In the field of plant care, bonsai is the state of the art. It represents a technique perfected through hundreds of years of development and loving dedication. Bonsai, as a form of art, is the miracle of having a living portrait of the wilds, in all its awe-inspiring, natural beauty, right in our own homes.
Although dwarfing trees was first developed in China in the 11th century, it was actually in Japan where it became really popular. In the ancient Japanese religion, caring for plants and maintaining their beauty was thought of as an important, soul-enriching activity. But people lived in small houses, with no space for elaborate gardens where this spiritual exercise could be practiced. So the Japanese of old adopted this most practical yet wondrous art, developed it to further perfection and gave us its present name - bonsai (meaning "tree in a pot").
Bonsai growers and retailers in New York believe that bonsai is - and for the same reason - the answer for plant-loving city dwellers in the United States. In a small room, any touch of nature is appreciated. A bonsai garden very appropriately adds that touch of nature and fits in a small space, as well.
Whether you decide to grow your own bonsai or buy the professionally "trained" plants, here are a few important tips on how to keep them healthy and vibrant the whole year round. First and foremost is, of course, regular watering. Bonsai comes in small containers; if it goes dry, it goes very dry. This can cause great damage. Watering at least three times a week in summer or twice a week in winter should be sufficient. But see to it that watering is thorough. It is most advisable to immerse the pot in water and then allow it to drain completely. Remember, keep your bonsai moist but not too wet.
Secondly, know what type of tree or shrub your bonsai is. Different types of plants need light in varying degrees and some even need a "wintering" process. Like bears and other animals that live in cold climates, some trees hibernate during the winter months. This rest-cycle is needed for regaining strength in preparation for the highly active cycles of spring and summer.
In the United States, there are mainly three types of trees
commonly used for creating bonsai: the temperate evergreen,
the hardy evergreen, and the subtropicals.
Temperate evergreens are the junipers, (hinoki)
cypress, cedars, boxwoods and azaleas. Temperates are great for
growing indoors. They are not too demanding in terms of
light and can be grown with artificial "grow-light"
bulbs. This type, however, do require a little wintering process.
For at least two months each year, temperate evergreens should
be exposed to a temperature of 60 degrees fahrenheit (15 degrees
centigrade) or lower to trigger off the rest cycle. It is quite
simple. Just take them outdoors, in a yard, terrace or
even a window ledge, when temperature drops to below 60 degrees.
Hardy evergreens, on the other hand, like the pine trees and other desiduous plants, need plenty of light. They must also live outside in the winter. These plants, as their name suggests, are so hardy that the wintering cycle will only start when the temperature drops to 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) or lower. A word of caution, though, for wintering bonsai out-of-doors: where winter is severe, the soil can freeze and the container break. This, again, can cause a great deal of damage to the plant. It is, therefore, very important to cover the pot with a "cold frame" or other protective device. One simple method would be to put the pot in a wooden or styrofor box and fill it in with mulch (dried barks) or peat moss. Be sure that the pot (not including the plant, please!) is completely surrounded - top, bottom, and sides - with this insulating material.
On account of the added wintering procedure associated with the evergreens, some bonsai afficionados believe that the most significant thing lately in American bonsai history is the development of many subtropical species. Among the more popular ones are the common ficus, citrus, serissa (snow rose), various palm trees, brush cherry, gardenia, and the like. Subtropicals thrive best in plenty of sunshine; they, after all, come from a hot, sunny climate. But, fortunately, they also respond to artificial grow-lights. And they need no wintering, at all. Hence, subtropicals are undoubtedly the logical choice for indoor growing in American city homes. With little or no concern about wintering and placement (e.g. near sunlight), the room decor is able to conform to other important aesthetic considerations, rather than where plants can get sunshine.
If you have just planted your bonsai, or recently purchased it from a professional, these simple care procedures are fine for another two to four years. That's about how much time it takes for the roots to crowd the pot. Check for this by looking at the bottom of the pot. If roots are already creeping out of the drain hole, it is said to be "root-bound" and trimming the roots is now required. This is a very tricky procedure. Consult the professionals or read up on the best method of doing this to safeguard the health and continued long-life of the plant.
In the meantime, visit your bonsai everyday. The very act of getting close to and breathing around your mini-tree gives it a zesty and healthy look. Every now and then, pinch or massage the trunk and mature branches. This results in wrinkles and gnarls that give the tree an added look of great age. Prune the leaves only when their growth begins to distort the desired form of the tree.
A bonsai, if properly cared for can live a very long time. In Japan, where this is a national hobby, some specimens are hundreds of years old, handed down from one generation to another. Those are the true masterpieces. So take a good care of your bonsai. Your future grandchildren, probably even great grandchildren, may very truly appreciate it, continue to care for it and pass it on as a priceless family heirloom.