I love bonsai. When I checked the Oxford Dictionary’s meaning of a bonsai plant, it simply stated: an artificially dwarf potted tree or shrub.
Did readers notice I didn’t Google? I find the dictionary gives more precise answers and, in the plant world, species are different all over the world and often named differently.
Back to bonsai, if it only were so simple – my personal venture into growing bonsai for pleasure and as a challenge was abruptly brought to a halt by a week of 38 to 40-degree temperatures!
What did I do? It only takes one day in that kind of neglect to end their life span.
Also, fertilising is of premium importance, as well as a slow release food. They also require a foliant fertiliser, such as Flourish, once a fortnight, making it weaker than normal solutions.
According to Japanese teaching, the word bonsai means planted in a container. The Western world took some time to discover what the Chinese and Japanese tree lovers have known for centuries – that there is a way to dwarf and train giant forest trees, so they grow gracefully and in perfect health, whilst never exceeding a small height. Keeping a living plant alive in a restricted container is only the most elementary introduction to the art of bonsai. To create a real bonsai you prune, coax and train the tree into a beautiful but natural shape.
A couple of hints: bonsai must be grown in containers that will control the dwarfing process – obviously shallow pots restrict root growth. Most importantly, bonsai are not house plants, they can be taken inside for brief periods.
If you wish to cultivate bonsai, I’d suggest that an exchange with other bonsai lovers, who have an understanding of this beautiful art, will help.
Note: This weekend, the Bonsai Society is holding its annual show at Charlestown Bowling Club. It begins on Friday from 1pm to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Not to be missed – you will see some amazing plants.
This week
- A little rain encouraged lawn lovers to fertilise, but make sure the fertiliser has dissolved or it will burn.
- Dig out those tired pansies and fertilise with cow manure, ready to plant in one week’s time – Christmas is coming!
- Watch for budworm on roses, this is when a flower opens half eaten – with Carbaryl every 10 days until beaten. Remember to spray when bees have gone to bed.
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