The tiniest trees – enjoy the beauty of the ancient art of bonsai
12/6/2019
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Adorable bonsai trees are not just miracles – they are a result of hard work and hundreds of hours of care. Let's take a look at the most wonderful examples of this ancient Asian art and learn a little more about it.
The ultimate goal of this Japanese art form is to cultivate, in containers, small trees that look exactly like full size trees
'Bonsai' literally means 'tray planting'
Bonsai originated in Japan in the 6th century from the Chinese practice of penjing, which is very similar to bonsai, but allows more "wild-looking" trees
Bonsai reached the highest level of expertise only in the 14th century
Any tree species can be used to grow a bonsai – they are not genetically dwarfed plants
To keep such a tree small, one needs to cut and reshape its branches and roots all the time
Some tree species are more popular for bonsai due to their small leaves and needles
Anyway, professional bonsai artists sometimes choose species with large leaves on purpose – it complicates the whole process and makes it more interesting
To keep the leaves small, most bonsai artists cut the largest ones off (not disturbing the stem)
Bonsai trees can live just as long as full sized trees, but they need constant care – otherwise they just grow wild and spread out of containers
This bonsai is about 120 years old:
And the oldest one, the Ficus retusa Linn, is now found at the Crespi Bonsai Museum in Italy. It's more than 1,000 years old
There are many styles of bonsai. Cascade-style conifer is in the picture:
Flowers and fruits can also grow on bonsai trees. Popular species with fruits include fig, crabapple, lemon, orange, mulberry and cherry
The smallest bonsai trees are usually about 1 to 3 inches tall (3 to 8 cm)
The most expensive bonsai tree was sold in Japan for $1.3 million
Which tree did you like the most? Would you like to try growing a bonsai tree yourself?
We are waiting for your comments!
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26 Comments
JRW
What a beautiful set of bonsais shown.
They take time and care to produce and maintain.
I was given one many years ago, but didn't feel I was doing it justice. And was happy to give it to a friend's brother who had a few others. He occasionally invites me for coffee and proudly shows me 'my' tree. I'm sure that 'my' tree thanks me for finding it a better home.
werma
I particularly love the floral types.
Robert Mookerdum
There are naturally growing Bonsai trees found on mountains at high altitude where a tree which has taken root which is naturally trimmed by the extreme weather conditions as well as lack of nutrients for the roots.
Sandra Ruddock
wish i had the skill to do this art, beautiful
lmoores
Lots of patience needed here.
Jim Johnson
Amazing art and skill. I made several attempts but did not have the skill or patience.
Beautiful trees
Sucheta Sanyal
i would really like to learn to learn how to make bonsai. can you learn from books or do you have to have class with somebody(on line or otherwise)?
antonioreyes
Skill, patience, talent. And plenty of time on your hands.
Lbow
Rave Cooper, wow haters are gonna hate.
Vimala Padmaraj
TO GROW A COCONUT TREE IN BONSAI WILL BE REALLY CHALLENGING, IF POSSIBLE.
Ann P. Weir-Cengarle
They are beautiful!
Don Racette
Janice Turkovich Stewart But again none as beautiful as you.
Patricia Holt
I wish I had the talent and patience for this.
Louis Michael Durocher,
Very beautiful, thanks for sharing with us!!!
billysmom
I can grow any kind of plant OUTSIDE, but house plants just don't make it around me. I don't know why, I try to follow all the instructions for their care, but nope, it's not to be. My yard is beautiful though. In the summer.
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