The word bonsai literally means tray tree in Japanese. Both the tree and its pot must form a harmonious unit where the shape, colors and texture of one complement those of the other. To obtain a harmonious bonsai it can take years, sometimes dozens of them doing pruning, wiring, clamping,… in addition to the transplants that it needs.
Some specimens that we will offer you here are still faithful to Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, called by bonsaists as the Classical School, but there are other “designers” (and never better said) who choose to do unusual things: like making bonsai with a plant succulent or, as you can see in the header photo, make a tree grow on a rock. Without further delay, I leave you with the best bonsai on earth , those that for one reason or another, stand out from the rest.
The smallest bonsai in the world
What tree is smaller than a miniature tree? Yes, you were right: a smaller one. This masterpiece measures about 22cm at most, and is formed by letting a seedling grow to that height and pinching it often to achieve a thick trunk and, above all, a very elegant design. But, yes, they are the most demanding in terms of cultivation , since they need to be watered often due to the small amount of substrate they have.
Music… of a bonsai
If you like to experiment, I present to you Diego Stocco. He is not a bonsai grower, he has not won any prize in exhibitions of these beautiful specimens, but he is a lover of these plants and more domestic. He bought one and decided to try some tricks and see how it goes. He used a Røde NT6 microphone, some tiny transducers and a customized stethoscope. He also used a piano hammer, paint brush, and various bows to get sounds from the tree. At no point did the plant suffer any damage, but we don’t know if he got what he was looking for. What I can say is that music may not come out of the tree, but I do recommend that you listen to some songs that relax you when you work with it. It is very nice.
Maples as bonsai
The maple genus is perhaps one of the most requested when ordering a bonsai, or wanting to make one. Japanese Maples, scientifically called Acer palmatum , are widely used in Japan, but we are finding more and more interesting species that can be perfect candidates for making a bonsai. Among them we have the Acer negundo , or the Acer saccharum . Although there is one thing that you should not forget and that is that, when you start designing a bonsai, you will probably do it with a previously chosen style, but… don’t be surprised if you change your mind after a few years!
Apple tree
The Malus, or better known as apple trees , are exceptional trees. They are one of the most you can see in different bonsai exhibitions. Its flowering is a spectacle in itself, and in addition, it produces some small but delicious apples that, well, they will not fill your stomach, but they will calm it down.
San Jose Juniper
Author: Nacho Marin
This work of art belongs to Nacho Marín, a Venezuelan graduate in Fine Arts who is fascinated by the infinite possibilities of manipulating trees. In his quest to recreate a natural setting, he also takes great care that the shape and mood of the final product be reflected in his artistic vision of it. No wonder his Junípero de San José, which you can see in the photo above, won the title of »most artistically innovative entry of all entries in all categories» in the Art of Bonsai Contest 2008.
Desert rose… in bonsai
It is not as popular as junipers or junipers, but its flowers attract the gaze of many humans. In India is the Lord Jai Krishna, which has no more and no less than 100 copies, incredible, right? They are extraordinary. Thanks to its slow growth and resistance to pruning, you can make a perfect Desert Rose bonsai.
Azalea
Azaleas are bushes with which you can get masterpieces like the one I show you in the photo above. In Chinese culture they are immortalized in ancient poetry and contemporary stories. They are a real wonder.
elderly bonsai
The oldest known bonsai can be found in the private garden of a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. The specimens they have there are between 400 and 800 years old. An incredible age for a plant that lives in a pot . Without a doubt, it is a place that all bonsai lovers must visit! And don’t forget that bonsai is synonymous with patience, sometimes a lot.
