About Bonsai Basic Styling

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Bonsai, as a Japanese art form, is more regulated than it’s Chinese counterpart, the penjing. Bonsai attempts to achieve the ideal tree, while penjing attempts to reproduce nature. This is why perfect styling exists in bonsai if you obey the ‘rules’, while penjing leave you free to your creation. As a result these are the basic styles :

Broom (Hokidachi or Hoki-zukuri)

A very harmonious style, this form has branches that develop at a certain height, forming an upside broom. This styling is mainly achieved through a technique called the “V” cut. The trunk is chopped where you want the branch to start to develop and then a deep V cut is performed on the remaining trunk. This will induce buds to break near the cut. Zelkova serrata are notorious for this styling but maple and other deciduous species can easily be styled that way.

Formal Upright (Chokkan)

A tree styled the “chokkan” way has a straight trunk tapering graciously from bottom to top. The first and biggest branch is often situated at 1/3 of the desired height of the tree and is on the right or the left. The following branch is situated on the opposite side, while the third is in the back creating the perception depth. As we look at the branch structure from bottom to top, the branches are getting thinner, creating a pyramidal shape.

Informal Upright (Moyogi)

This style is very similar to the previously mentionned style as the same rules of design apply, however, the trunk is not straight but rather forms a sinuous shape while remaining tapered. This style is commonly used with conifers.

Slanting (Shakan)

Once again, this style is the same as the formal upright except that the trunk is leaning on one side. Branches are grown uniformly on the trunk like the formal/informal upright styles but the apex is tilted to the opposite side of the trunk giving a visual balanced effect.

Cascade (Kengai)

This styling requires an inclined trunk that is preferably at a 45 degree angle. The major portion of the foliage is below the pot line and sometimes goes beyond the pot itself. It often represents a tree growing on the side of cliff. A deep pot is used for this style.

Semi-cascade (Han-Kengai)

Similar to the Kengai style, this style also has an inclinated trunk. However, the foliage remains at the height of the pot line. In nature, we can see this style near a waterway, the foliage having grown on the side and leaning towards the water. While the cascade style uses a deeper pot, this style uses a medium depth pot.

Windswept (Fukinagashi)

A “windswept” tree represents a tree that has been growing in a certain shape due to natural elements . Often caused by strong wind, the trunk is always inclinated in a certain direction and all branches have grown on the same side.

Literati (Bunjin)

This styling is often represented in Japanese paintings. It is a tree with a tall and sinuous trunk. The foliage only grows near the summit of the tree. This styling is somewhat an exception to the rigorous rules of bonsai because it does not have specific rules. It represents what the bunjin movement is in Japan: the search for liberty.

Group/Forest (Yose-ue)

This styling often represents a forest or a small cluster of trees. It is supposed to be styled in a way that will clearly represent the growing habits of trees in a group. Many techinques can be used to achieve this styling and many perception techniques are used to create the illusion of a forest, or as Naka would say, “having the quality of the invisible beauty of nature”. To respect the Japanese art form, an odd number of trees is prefered for this styling.

Raft (Ikadabuki)

The same rules of the group planting apply to this style. However, all of the trunks emerge from one common trunk. This technique is often achieved with a branch placed verticaly in the soil. The roots form this branch and the upper part of the vertical branch develop secondary branches that will eventually become the trunks.

Multi-trunk Style (Sokan - Sankan)

This multi-trunk style has different possibilities. The first, which is called “Sokan”, consists of two trunks emerging from the same visible roots (nebari). The styling of the upper part of the tree must respect the same rules as the formal / informal upright styles previously described. Another variance consists of the same but with three trunks emerging from the visible roots. This is called “Sankan”. You can also have more than three trunks but to respect Japanese bonsai, it is prefered to have an odd number of trunks.

Roots Over Rock (Ishitsuki)

This styling has the specific charactreristics of having many visible roots growing over a rock and finding their way to the pot/soil.

We hope this as been an informative experience from you.

Patrick from Misho Bonsai seeds

Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. As been practicing bonsai and gardening for more then 8 years. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com, a website with resource for Bonsai seeds and tree seeds.

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Bonsai Care - The Hawaiian Umbrella Tree

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Bonsai trees are dwarf trees that can be a fun and creative hobby. These miniature trees are grown in containers and training and nurturing them is an artistic endeavor that can be enjoyed by most anyone.

One favorite type of bonsai is the Hawaiian umbrella tree. This tree has thick leaves that form a lush canopy. In spring it blooms with red flowers in a wonderful show of color. This bonsai is very hardy and adaptable, and therefore quite easy to maintain.

You can propogate the Hawaiian umbrella tree through both cuttings and seeds. When starting out a plant, you should provide it with full sun so that it can grow a thick dense foliage. Once this is accomplished, you can bring it inside and put it in a sunny window or brightly lit spot. You may find that the tree tends to drop leaves after you move it indoors - don’t be alarmed as this is just it’s way of getting used to the new environment. Once it is acclimated, it will grow it’s lush canopy of leaves again.

While the umbrella tree does not need pinching or training like some other bonsai, it does need regular pruning as the shoots do sprout rapidly. While rather easy to maintain, you must keep a constant vigil against pests and disease.

As with any bonsai, the soil quality for the Hawaiian umbrella tree is key to key to it’s successful growth. Plant in a mix of acidic and mildly alkaline soil for best results.

Water is also important and your umbrella tree should be misted and watered about every other day. Don’t let the soil dry out as this can have adverse affects on the health of your plant. On the other hand, you don’t want to water it too much either! You should soak the soil and allow the water to drain - no standing water and do not let the soil become overly dry. If you see the leaves turning black, this is in indication that you are watering too much, if they tips turn up then you are not watering enough.

Bonsai trees can last a very long time if properly cared for. Many people don’t stop at one tree and you can collect and grow several different varieties for your own miniature garden. There are many groups devoted to this hobby where you can share your experience and learn from others.

Although it is fun to share your hobby with others, always keep your umbrella tree away from children and pets because it can be poisonous!

Lee Dobbins write for bonsai.garden-corner.com where you can learn more about the different types of bonsai trees and their care.

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The Bonsai Tree Essay

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What comes into your mind when you hear the word tree? For starters, it surely is something tall and towering. You may start thinking of big trunks and a deeply rooted body. Of course, that is the generic perception. That is until the bonsai tree came into the picture.

Bonsai is a word used to describe miniature trees. To qualify as a bonsai, a tree should be a lot smaller than it ordinarily is, even at a mature stage. This means that it has all elements like leaves, flowers, roots, trunk, body and sometimes, even fruit. This Ancient Chinese technique of growing plants started two hundred years ago for medical purposes. However, the times changed and bonsai is now considered as a work of art ready for display... rather than a portable tree ready to be used as medicine.

Some of the common themes in bonsai growing are founded by the Japanese and Chinese Schools of Thought. The Japanese aesthetic pays much attention to the harmony of heaven and earth in one container. As such, they pick plants that mainly consist of flowery bushes and similarly colorful shrubs. Some of their favorite subjects are maple, elm, juniper, flowering cherry, azalea and larch. According to the Japanese, the bonsai is a perfecta attempt in evoking a plant's essential spirits.

As for the Chinese, bonsai is a great way of capturing nature's beauty in contrast. This is an influence of Taoism, a philosophy that became so popular in China hundreds of years ago. Such double-sided metaphors are related to legends on the yin and the yang. More than the art of growing the bonsai itself, the Chinese also pay much attention to the pots they use. There you will see calligraphic designs, dragons and other stylized paintings that spell common passion for this race.

Bonsais are also very delicate to culture. You don't just plant them, leave them under the sun and water them once in a while in order to live. A bonsai gardener will always have to patiently check so many aspects of the plant's surroundings if they want to ensure that it doesn't dry down, rot or simply wither to die. The reason behind this is the plant's weakened health. Due to the restrictions in growth, the plant's immune system suffers a little. As such, it is up to those who care for these plants to prolong their lives so that they could enjoy its beauty longer.

That is the bonsai... colorful, meaningful and delicately beautiful. Experience all these and start your own bonsai garden no. All you have to do is buy materials on the net or a nearby plant store. With a little caution and a lot of care, that bonsai plant of yours will surely be in full bloom!

Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. As been practicing bonsai and gardening for more then 8 years. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com/, a website with resource for Bonsai seeds and tree seeds.

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Exotic Types of Bonsai Tree

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Not all types of bonsai tree are of a coniferous or deciduous species, with the occasional fruit tree forming part of the collection. The bonsai artist can choose a type of bonsai tree that is much more exotic.

One of the more exotic choices is the Wisteria bonsai. A native of China, Korea, and Japan, they can reach 30 feet in the wild. Forming them into a bonsai is a difficult challenge, since they don’t conform to any of the usual styles.

The flowering habit of the Japanese bonsai tree is perhaps the most spectacular of the Wisteria bonsai. The Wisteria flower, assuming a variety of colors including blue, purple, pink, and white, are both beautiful and aromatic. The Wisteria flower carries a distinctive fragrance similar to that of grapes.

The early flowering time of the Japanese bonsai tree Wisteria can cause problems in temperate climates, where early frost can destroy the coming year flowers. The care of Wisteria bonsai is fairly easy. They need lots of water in the spring when they are blooming, adequate drainage, and ample fertilizer. Also need fertilizer in the fall before the leaves fall off.

Another one the exotic types of bonsai tree is the Orange Jasmine. It is another option that will provide beauty to the eye and delight to the nose. This type of bonsai tree is a summer flowering tree from western and southern China. It has small leave blossoms which are followed by bright, decorative, red fruit.

Orange Jasmine bonsai tree should be fed every three to four weeks beginning in early spring and continuing through mid-autumn. Light watering is adequate for most of the year only slightly more in the summer.

The Orange Jasmine type of bonsai tree can be raised indoors since they do better in filtered sun and moderate shade.

The Mimosa silk tree type of bonsai tree is as fragrant as either of the two types of bonsai tree above. Their lacy foliage and puffy flowers are also just as lovely.

The Mimosa silk tree flowers bloom in late April to early July. During this blooming season they should receive moderate amounts of water. You need to avoid over watering the flowers because, like most flowering plants, they will wilt and deteriorate when wet.

The Desert Rose bonsai tree is another non-traditional choice of exotic tree. It is native to East Africa and it can grow up to 8-10 feet in the wild. It has fleshy leaves and forms a very bulbous base and produces exotic 2 inch pink and white, open-trumpet shaped flowers throughout the year in full sun.

This type of bonsai tree is sensitive to cold and should be brought indoors in clod climates. During this period they will need very little water.

If you are a Bonsai tree lover and want more exotic types of bonsai tree, there are many choices available that could make an excellent design complement to the many trees in a standard bonsai set.

You can find on Mr. Butler website= http://www.a-green-thumb.smmsite.com/ tips and resources on gardening and Bonsai trees. "Bonsai Care Secrets" and "Bonsai Gardening Secrets" are currently recommended by Mr. Butler. Free Bonuses with each book.

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