I always find these small trees a little pleasant and almost serene, they have an air of delicacy and a Zen atmosphere. The name “Bonsai” is a Japanese word meaning “tree in a pot”, but the term originally comes from the Chinese word “pun-sai” or “penjing”. In Chinese, “pen” means pot and “jing” means landscape or landscape. Bonsai trees are meant to be a miniature representation of nature, planted in decorative containers. When it comes to the Japanese art and science of bonsai, he uses masterful and painstaking pruning, training and maintenance techniques, creating a miniature version of a wild tree that is naturally realistic and beautiful.

Enthusiasts are sometimes skilled enough to deal with a collection of different designs, with many different styles they can be fashioned into, each with its own name.

Almost any tree or shrub can be made into bonsai, it is not a special type of dwarf tree. Specifically, bonsai is created from perennial tree or shrub species with woody stems that produce true branches and can be grown to stay small thanks to potted containment with crown and root pruning. In Japan, the Sandai-Shogun-no-matsu of the famous Palace of Tokyo refers to a type of white pine bonsai, which is believed to be over 500 years old. It is considered to be the oldest known and extant bonsai specimen in the world.

My husband had a bonsai tree years ago, he spent a lot of time with a pair of nail scissors cutting it and critically examining it from all angles and then I’m afraid I managed to get it. kill, shamefully because I hadn’t bothered to take the time to learn about his care.

I have now discovered (too late!) That the main cause of ‘bonsai death’ is underwatering – they have shallow roots and tend to dry out. They are picky plants and can just decide to die off quickly if not cared for properly. How to take care of it.

The delicate parts

Watering is the tricky part and should be watered when the top layer of soil seems dry. Depending on the type and size of the tree, as well as the type of soil used, they may need to be watered up to once a day, so rather than sticking to a routine, it is best to check frequently. You have to saturate the root system completely, to keep watering until the water escapes through the drainage holes below, and I think most bonsai come with a small tray underneath to collect the water. excess water.

Conversely, overwatering is just as bad and will cause leaves to turn yellow and small branches to wilt. The roots drown in water and are deprived of oxygen, which prevents further growth, the cause may simply be due to poorly drained soil. The best solution would therefore be to check it daily.

Another tricky part is shaping, sometimes the branches are wired to make them grow into the shape you want, and there are clubs and online courses for serious bonsai gardeners.

Where to put your bonsai? Some can be placed outdoors, depending on the type of tree – common species for bonsai are juniper, pine and spruce, and should be exposed to the seasons, much like their “adult” counterparts. . Included are deciduous trees that are shedding their leaves, including maple, elm, and ginko. Wherever you decide to display one, they don’t like direct sunlight, so that’s something to keep in mind. Indoor bonsai are generally a subtropical species that thrive in stable temperatures throughout the year. These include jade plants, Hawaiian umbrella trees, and ficuses.

So the tools are next. You can buy the cutest miniature tool sets, including special pairs of scissors, miniature rakes and shovels, tweezers – even mini watering cans – it’s up to your perfectionist, but mostly you can use things that you probably already have. – an old teaspoon maybe – and like I said before, the nail scissors worked for my husband!