Botany may not offer the same activity as playing a sport or the mental strain of playing an instrument, but has its own set of required skills that develops with the practitioner. Particularly, growing a bonsai tree offers a unique experience, not achieved by many other activities, which may surprise many while it also offers several rewards, from money to self satisfaction. While growing a miniature tree requires patience and consistent care, depending on the tree, the challenge also involves problem solving skills, technique and great attention to detail.
But, before considering the logistics, why would one grow a bonsai in the first place? First of all, a major incentive may be for money. Bonsais can fetch a high price, in the thousands per tree if they have been grown well. What better decoration to flaunt wealth as a table centerpiece than a live miniature, blooming cherry blossom? However, other reasons exist too, as providing care for a tree, similar in many ways to a pet, can be inherently rewarding and offer a sense of purpose and peace.“I like taking care of a bonsai because I find it very soothing…I have grown mine from seed and make sure to check for things like root rot every two weeks,” stated junior Piper Zuniga.
If one is considering taking on this small green pet, they must consider the type of tree they would like to care for. While members of the bonsai community have lively debates of indoors versus outdoors growth, a good rule of thumb for most trees is that outside is best, but inside is acceptable, especially with a growing light. One of the most intriguing things about bonsai is that, contrary to common belief, bonsais are not a specific species of tree. Any tree can become a bonsai, the key to keeping it tiny is the pot to keep the roots small and the various techniques used for care. Anyone could house anything from a live, grand Weeping Willow or a towering Red Wood in pigmy size.
“I think my dad grows a bonsai tree and that thing has been there for as long as I remember so at least like six to eight years,” commented junior Jordan Oh.
Once the botanist has done their research on their desired tree’s temperature, humidity and environmental preferences, they may proceed. Normally, at least two of these three conditions must be met to have a healthy bonsai tree. One way to be sure a bonsai fits well with its environment is to choose a tree that is already native to where it will live. After purchasing the desired seed, sapling or grown figure, the task of shaping the tree comes next.
Popular techniques involve wiring, pinching, pruning and utilizing sacrifice branches, among others. For example, if one desires for their Juniper Precombance Nana to have a gentle curl or spiral to it, wiring is a good first step if there is already adequate growth. In order to shape the tree, simply wrap bonsai wire around it, then bend the tree’s shape into a desired position. Afterward, leave the wiring on for an amount of time from a month up to a year for the tree to hold its shape.
However, if there is not yet enough growth to majestically shape a half-bald tree, pinching and pruning can help. Different trees respond in different ways to these practices, so doing research is important. Pinching involves grasping the tip of a tree’s branch and pinching it off. This practice will halt growth in most trees, causing back budding, where additional branches will grow from just before the pinch, resulting in a denser, more full part of the canopy. Pruning works in a similar way, but is for entirely illuminating a section of the tree to prompt the bonsai’s energy to grow from a different location on the tree instead of the undesired limb. Sacrifice branches are used in this method for when a branch is allowed to grow but with the intention of cutting it in order to thicken the base of the tree below the branch to provide greater support for future growth.
One of the main reasons to apply the techniques of pruning, and pinching can also be to make the tree trunk thicker. The artistic aspect of bonsai trees is an attempt to replicate the image of an old ancient tree into a miniature form. An essential part of this is to make sure the trunk tapers. The tapering and thickness of a trunk’s base truly sells the image of a miniature old tree rather than just a young shrub. Attempting to create a larger trunk will take great amounts of time and will require sacrifice branches. Due to this, beginners tend to be hesitant of cutting off too much of the tree. However, mass pruning will in the end result in the best looking bonsai once a few years have passed.
Whether it is for self satisfaction or financial gain, growing bonsais is a serene artform that nearly anyone can pick up with will and patience. While they may be hard to find in a local market, many places online sell these trees from seedlings to nearly full grown, allowing for anyone to truly select the tree they want.