Chapter 22 The Art of Bonsai

General Info: Bonsai – Bon – tray, Sai – little tree Started in China 1200 to 1500 years ago First collection exhibited was in 1828 at the World’s Fair in Paris and later in London in 1909. Bonsai is the art of dwarfing plants by growing them in shallow pots and trays and by judicious trimming of roots and tops.

Planting the Bonsai: Choosing the plant – evergreen or deciduous Source of Plants – Naturally dwarfed plants or artificially dwarfed plants Containers – drain holes, shallow, length 2/3 the height of the plant placed in it, earthy colors, simple form (round, square, rectangular), made of pottery. Tools – various types of pruning tools and wire

Dwarfing Plants Determining Plant Shape Initial Pruning Additional Pruning Wiring Root Pruning Placing the plant in the container Adding Potting Medium Watering

Care and Management of Bonsai Watering Location Fertilizing Repotting and training procedure

The End!