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Create a Bonsai Garden

Jul 20

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

Cultivating bonsai trees can become a lifelong hobby.  Many people enjoy the peaceful art of shaping and growing these unique plants.  One of the latest trends is to use bonsai in your landscaping or as a focal point in your yard.  Creating a bonsai garden can be a rewarding experience that helps you to enjoy the beauty of creating something truly special and uniquely pleasing to the eye. Bonsai cultivation can take years of practice.  Many experts say that it can take years to learn how much water a specific bonsai needs.  So, you should probably expect to lose a few during the learning process.  Bonsai trees need to be grown in pots.  This makes them very vulnerable to dry compost.  You need to keep the soil moist, but not wet.  There are conflicting instructions on how much to water because every tree and every compost mixture are a little different.  As a general rule, you don’t want your bonsai to stay dry or wet for too long.  Let it dry before watering again.  In hot weather, this could mean watering twice a day, so be prepared to really take care of your bonsai once they are set. To turn a flower bed into a beautiful bonsai landscape, you will need to utilize stone, tree stumps or natural tables for the pots.  Simply placing them all on the ground can look boring.  Try to display each bonsai on a different level to give each one the attention it deserves.  Light colored rocks for background can help the interesting trunks and leaves pop out and catch the eye. Some bonsai species require more sun than others, so you will need to arrange them according to their requirements.  Or, better yet, purchase ones that require full sun for your sunny areas and shade loving bonsai for your shady areas.   You can bring your bonsai inside to prune and shape them or to get them out of the harsh sun or cold. Pruning of the leaves can be done anytime.  Use a leaf-cutting tool specifically made for bonsai trees.  You can get an inexpensive kit of starter tools to get into the hobby of bonsai cultivation.  In general, you want to prune as little as possible, only removing leaves that hide the trunk or disrupt the shape of the crown. To trim branches or limbs, you will have to wait until early spring when there is no longer a risk of frost.  Trim before any leaves start to bud.  Also at this time, you will need to use a root tool to comb out roots.  Trim the longest roots to keep the root ball shape that is flat at the bottom.  There is a root sealant that you can buy to seal off large roots.  Replace old compost and you’re ready for summer. Once the bonsai are on display, you will only need to occasionally prune leaves, water and feed.  Watering is easily done with a hose that sprays like rain.  Keep your hose on an automatic hose reelso that you do not take attention away from the beautiful bonsai by leaving your hose out between watering.  Enjoy your unique creation every day of the year.

Cultivating bonsai trees can become a lifelong hobby.  Many people enjoy the peaceful art of shaping and growing these unique plants.  One of the latest trends is to use bonsai in your landscaping or as a focal point in your yard.  Creating a bonsai garden can be a rewarding experience that helps you to enjoy the beauty of creating something truly special and uniquely pleasing to the eye.

Bonsai cultivation can take years of practice.  Many experts say that it can take years to learn how much water a specific bonsai needs.  So, you should probably expect to lose a few during the learning process.  Bonsai trees need to be grown in pots.  This makes them very vulnerable to dry compost.  You need to keep the soil moist, but not wet.  There are conflicting instructions on how much to water because every tree and every compost mixture are a little different.  As a general rule, you don’t want your bonsai to stay dry or wet for too long.  Let it dry before watering again.  In hot weather, this could mean watering twice a day, so be prepared to really take care of your bonsai once they are set.

To turn a flower bed into a beautiful bonsai landscape, you will need to utilize stone, tree stumps or natural tables for the pots.  Simply placing them all on the ground can look boring.  Try to display each bonsai on a different level to give each one the attention it deserves.  Light colored rocks for background can help the interesting trunks and leaves pop out and catch the eye.

Some bonsai species require more sun than others, so you will need to arrange them according to their requirements.  Or, better yet, purchase ones that require full sun for your sunny areas and shade loving bonsai for your shady areas.   You can bring your bonsai inside to prune and shape them or to get them out of the harsh sun or cold.

Pruning of the leaves can be done anytime.  Use a leaf-cutting tool specifically made for bonsai trees.  You can get an inexpensive kit of starter tools to get into the hobby of bonsai cultivation.  In general, you want to prune as little as possible, only removing leaves that hide the trunk or disrupt the shape of the crown.

To trim branches or limbs, you will have to wait until early spring when there is no longer a risk of frost.  Trim before any leaves start to bud.  Also at this time, you will need to use a root tool to comb out roots.  Trim the longest roots to keep the root ball shape that is flat at the bottom.  There is a root sealant that you can buy to seal off large roots.  Replace old compost and you’re ready for summer.

Once the bonsai are on display, you will only need to occasionally prune leaves, water and feed.  Watering is easily done with a hose that sprays like rain.  Keep your hose on an automatic hose reel so that you do not take attention away from the beautiful bonsai by leaving your hose out between watering.  Enjoy your unique creation every day of the year.

About the Author: Stacy Pessoney is an award winning author and writer of web content for many different web sites. She is well versed in many different areas, including gardening, hose reel, lawn care and landscaping.

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Do you Wear Bonsai Goggles ?

Jul 19

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

As I examine myself each morning in front of the mirror I continuously remind myself that in the bonsai world having short stubby limbs is considered to be desirable.

In fact, in the bonsai world I will only become more desirable as I age. The more wrinkles, gnarly growths and peculiarities I develop the more popular I will become. In fact the world may well be a better place if we all wore a set of bonsai goggles.

In much the same way that drinking a bottle of wine for some increases our perception of how attractive people are, bonsai goggles do the same. However the benefits manifest over a vastly wider spectrum of life than just your “love” life, at a fraction of the cost, and with greater health benefits.

When looking at yourself through your bonsai goggles your life will be transformed. No matter how old you are you’re still trendy. You become increasingly attractive to younger types who have embraced many elements of eastern culture.

You actually become good for the environment; providing a breath of fresh air for those around you. You become an exemplary water saver as you require only 1 cup of water per day to survive, and you provide people who live in small spaces with room to move whilst being stylish and easy on the eye.

Your husband or wife no longer drive you nuts, and you become that special companion that gets cared for daily . Just watch where you’re putting those branch pruners, however!

You are even given away as a gift and become that special companion to your partner’s friends no strings attached.

The most amazing thing about the world when viewed through bonsai goggles is that everyone finds a way to grow, to move forward, no matter what the circumstances might be. Nature has a habit of always finding a way. Bonsai trees will always grow no matter how inhibited it is by its surroundings.

Sometimes we forget that we already have all these elements within us. Luckily we now have bonsai goggles to remind us that we can grow and prosper no matter what our situation or surroundings may be.

With the use of bonsai goggles you will be able to view life positively and help you discover that the abundance and growth that nature displays are qualities that reside within us all.

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How to Make Your Bonsai Look Older

Jul 15

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

One of the most important aspects of your bonsai is the age. Not the actual age of your bonsai, but what age your bonsai appears to be. As far as aesthetics are concerned, it is important that your bonsai appears far more aged than it actually is. If you are able to create the appearance of a 500 year-old pine with a 5 year old bonsai, then you are surely well regarded and envied by the majority of your peers.

Andorra Juniper
Creative Commons License photo credit: ragesoss

When you attempt to age your bonsai you want it to have certain characteristics, such as: tight, fine foliage; bark with fractures; branches that are open with angular bends; and a domed (as opposed to pointed) crown. Starting with a bonsai plant that already has some or all of these attributes–like old yamadori–is the quickest way, but they have their drawbacks as well. You will have to perform heavy cutting and carving to hide the removal of the heavier branches and diminish the size. This is incredibly difficult to do well, and if done incorrectly, can never be rectified. The fact that new branches grown and trained by the bonsai artist always appear more juvenile, thus complicating the matter further.

There are some techniques you can use to advance to apparent age of our bonsai, though. Some do take more time than others to have an effect.

First you must make sure that you understand what is being referred to when describing the appearance of age in bonsai. These can be broken down into five main characteristics:

1. A domed crown

2. The poise of the branches

3. Angular branch ramification

4. Distinct, separated foliage ‘clouds’

5. Mature bark texture

THE BONSAI CROWN

When you look at trees that are hundreds of years old you should notice that they all carry a common trait: a domed crown. In order to create a domed crown for your bonsai you will need to dispose of the concept of “wiring a new leader”. The leader should have been grown and shaped while the trunk was being developed. Once the trunk is finished all thoughts of the leader are abandoned. The apex of your bonsai should now be thought of as an apical, central branch. It should be constructed the same as any other branch, however, the limb supporting the apical branch structure will approach from below instead of from a side.

BONSAI BRANCH POISE

The principles of branch positioning are relatively easy to follow, but often it is compromised in the beginning as you rush for a finished image. The old broadleaved branches are generally horizontal and old conifer branches tend to sweep downward–in the simplified world of bonsai. You must remember that arching branches will not convey the impression of age. Most artist do not realize this until years later when the branches have set and are to thick to change. The key to bonsai branch poise is the get the branches correct at the outset.

ANGULAR BRANCH RAMIFICATION

Some bonsai have fine ramification and some bonsai have really fine ramification. A broom style bonsai could have millions of well-packed, miniature shoots, look well-developed and mature, but never appear ancient. It just is not that kind of image. So, ramification by itself will not give the bonsai a look of age, but the way the branches ramify does. Dramatic taper, sharp angles, switch-backs, these are all indicative of bonsai age. Restricting short foliage bearing shoots to the periferal areas, lacking thin laterals growing from the inner portion of the limbs, and short distances between the ends and forks also contribute. Old trees do not have branches forming a triangular framework, nor do they have pointed apices. These branches should be cut back at the earliest opportunity. Every time you prune or wire your bonsai you should consider these points. No matter what age or stage of development your bonsai is in, there are always opportunities to improve.

FOLIAGE CLOUDS

Foliage on a mature bonsai can become one solid mass without proper attendance. As trees reach an older age, the foliage masses will become more isolated and sparse. The individual “clouds” will start to fragment, seeming to consist of multiple smaller clouds. Take the time to study your well developed and more established bonsai. Do you think removing one or two branches, or even thinning out the clouds to fragment them will improve both the image and apparent age of your bonsai?

BARK TEXTURE

The most precious feature of any bonsai is undeniably mature textured bark. Without it, few bonsai can appear mature. There are some exceptions such as acers. taxus, fagus, etc., because the bark stays smooth throughout the tree’s life. Most species, however, will create a characteristic mature bark as they mature, getting a plated or fissured texture. Some, like pseudocydonia and platanus have bark that flakes in patches revealing shades of pink, buff, and green. Betula and most prunus species all their bark to peel, displaying many colorful layers.

Jason Dempsey is an avid bonsai enthusiast and artist. To learn more about using the internet to help you flourish your bonsai collection feel free to visit http://www.BonsaiMastery.com

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An Overview of the Art of Bonsai

Jul 15

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

IMG_1542
Creative Commons License photo credit: Sean K.

Bonsai, the artistic representation of a natural tree, first appeared in China over a thousand years ago on a very basic scale known as “pun-sai”. The Japanese have been recorded to adopt and refine the art to an extent not yet approached in China. The Japanese today regard bonsai as a symbol of their culture and ideals.

On its arrival in the western world, the art of bonsai has been warmly welcomed and embraced as a rewarding past time or hobby. It is said to allow a greater understanding and being with nature in addition to enhancing our gardens.

The five basic bonsai styles are formal upright, informal upright, slanting (or windswept), semi-cascade and cascade. All have their own individual beauty and serenity.

A tree with a style such as formal upright occurs when it has grown in the open under perfect conditions. The most important requirement for this style is that the trunk should be perfectly straight, tapering naturally and evenly from base to apex. The branches should be symmetrically spaced so that they are balanced when viewed from any direction. It is quite a demanding style to achieve. Junipers, pines, and spruces are great to try and grow in the formal upright style.

In an informal upright bonsai the trunk should slightly bend to the right or left – but never towards the viewer. This applies to all types of bonsai. Neither the trunk nor branches should be pointing towards the viewer when the bonsai is viewed from the front. For this style, try a Japanese maple, Trident maple, or almost any conifer and ornamental tree.

Trees that slant naturally occur as a result of buff setting winds or deep shade during early development. Whether curved or straight, the whole trunk leans at a definite angle. The stronger roots grow out on the side, away from the angle of the trunk lean, to support the weight. Almost any type of tree will work well with this style.

The growing tip of a cascade bonsai reaches below the base of a container. The trunk has a natural taper and gives the impression of the forces of nature pulling against the forces of gravity. Branches appear to be seeking the light. The winding main trunk is reminiscent of a stream meandering down the side of a mountain. There are many types of trees that can be used to achieve a cascading bonsai. The key here is to make sure the tree isn’t naturally straight and upright.

The tip of a semi-cascade, like the cascade, projects over the rim of the container, but does not drop below its base. The style occurs in nature when trees grow on cliffs or overhang water. The angle of the trunk in this bonsai is not precise, as long as the effect is strongly horizontal, even if the plant grows well below the level of the pot rim. Any exposed roots should balance the trunk. Flowering cherry trees, cedars, and junipers work very well in this style of bonsai. Many people feel this style of bonsai is the epitome of beauty in the art.

It is important for you to remember, as a beginner, that no single bonsai style is the “right” style. More than anything else you should not try to train a bonsai to grow in a style it is not accustomed to. Study the natural growth patterns of the tree you are going to grow and enhance on the pattern nature gave it.

Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://bonsaitree.infobay.ws/
He is an internet entrepreneur who helps the average user better understand the workings of internet in addition to providing high quality content on selected topics. This website was created to help internet users get a better insight into the art of bonsai.

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Growing Bonsai Trees

Jul 15

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

The essentials.
The first thing you should decide when considering growing Bonsai Trees is what type of tree you want to grow. The type of tree you want will determine not only the tree you should buy but also the design of pot and the types of tools you may require, and of course you should have the knowledge of growing the particular type of Bonsai tree that you want. Not all Bonsai trees demand the same attention. For instance draping trees will need very different pruning to a conifer and so you should have the knowledge to grow exactly what type of tree you want.
After this, it’s time to prepare yourself; you will need the appropriate tools and one good pot at the very least.
Tools.
The tools you will need include various sizes of wire and wire cutters, a small and large pair of scissors, a small pair of sharp garden shears and larger pair of pruners to cut through the thick branches.
Bonsai or not Bonsai?
Many places now sell Bonsai that are ready trained and have grown into healthy but juvenile Bonsai. As long as you are careful to pick a healthy and good looking tree then care, attention and an eye for detail means you will be able to buy a partially grown Bonsai and help it grow into a perfect full blown Bonsai. However, should you decide to buy a full grown tree or plant, then it is a good idea to visit the nurseries that stock trained Bonsai. This way you can get an idea for what type of tree you want and how they should look. It can be very difficult to see past the shape the tree already has, but remember when you want to train a tree to become your Bonsai project you will be cutting most of the branches and foliage away so it will look very dissimilar to how you first see it. You need to have good vision for this method.
Planting.
You can buy a Bonsai pot from virtually any plant shop, but make sure it has adequate drainage and preferably has little feet on it to allow the water to drain away and also allow a good level of airflow. Using a soil consisting of half organic matter and half grit will allow a good level of drainage while still giving the plant the anchorage it will need in it’s shallow pot.
Now cover the drainage holes in the bottom of your pot with a wire screen in order to prevent the soil running out. Now place a layer of grit down followed by the Bonsai soil. Now you should shape your Bonsai how you want it. Place the wire around the branches in a spiral shape, and gently bend the branches to the exact shape you want them to grow in. Be careful, though, not to break or snap any of the branches you shape. Next remove as much of the soil from the root ball as you can but be sure to leave as many of the fine feeder roots as possible and then plant your Bonsai into the pot you have prepared.

Bonsai HQ for lots of information about looking after your bonsai.

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Fighting Bonsai Disease and Damage

Jul 15

Posted by Juni in Juniper Bonsai Care | No Comments

Bonsai have a tendency to decay and are susceptible to damages. For this reason, you must learn all the rules about treating the plant for pests and diseases. This requires you to be versed in recognizing the symptoms of an endangered plant. Decay and damage comes from lack of care, as well as from red spider mites, scale insects, and mealy bugs, aphids, which include the greenfly, gall aphid, and the black fly. Wooly aphids also attack bonsai as well as goat moth, leopard moth, geometer moths, small ermine moths, etc.

Spider mites include the web-forming tetranychus and the glasshouse reds. The greenhouse mites and the red spiders often feast at the underside of bonsai or other plants, especially at the leaves. The spider mites and greenhouse will chew at the foliage as well. If the spiders or mites gnaw at the leaves, you will notice marks, patterns, or irregular patterns, which turn yellow, or silver-gray. It depends on how severe the pests have attacked the bonsai. The tree may fade away if you do not treat immediately. The web-formers create webs, which you will find on the trees. To eliminate the problem and save your bonsai spray the plant/foliage with insecticides. You need to spray the undersides. Use acaricides immediately if you notice mild symptoms. You can use defensive action at the start of spring, otherwise use a selection of acaricides so that the pests do not adapt to the chemicals.

Red mites or the red spiders will feast on needles. This will cause the needles to show signs of damage. The plant will change from its natural color, changing to reddish-brown, yellow, etc. The needles will finally fall off the plant if you do not treat. The spiders will produce a matted web between the branches. This will cause the carbohydrates to slow production, since light and chlorophyll is reduced, i.e. the process of plants ability to produce basic carbohydrates produced from carbon dioxide, hydrogen, etc are reduced. The plant will not have the energy produced from photosynthesis processes to continue its growth and produce macrobiotic cellular pigments that absorb from radiant sources.

To treat your bonsai you will need to consider the plants. If you produce conifer and deciduous trees you can wait until the climate is warm and dry the plant. Continue treatment by cutting and destroying any branches that have been severed. Once the bonsai starts its new growth (usually near the end of winter), you can spray the bonsai with tar oil. Tar oil is a thick black substance, which is obtained from destructive distillation process and extracted from macrobiotic fluids. (E.g. coal or wood) Spray the tar oil with caution. Tar oil will destroy the female reproductive cells, or eggs. As the spring nears, use methodical acaricides and spray the bonsai. You will need to spray the bonsai again in the summer with distinctive acaricides. You should water your bonsai munificently in the summer and vapor the foliage methodically.

The deciduous trees will show signs of damage, such as hibernated eggs, which are often found on the branches. At the bark, you may notice red patches. During spring, the mites may leave holes in the leaves. You will find the mites predominantly at the underneath of the leaves. Mites and spiders often drop eggs on confers in cracks, especially at the bark. The eggs are also deposited at the foundation of the plant needles. Geometer moths leave trails on foliage. The pests will feast on foliage and leave perforations in the sprouts, or buds. Geometers will also leave silky web trails in the soil or at the foliage. To treat the problem sprays the bonsai at the last months of winter with oil-based solutions. The oils will obliterate the eggs. Once spring arrives, treat the plant with parathion-based solutions made by chemical processes, or use lindane

Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://bonsai.infobay.ws/
Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website that provides high quality content on selected subjects. This website was created to help bonsai enthusiasts in their quest of growing bonsai plants.

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