Discover Bonsai

Literally translated as “plant in a tray”, the ancient art and horticulture that is bonsai is commonly assumed to be a uniquely Japanese tradition, one that has since been studied and appreciated by Western culture. However, although bonsai is strongly identified with the Japanese and came into recognition because of their stylistic renderings, bonsai actually originated in China, where it is still very much practiced today and where it goes by the name “pen-jing”.

Success in bonsai is measured by how well one can produce a miniaturized tree that reflects the beauty and strength of its full-grown counterparts, and, preferably, appears to be of some age. This is achieved through the use of strategic pruning, training and wiring, all the while remembering, though, that the tree should not seem to have been manipulated by anything other than Mother Nature.

It is important to note that bonsai is as much about the pot as it is the tree. As such, it is essential that the tree and its pot be a visually harmonious combination of size, color, texture, etc. A beautiful description of a bonsai is that it is “heaven and earth in one container”. This is due to the fact that the roots of a bonsai tree are independent of the earth, but remain a part of nature.

The off-center placement of a tree when potting it is not only done for aesthetic effect, but also because the center is believed to be the joining place of heaven and earth and, thus, should remain unoccupied by anything else.

It should also be pointed out that there is nothing cruel about the treatment of trees when practicing bonsai. For although they are small in size, they are nourished and nurtured under the same conditions as ordinary trees. They are not genetically-dwarfed plants. In fact, were they not constantly pruned, shaped and potted, most bonsai plants would have the same potential for growth as any other. If one is prepared to provide time, patience and attention, bonsai trees can thrive for many, many years. However, they do require much care and cannot last without it.