Tiny bonsai have large fan following

Bonsai (pronounced: "bone sigh") is an ancient Oriental form of art, literally meaning: "planted in a tray." It is basically the practice of dwarfing live plants while keeping their roots confined to a small container. This culture originated in China, but was further developed by the Japanese, who made it popular to the rest of the world.


Full-sized trees are grown in shallow planters and kept diminutive by artistic shaping and pruning, a process that takes many, many years of devotion and skillful care. Bonsai can be as small as a few inches (miniature) or as high as 3 feet or more (large).

The main attraction of bonsai is its form, and even when that form is somewhat exaggerated, it is never grotesque. A true bonsai will never be more distorted than a tree in nature, caused by its restricted natural growing conditions. And yet, true bonsai trees are never an exact replica of trees growing in the wild. They are really an evocation of the spirit of nature, of the life force of the natural world. In other words, they are shaped by man to imitate nature.

Bonsai can become very old. Many of them have been passed on from generation to generation and are several hundred years old. For the advanced student of bonsai culture to enjoy any perspective of this art form, one must develop an awareness and understanding of balance, harmony, symmetry and proportion in design, which comes as one studies and practices this art form.

The serious beginner should at least have an understanding of these principles: natural tree forms, growth habits and the basic bonsai styles.

Let's explore the different styles that were established by the long-ago Japanese bonsai masters, who based them on the styles of normal-sized trees that they found in nature. There are six officially recognized bonsai styles:

1. Formal upright (Chokkan)

2. Informal upright (Moyo-Gi)

3. Slanted trunk (Shakan)

4. Windswept (Fukinagashi)

5. Semi-cascade (Han-Kengai)

6. Cascade (Kengai)

Let's look at the essential elements of bonsai design by using the "Formal Upright" style as an example.

Roots (Nebari): Strong surface roots radiating from the base of the trunk give stability to the tree.

Trunk (Miki): A pronounced taper from the base to the apex shows strength, while the bark characteristics indicate an aged tree.

Branches: Alternate branches, with the lowest, primary branch (Ichi-noeda) as the strongest and the longest.

Secondary and tertiary branches: Arranged into a group of three, allowing for a visual depth to the composition.

Twigginess: Good ratio of branches to twigs.

Crown/apex (Shin): A good crown is the most difficult part of a bonsai to develop.

Of course there are many interpretations of the "Formal Upright" style, whereby variations of branch angles and direction of branches will occur. However, the trunk must always be upright and tapered.

The "InformaI Upright" style is the most popular. The trunk is slightly curved and is balanced by placing the crown directly over the base of the trunk. The branches are used to balance the curves of the trunk.

For the beginner, it is important to start with simple and easy plant material. One that is really easy is the woody rosemary plant. As one learns the basics of bonsai and become more comfortable with the trees, try others, such as the Japanese red maple (Acer palmatum), English boxwood, dwarf Calamondin orange, Natal plum, compact sweet myrtle, European olive tree, ginkgo tree, miniature pomegranate, elm and juniper varieties and the pretty flowering double "snow rose" Serissa.

Next week I'll have more about how to keep these plants miniature.

Tineke Wilders is a freelance writer. Send questions to tinekegardens@juno.com .