Preparation Techniques

Bonsai is a three visual dimensional growing art form.

Bonsai opportunities are endless, the limitation is your own imagination. You can master all the horticultural knowledge and practical techniques, the art of bonsai is a visual discipline. It is all about forming a flawless, miniature image of a tree in its natural setting, tied up with some bonsai rules. Bonsai is a sort of meditation, a brain-purifying machine.

Basic Criteria for Bonsai.

The Trunk.

The trunk is the core of the tree. The trunk starting at the base should flare into the roots displayed on the surface. The truck should taper as it progresses upwards. Once you have a good well-established trunk you can grow your own perfect Bonsai. The trunk will indicate the style of your tree and will lead your design.

Young trees are more or less equally columnar due to unrestrained growth. Trunks that taper indicate age. The proportional association between the space below the lowest branch and the total height of the tree is also important. The lowest branch should be between a quarter and one-third of the total height. A notable exception to this principle is the Literati Style.

A Note

Most Mame Bonsai are around 5cm tall, like this Juniper in the middle. Mame literally means “Bean” in Japanese. Hinoki and Shinpaku seedlings, to be styled and trained as Mame Bonsai. One of the seedlings is placed in a tiny Bonsai pot