Bonsai tree

Bonsai tree

Bonsai is the Japanese form of growing miniature trees in a container. The word Bonsai is derived from Japanese word 'bon' which means a tray like shallow pot and 'sai' means plant. So, Bonsai trees are grown in the shallow or tray like containers so that the growth is checked or dwarfed but the plant is not starved. Basically, Bonsai tree is the dwarf form of the actual tree. People might be misguided by the word dwarf, so always remember for bonsai culture, genetically small plants are not required however bonsai trees are grown from regular stock and seeds. So, for dwarfing, operations like training, pruning, defoliation etc are practiced.

Bonsai tree

Bonsai tree

The bonsai tree differ from a pot plant where either the foliage or the flower s of main focus, but here the artistic look of the plant in the miniature form shall be maintained for many years. The practice of making bonsai was started from 14th centuries, as per the records, and in different time periods it was started is different countries. Now, this art is well known and practiced in many countries of the world. Bonsai culture is an art, just like music, paintings, dancing etc. Today, after reading this blog, you knew about Bonsai and you cannot just start making Bonsai from tomorrow. It is not the one day thing, but a result of patience and perseverance. Just like other art forms, there are some basic things in bonsai making you ought to know.' Bonsai is an art and art is not my cup of tea, so, let's try something else.' No, don't let these words scare you off. you are also capable of making bonsai, but yes, it requires patience and practice.

How do you make a bonsai!

There are three simple techniques; cultivation, styling and care. So, in bonsai making the first thing or step is to acquire a plant. For this you can either buy a pre-bonsai from Nurseries and online stores or grow your own plant. If you are like why not give a try, it will be a good time pass then go to the first option, but if you are really into Bonsai making, I recommend second option. But, its a long process and requires about 3-5 years to give a style. For this you can cultivate using seeds or cuttings.  Are all trees suitable for making a bonsai? What about indoor and outdoor bonsai? These are the basic questions arising in the process. All the trees are not suitable for making bonsai, there are certain criteria for a plant to be suitable in making a bonsai. And yes, there are there are different plants for indoor and outdoor bonsai, indoor bonsai will limit your options. Let's see what kind of plants are suitable for making a bonsai:

•  Plant should be hardy in nature.
• Plant should well respond to training and pruning operations.
• Plant with strong and thick trunk at the ground level gives good natural appearance.
• Plant should stand rigorous growth habit in shallow container.
• Plant with seasonal  variations in growth pattern and flowering.

Plants like Ficus sps. , rubber plant, Thuja, Pine, Mangifera indica, Putranjiva roxburgi, Callistemon lanceolatus, bamboos etc can be used to make a bonsai. Similarly, there are certain materials that are needed in making a bonsai: bonsai soil, wires, scissors, pilers, stick, net, pot, green moss and most importantly the plant.

There is a saying:

The object is not to make the tree look like a bonsai, but to make the bonsai look like a tree.

After we have bought or cultivated a tree, it's time to give shape and style to the tree. The main art is in giving a proper shape or style to the plants. So the basic tools for styling are pruning and wiring. So being under the principles of bonsai preparation; miniaturization, proportion among elements, asymmetry and no trace of the artist, you have to give a artistic style to your bonsai. Pruning is the crucial  operation in dwarfing and shaping to the plant. Basically, Pruning means cutting or removing of the plants unwanted twigs, leaves or branches. Pruning is normally done is summer and spring season. Plants are like their child to  the artist, so make sure you make a good cut without giving wound to the plant. Simple pruning techniques includes; if two branches occur at same eight ,remove one, remove branches with unnatural turns and twist etc. Wiring is another important practice in giving the desired shape to the plant. An aluminium or a copper wire can be used in bending and shaping the plant. You can keep the wire for about one year and remove the wire before they make any scar in the branches. Always remember, plants are like your children, so handle them carefully.

Some styles of Bonsai

Trees and shrubs are commonly used for making bonsai which require temperature, humidity and sunlight as in native form. Care of the bonsai is the most crucial part because if the bonsai is not properly cared then all the toil and moil will be pointless. Watering, fertilization, pruning, repotting, placement etc are the factors should be considered during care and management. Watering depends on the soil type, plant species, sunlight and the pot size. The proper frequency of watering should be maintained , else over as well as under watering may leads to the death of plant. Timely potting and repotting of the plant is necessary and for that the proper soil mixture should be used. Fertilization is another factor that should be considered. Since the plants are in small  pots and less space so nutrient availability is less. That's why timely fertilization is require, however the rate depends on the tree species or the form of fertilization. Placement of the bonsai is must. You should decide at the beginning, either  you need indoor plant or outdoor. As I have said earlier, identify the plant and place in the proper location. And during different seasons, different requirements are required.

Impact of covid-19 on food and agriculture in Nepal

Bonsai tree in Nepal

The practice of making bonsai is  not much popular in Nepal. Only few people know and practice bonsai making as compared to other parts of the world. There are few nurseries and people who are practicing bonsai tree culture. The practice of Bonsai making was first brought by an Army Officer, Late Cornel Chet Bahadur Bista, in Nepal. He practiced in a peepal plant and the best part is that bonsai tree is still alive and is under the caring of his grandson Keshar Bahadur Bista. This is the epitome of why Bonsai is called 'Grandfather's Property'. With the purpose of promoting the Bonsai culture in Nepal, an organisation, Nepal Bonsai Conservaton Society was established in 16th April 2004. So, April 16 is also celebrated as Bonsai day. But in recent time people are seem to be much interested in Bonsai. Some firms are even doing great professionally. As a student of Agriculture science, I feel that the bonsai culture should be promoted in Nepal. For that we have to enlighten people and i guess as the student of Agriculture science it's our responsibility. Surplus, the medias are far more better media to promote it here in Nepal. And I don't think i have to say 'how to' to the medias.

According to Japanese tradition, the bonsai represents the three virtues or shin-zen-bi, which translates into truth, goodness and beauty.

So, who wouldn't want those three things inside their house; even in their room. I, personally, adore the Bonsai much. I am even practicing in few plants. I learnt bonsai culture at my University. I think it has huge scope even if your are trying to persuade it as profession. So if you want to learn there are so many tutorials in YouTube and even online courses. It is a beautiful form of art which requires toil and moil.

Let's see some more Bonsai trees:

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