environment, such trees can be seen in dense forests where there is little light and only very tall trees that can reach the illuminated area survive. The trunk of such a tree should be long, slightly curved and bare. Foliage is located only at the very top.
• Fukinagashi. It is also a style of fighting and survival. The trunk of the tree is curved and slightly inclined to the side. All branches are located only on one side of the tree. Such trees can be seen in places with strong winds that constantly blow in one direction.

Despite the presence of long-established styles, it is not necessary to follow any rules. The crown of a tree can have a completely bizarre and unusual shape that does not fit any style. - this is primarily a manifestation of their imagination and creative impulses.

More information can be found in the video:

Bonsai is the name of a small tree with an unusual trunk and crown shape. These trees originated in ancient China, and then in Japan they became not just plants, but turned into works of art. In the modern world, the word "bonsai" refers not only to trees, but also to the methods of their cultivation.

The goal of flower growers who grow bonsai at home is to be able to reproduce the creation of nature. These small copies of trees respect all natural laws and have all realistic proportions. A deciduous tree, for example, blossoms, loses its leaves, and then becomes covered again, and so on.

But it must be remembered that the formation of a tree, growing and caring for it, is a laborious task that takes a lot of time and requires certain knowledge and patience.

People who have never dealt with the care of bonsai trees think that special seeds are needed to grow them, but this is not the case.

In fact, all miniature plants grow from ordinary seeds, but mankind has come up with ways to keep the growth and change the shape of trees, and uses them with success.

Small trees have different shapes and differ in their arrangement in pots:

In pots, in addition to trees, there are figurines and small houses. The soil is often hidden under a layer of pebbles or green moss.

Tree formation

To grow the right bonsai, you need to have certain skills and knowledge.

For planting, you can use seeds, cuttings or cuttings of trees. To stop growth, the same techniques are used as in the wild: severe frosts, winds and droughts.

In small trees, the roots are pruned, the branches are also cut, as well as twisted, and additionally tied with wire. All leaves, buds and shoots must be removed.

The trunks are bent or pulled back, depending on the chosen shape.

Growth can be slowed down in the following ways:

• squeezing the roots of a tree;
• selection of small pots in size;
• the use of coarse soil, without trace elements;
• exclusion of substances necessary for growth;
• influence of strong wind;
• the influence of strong heat;
• the influence of severe and sharp frosts.

Also, trees need rules regarding the shape that is chosen for the tree. To create the desired appearance, they combine naturalness and the necessary form. The height of the trees should not exceed 30 centimeters.

Growing plants from a nursery

When buying a young tree from a nursery, you can form a bonsai fairly quickly. After all, nurseries sell plants that have been grown in a container for a long time, thanks to which they already have developed roots.

The plant is transplanted from the container into the prepared land for bonsai, after cutting off the roots. The purchase of a plant and transplantation must be carried out in early spring, before the growth period.

It is also necessary to properly trim the roots and not damage when digging. The plant is transported by placing the roots in a bag of moss, and the houses are planted in large containers and placed in a shady place protected from drafts.

About 3 years will pass before the tree can be transplanted into a small pot. And in 5-10 years it will be possible to get a fully formed bonsai.

Trees grown in nature take a long time to root. Therefore, sometimes preparations for transplantation begin several years in advance, gradually cutting off the roots.

This option is well suited for trees from a personal garden, which you can follow and gradually remove the length of the roots. Trees from the garden are also planted first in a container, and after three years they are transplanted into a pot.

Draft formation can be started already in the first years, then after 50 years you will get a bonsai that looks powerful and spectacular.

Forming a bonsai from an already practically grown tree and transplanting it correctly is a rather difficult task, and beyond the power of beginners.

seed bonsai

The method of growing from seeds is quite long in time. It takes about 15 years to get a full-fledged bonsai. At this age, it is easier to buy seedlings in the nursery.

But there are plant species whose form can only be changed by starting from the very beginning, such as elms. And therefore, seeds are planted, sprouts are grown, and formation begins from the first year, more sprouts.

When the tree is fully formed, it will be very noticeable that it has been shaped from the very beginning.

The roots of such trees diverge in the shape of a star, and the trunks are formed even and beautiful. Bonsai is harmonious and proportional.

Sown trees at the stage of thin sprouts can be bent in any direction and given any conceived shape.

Seeds can be bought in stores or collected independently in parks or botanical gardens. Some seeds can be sown immediately, such as oaks, spruces, pines, and some need to be stored in a cool place until spring, such as juniper, hornbeam and others.

Before planting, all seeds undergo special treatment to prevent diseases.. Then they are soaked for several days and only then planted in prepared soil in containers or peat cups. After planting, the soil is compacted and watered abundantly.

Seedlings are grown following standard care standards: regular watering, ventilation, diffused light and fertilizer. When the seedling reaches a height of 10 centimeters, it is transplanted and the first molding is carried out.

Getting bonsai from seeds is a laborious and difficult task, but the result will be on top.

Bonsai from cuttings

Compared with the seed method, this method will speed up the formation of bonsai by a year. Cuttings must be cut from a healthy tree shoot. They are cut and rooted in the ground or in wet sand.

The final size of the bonsai is already clear at the beginning of the formation of a miniature tree. The main skeletal branches and trunk are usually already present and further growth will be limited.

In order to achieve the ideal size, you need to pay attention to the size of the leaves. If the species has small leaves, then bonsai can be formed in any size. And if the castings are large or long needles, then it is necessary to set the size of the tree based on the proportions.

Features of growing bonsai

In order to form a certain shape of branches and trunk, one cannot do without wire. It can be applied to branches or trunk, and this technique is quite laborious and complicated.

With the help of a wire, all branches and shoots are fixed. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the wire does not grow into the bark of the tree. It is applied most often in spring or winter, along with annual pruning.

It usually takes about 3 weeks to stabilize the desired shape of a branch or shoot. After that, the wire is removed with wire cutters.

The wire is usually aluminum, coated with copper. And with the help of it they change the direction of the branches, change in growth, the formation of trunks.

Bonsai Tree Care

With constant restrictions in growth, crown formation, growth in a limited space, the life of a tree changes dramatically. The same goes for caring for him.

The most important thing to remember when growing miniature trees is to protect them from drafts and place the pot away from central heating radiators. Avoid direct sunlight best.

Landing. For proper bonsai cultivation, it is impractical to choose a pot with drainage holes. A mesh is additionally laid at the bottom of the pot to prevent soil from washing out.

Before planting, the roots of the plant are pruned. The tree is planted in a pot, fixing large roots, and filling all the gaps with soil. Then the earth around the trunk is rammed and watered. The container with the plant is quarantined for 10 days, in a shaded place.

Watering. For irrigation use soft water, settled or thawed. During the period of active growth, plants need to be watered frequently, and watering is reduced in winter.

Bonsai can be watered using a special watering can or by submersion. Drip irrigation or irrigation is widely used in the modern world.

Top dressing. They are carried out about once every two weeks, and they use their own fertilizers for each type of tree or shrub. It is very important to avoid overfeeding. Therefore, a specific fertilizer application schedule is usually used.

Wintering

In winter, for coniferous and deciduous trees, it is necessary to provide a dormant period. It is better to put them outside or in an unheated room.

In this case, the root system must be protected by additional means. When spring comes, the plants wake up, and the watering and fertilizing regime is restored.

Transfer

Transplantation is performed annually at the end of winter. When transplanting, the soil is removed from the roots, washed and pruned. The pot must be chosen larger than the previous one. When transplanting, the roots are placed horizontally, sprinkled with earth and watered.

Crown formation. For a beautiful formation of the crown of trees, it is necessary to carry out annual pruning. At the same time, it is useful in sanitary terms and rejuvenation. The crown is usually formed conical.

The first pruning is done immediately after planting. And then every year after wintering repeat. With pruning, you can set the direction for the growth of bonsai and redistribute energy from strong shoots to weak ones.

Bonsai Formation Methods

Sometimes artificial aging of trees is carried out so that a young tree looks like a living one. One of these methods is the removal of the bark from the trunk.

To correct the shape of the tree, you can use the method of air layering. It is especially effective if the bonsai grows with a too long trunk.

For this method, in the spring, an incision is made on the tree trunk and the bark is removed. This place is moistened in growth stimulants and covered.

In the fall, the incision is opened, roots should form there. Then part of the trunk is cut off below the roots. And planted as a separate plant.

Thus, at home, you can grow a beautiful and spectacular bonsai tree. But this will require some effort.

Bonsai are dwarf, but at the same time absolutely healthy and very beautiful trees, which are grown in Japan. It is not so easy to grow bonsai according to all the rules, as these plants require special attention and care. If you want to start growing bonsai from seeds at home, then use the tips from this article.

Initially, bonsai originated in China, where it was called "pencai", and only later this ancient art passed to Japan and developed there. Legend has it that one of the emperors wanted to build a miniature copy of his empire, and it was for this that these dwarf trees were grown. Today, these dwarf trees are increasingly used to decorate the interior with their own hands, which not every housewife manages to grow with their own hands.

Formation of a bonsai tree

To grow the right bonsai, you need to acquire the necessary skills, abilities and knowledge. This is a very complex art, but, nevertheless, fascinating in its own way and mysterious in an oriental way. Seeds, cuttings and cuttings can be used for planting. Including for their cultivation, wild-growing trees of small sizes are taken, growing in strict conditions of the wild environment. Severe frosts, strong winds and long droughts stop or slow down the growth of the tree. Approximately the same tactics of influence is used in the art of bonsai.

The roots and branches of bonsai trees are cut according to a special system, and the branches are also twisted and tied with copper wire. Unnecessary buds, shoots and leaves are removed, and the trunks of trees can be pulled back or bent so that they have the shape chosen by the owners. Bonsai growth is slowed down by the following actions:

With an excess of light and an insufficient amount of nitrogenous substances in plants in the wild, chlorophyll grains stick together and die. Plants living in swamps with high humidity receive protection from solar excess - they have small leathery leaves and a fairly thick cuticle.

In addition to growth restrictions, bonsai has other rules that relate to the form chosen for the tree. Naturalness and the form corresponding to the rules are the two components of the appearance of a dwarf tree. There are many generally accepted types of bonsai, differing from each other in shape, and sometimes in size. And although, according to the general law, the height of a tree should not exceed thirty centimeters, now experts in this field have begun to grow trees even larger.

The tree species used also affect the overall appearance of the resulting bonsai tree. For example, conifer will be pleasing to the eye all year round, as it does not have leaves that could fall off. Bonsai, characterized by beautiful fruits or flowers, will show itself in all its glory at certain times of the year. There are even species that have the brightest leaf color in autumn.

Types of bonsai for growing at home

As mentioned above, the types of bonsai trees differ from each other in shape as well as placement in the pot. There are many of them, and here are the most common ones:

1. "Symmetrical" (tekkan) - a tree that grows straight and has strong roots. It differs in that it also has a wide trunk. The species used for it are very different, you can find birch, pine, and elm.

2. "Rock" (sekizhezhu) - an imitation of a rocky landscape. Very often, cherry or oak is grown for it.

3. "Inclined" (shakan) - unlike the straight "tekkan", this type of dwarf tree is slightly inclined away from the vertical line.

4. "Tilted by the wind" (kengai) - such a bonsai is similar to the "shakan", but it is tilted even more, as if a strong wind has blown on it for many years. Sometimes such a tree can even fall below its pot. Branches of this type also correspond to the effect of a strong and long wind - they have one direction. At the same time, it is important that the Kengai pot is stable, because it is not surprising that in this case it is important to maintain balance in the composition.

5. "Dead tree" (sharimiki) - a tree that has no bark. At the same time, it really seems that it is dying or already inanimate.

6. “Two trunks” (kabudati) is a forked trunk and a common crown. There are also two trees in one pot, but they usually grow from the same point.

7. "Hieroglyphs" (bunzings) - such a tree has a crown of leaves only at the top of the branches, which the trunk is almost devoid of. It is believed that conifers in this case will look especially interesting.

8. "Multi-stemmed" (ese-ue) - like "kabudati", this is not a single tree, but several bonsai trees combined in one pot. In this case, there is an imitation of a miniature forest.

9. "Half-cascade" (han-kengap) - the base of this type of bonsai tree grows straight up, but then the trunk begins to lean down. In this case, the stability of the container in which the bonsai grows is also important.

In addition to the tree itself, there may be tiny houses and figurines in the pot, and the ground is often covered with small stones or green moss. From a bonsai tree, you can create a whole composition that imitates the natural landscape.

Also read: how to make a beaded bonsai

Bonsai care at home

When purchasing a ready-made tree, you need to know the rules for caring for this plant. After all, bonsai must be cut in time, properly fed and provided with the right amount of water. It is in winter that especially large shoots are removed from it and cut according to the chosen shape. Only clean and sharp instruments are used for such operations. When transplanting, it is necessary to remove the main, thick roots of the tree to ensure slow growth.

Watering the bonsai tree is frequent, albeit not very plentiful. It is impossible not to notice that the amount of moisture required also depends on the species, because, as you know, coniferous trees need a smaller portion of water than deciduous ones. Spraying the tree is highly desirable. Every week in the summer, a dwarf tree needs to be fed, and not with ordinary fertilizers, but with special ones designed specifically for such trees. In winter, this is done only once a month.

Growing bonsai at home, as well as caring for it, requires compliance with certain rules. In this case, you will be able to grow beautiful trees to decorate the interior in the style of ecological minimalism. Experiment and expand your collection of indoor plants with new species.

) showered questions about the possibility of growing bonsai at home.

First, I will say a few words about the history of growing a decorative miracle tree. This amazing, complex and incredibly interesting art appeared in China in 200 BC. Growing dwarf trees in small containers was called pen-tsai in the Celestial Empire. Now the Japanese name "bonsai" is in use.

The inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun perfected the process and instilled a love for potted trees throughout the world. There is a legend: samurai, leaving for war, took small plants with them. Their plants were a talisman of life and invincibility.

It is striking that the occupation of the local nobility, which originated in China and reached aerobatics in Japan - the cradle of oriental wisdom and deep understanding of the world - has spread throughout the world, leaving no people indifferent, even if they are completely far in their worldview from the legislators of this fashion.

At homeartbonsai is valued on a par with sculptures or paintings by famous artists and certainly has its own masters who reach a high level in this matter. It also has a deep philosophical meaning. For this reason, coniferous species are more valued, since they symbolize eternity, in contrast to deciduous ones, which shed dead leaves.

I can’t say that I am a very big specialist and “mini-gardener”, I cannot boast of my own garden of mini-trees, but, as far as I know, growing them is quite simple. wonder tree Bonsai is easy to grow even for a beginner grower. There is an opinion that this plant needs some special care, but this is not so. For a mini-tree, a small ceramic pot with good drainage and loose sandy soil, and good lighting is enough. Bonsai are watered infrequently, as the soil dries completely.

To keep your tree miniature, you should grow it in a small pot and periodically pinch the top so that it grows not in height, but in breadth. But, as always, no matter how simple this project looks, you can be sure that as it is implemented, you will stumble upon "shoals and underwater reefs." Therefore, I will give here recommendations that will allow you to avoid trouble and disappointment.

To grow bonsai indoors, initially you need to choose the right types of trees, namely from a special group - “indoor bonsai”, since there is also a group of “garden bonsai”, which are much more resistant to the vagaries of nature, but are completely unsuited to live in indoor conditions.

In addition to the needs specific to bonsai, you should always take into account the growing conditions of each particular plant from which you will create a mini-tree. I must say that it is better to take specimens whose homeland is your region of residence. But this is especially true for garden species, and then you can experiment on any hardy tree.

If the tree is not grown independently, then bonsai turns into a rather expensive pleasure. In addition, when buying, you can run into a fake - a skillfully finished seedling of a large tree or a dwarf specimen. Therefore, it is easier, certainly and much more exciting to grow a tree yourself in a room from a seedling, a rooted cutting or a seed (citruses, coffee). Only it should be noted right away: this is not easy - painstaking and lengthy work, requiring maximum attention and time.

For bonsai, specimens that form a lignified trunk are suitable. plant species for bonsai room decorations see Attachment.

The essence of technology bonsai is to artificially slow down the growth of a full-fledged shoot from an ordinary tree. This is achieved in several ways, the main of which is the formation of a crown to give the bonsai the appearance of a naturally growing tree. This is a very artistic, fantasy work and is almost a whole science. To shape a bonsai, the following steps apply:

• planting a tree in a small container
• selection of infertile soil and application of fertilizers only in the form of a minimum
• frequent pruning of young buds and shoots
• frequent pruning of the roots, mandatory when transplanting
• cutting the bark of the trunk leading to its aging
• stopping or weakening the flow of sap in the tree - for this, incisions in the trunk are used, compression with copper or aluminum wire (for conifers for 6 months, for deciduous for 3, wire ingrowth is unacceptable)
• bending and twisting the trunk and branches with wire, which requires special care

All techniques for shaping a tree are made in the summer and only after the tree is well accepted and strengthened in its pot. Even pruning of roots and branches should balance the proportions of bonsai above and below ground in growth.

Pruning of branches is also done with meaning: when a section of a branch is removed, an impetus is given to increased growth of a shoot or bud, below the cut part. So by finding shoots sticking out in the direction you want and removing the top part, you can get the entire branch to grow where you want it to. Pruning is done without leaving a knot, close to the growing element. The remaining branches and trunk will become stronger and thicker.

According to the shape of the crown, trunk and roots, many styles of bonsai are distinguished (see APPENDIX). A certain style is characteristic of a certain type of plant.

Bonsai in the room: care

The lighting needs of bonsai are different in each case, but the tree must receive bright sunlight at least for a while, shading from too strong a sun, otherwise it will die. Then it is worth considering what shape the bonsai is and, based on this, turn it towards the light. Need wind protection. Indoor bonsai should be determined for the summer outside, only fresh air requires gradual getting used to.

Bonsai containers are special, necessarily unglazed inside and with a good outflow of water - clay or ceramics - shallow containers. A harmonious combination of plant and pot is appreciated, while the impression should be that the tree grows naturally and in no case should it be noticeable that it is being formed.

It makes sense to stop the choice on the ground on a special purchased mixture for bonsai - ordinary land will not suit them. It is not easy to make the mixture yourself: half of the organic mixture is leaf humus, peat, orchid substrate, crushed pine bark, plus half of the coarse-grained substrate - sand, stone chips. Adding lumps of clay will increase the moisture content of the mixture.

Normal room temperature in warm weather and somewhat cooler in winter - in general, many bonsai are quite thermophilic, with the exception of conifers. According to the conditions of maintenance, bonsai are excellent, as bathroom plants. They require constantly moist, but not waterlogged soil (good drainage holes in the container are needed for this purpose) and very high humidity. Watering - every day, with warm water by immersion or thin streams from above through a sieve. Some bonsai are best watered with rainwater due to lime intolerance. The best place is a pallet with pebbles in addition with frequent spraying. In a word, dry air for mini-trees is detrimental.

Transplant every 2 years in the spring. Cutting the roots by 1/3 and planting in the same pot with only a new soil mixture. Shake off the old soil from the roots a little. Top dressing: in summer - complex fertilizer, in winter less often - with a low nitrogen content. It is less laborious to use long-acting fertilizers in granules.

No matter what principle you may want to grow bonsai in the room - “through the small to see the great”, the ability to see in miniature all the greatness of mother nature or pride in improving oneself in growing unique plant specimens. The main thing is that you love your pet, and every day he brings happiness, harmony, peace of mind and peace of mind to your home. And in his ability to create completely unique interior in your apartment there can be no doubt about it.

RePo - positive repair hopes that our article will be a good start for you to start growing bonsai. But besides this, special books on technology may be needed. For any gardener, the main motto here will be "There is no limit to perfection!"

APPENDIX

plant species for bonsai room decoration

Bonsai styles