The art of growing bonsais is an ancient oriental tradition, in which bonsai means “tray gardening”. There are traces of bonsais (miniature trees or bushes) in Egypt, Japan and China, and it was considered that the miniature tree would have concentrated the powers of the actual-size tree.
Bonsai trees require a lot of care. The branches, leaves and roots need regular pruning to maintain the shape of the plant. Pinching is also required and even the use of small wires to keep the branches growing in a certain way.
Because the root system is very small, bonsais need to be watered regularly and properly. They are also very sensitive to excesive heat (which makes water evaporate quicker), sun and wind.
Keeping bonsais in their shape is all an art and there are different styles that apply to different types of bonsai trees. The basic five styles are: formal upright, informal upright, cascade, semi cascade, and windswept.
The cascade style is probaby the most interesting to display, as the branches of the tree eventually reach a level below the base of the pot.
For the Japanese, bonsais have aesthetic beauty and are meant to evoke the...