Bonsai Curiosities | Gardening On

Japanese pine bonsai

japanese pine bonsai

Bonsai are miniature trees or shrubs that are patiently and respectfully worked they can perfectly imitate any tree or shrub that we find in nature. These wonders were created so that humans could relax without even leaving the home, and boy did they succeed.

Even the samurai, after each fight, spent time taking care of their pampered plants. But besides this, there are other things that I want to tell you. Things that may surprise you and bring you closer to this magical and mysterious world. These are the bonsai curiosities that you should know.

A bonsai is a living work of art. Being alive, can never be finished. You can finish defining a style, but the plant will produce new leaves, flowers and fruits every year, so that anyone who wants to have one must assume this commitment to this project, a project that can be passed from parents to children, from grandparents to grandchildren and from uncles nephews.

Thus, the life expectancy of a wonder like this can be hundreds of years. In the Bonsai Museum in Crespi, Italy, there is a Ficus that is around 1000 years old. A thousand years! There is nothing . Although conifers are usually the oldest, such as a juniper found in the Kato family’s Mansei-en nursery in Omiya, Japan, which is over 1000 years old.

Japanese maple bonsai

japanese maple bonsai

And there, in Japan, until not long ago a family must have a bonsai that is at least 300 years old to be considered traditional. Although it was not in this country where this technique arose, but in China during the XNUMXrd century BC. But, yes, everything has to be said: the Japanese have managed to perfect it to the maximum and all thanks to observation.

Anyone who wants to work a plant must be patient and observe a lot. Every day you should spend some time looking carefully at your plant. Inspect its leaves, be attentive to the changes that occur in it over the weeks and months. In this way you can better protect it from possible pests and diseases, and you will know when to prune it, water it, wire it, or, ultimately, take care of it.

Zeljova bonsai and azalea

Zeljova and azalea bonsai

This work of art moving has to grow outside. You need to feel the passing of the seasons, especially if it is a plant from temperate or cold climates. It only has to be indoors if it is tropical, like the serissa for example, and we live in an area where winter temperatures drop below zero degrees.

We don’t have to be in a rush to get it more or less finished. Pruning it drastically without having observed it can weaken it greatly, delaying a year or two (or more) the work.

If you have been wanting to know more, click here.

Bonsai Curiosities | Gardening On

Leave a Reply

Scroll to top

Discover more from DIY Gardens

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading