Chinese Bonsai Plants

Chinese Bonsai Plants
In Japan, the word bonsai means  “ planted in a container”. Bonsai is basically a method by which you grow, trim and care for a tree , so as to miniaturize it and convert it into an old but natural looking tree. These bonsai creations have evolved through the ages and has become an art.

This art originally originated from China , even if the word “bonsai” is Japanese. The word was derived from the Chinese word “pun-sai”;which is the method of growing dwarf trees in containers , practiced in the ancient time of 1000 BC. In earlier times only the elite indulged in and practiced the art of making pun-sai . And they were distributed all over the region as gifts. With Japan’s adoption of many cultural trademarks of China – bonsai was also taken up, introduced to Japan during the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333) by means of Zen Buddhism – which at this time was rapidly spreading around Asia. It was only after the Kamakura period when the Japanese mimicked the idea of the Chinese pun-sai.  The Japanese developed the art to such an extent that their styles, tools and techniques became famous in Asia itself. It was only in the recent period of 1900 that this art spread outside of Asia as well.

 
Many styles have been developed in bonsai, mostly which resemble the natural circumstances. These are to some extent open to creativity an personal interpretation. These are basically used to understand the bonsai shapes so that they are easy to train later.
CHINESE BONSAI PLANT STYLES:
1.    Hokidachi
2.    Chokkan
3.    Moyogi
4.    Shakkan
5.    Kengai
6.    Han-Kengai
7.    Bunjingi
8.    Fukinagashi
9.    Sokan
10.    Kabudachi
11.    Yose-ue
12.    Seki-joju
13.    Ishisuki
14.    Ikadabuki
15.    Sharimiki
 
Bonsai trees are made to look like old and miniatured form of real live trees. There is a specific manner in which these propagated. These can be grown as well as they can be bought from the market.
Chinese Bonsai plants  can be propagated from cuttings of trees, from seedlings, collecting trees , nursery stock , buying bonsai , air layering , grafting.

Many a times there is a misconception about these bonsai plants, that they are originally dwarf plants. Whereas they are normal plants which are brought up in a specialized manner so as to keep their growth in control that is miniaturized It involves basic steps like wiring, pruning, and also advanced techniques like making Shari and Jin on the trees.
CHINESE BONSAI PLANT TRAINING INCLUDES:
1.     Pruning
2.     Wiring
3.     Defoliation
4.     Deadwood
5.     Root flare
6.     Trunk
7.     Rock planting
8.     Forest planting
9.     Tools & materials.

It is a misconception that caring for bonsai plants is very difficult. It is actually quite simple. The only thing to be kept in mind is that, the plants are potted in small containers, so there have to be certain precautions to be taken while fertilizing, watering, repotting your trees.
 
The Chinese Bonsai Plants’ care should be taken by watering, pruning, fertilizing, repotting, choosing a pot, getting rid of pests and diseases, placement, overwintering.

Some  tools that are often used in Chinese bonsai plant creation are concave and spherical cutters,Shear scissors, Jin pliers, trunk splitter, root cutter,wire cutters, wire removers, knob cutters, pruning compound,saws, soil sieves,transplanting tools, tweezers, etc.