9 Trees that Make Good Bonsai Specimens
- Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
- Pine (Pinus spp.)
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
- Cedar (Cedrus spp.)
- Ginseng Ficus (Ficus retusa)
- Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
- Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria afra)
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
What trees can be grown into a bonsai tree?
What are the best indoor bonsai trees for beginners?
- Fukien Tea Tree Bonsai: This Fukien Tea is a low-growing, slow-growing evergreen shrub native to South China. ...
- Dwarf Jade Bonsai Tree: Another tree that falls into the best bonsai tree for beginners indoor is the Dwarf Jade Bonsai. ...
- Portulacaria Afra, aka: Porkbush Bonsai Tree. ...
- Ginseng Ficus Bonsai Tree: Love the health properties of ginseng? ...
What are the best conditions for a bonsai tree?
Types of Bonsai Trees That Need Sunlight
- Flowering Bonsai Tree. Flowering bonsai tree varieties like the sakura cherry and the azalea will benefit greatly from full sun exposure.
- Fruiting Bonsai Trees. Fruiting bonsai trees like the fig or bael should be grown in containers that are large enough for their roots to grow.
- Deciduous Bonsai Trees. ...
What is the spiritual meaning of a bonsai tree?
What Do Bonsai Trees Represent? Bonsai trees represent: peace, wealth; harmony, balance. They symbolize: wisdom, strength, order of thought etc. It shows the struggle of a tree against the hostile natural forces. Bonsai also gives us a glimpse of Zen Buddhism and inspires us to make our life clatter free.
Does the bonsai tree have a meaning?
The word bonsai means vase or tray tree in its free translation in the Japanese language. But its spiritual meanings go far beyond just a small tree grown in a pot. Spiritually the tree is considered as a symbol of the relationship between man and nature.
What is a real bonsai tree?
A bonsai tree is a living tree or shrub which has been grown in a way which gives the impression of being a full-sized, mature tree. An artistic representation of a full-sized tree in nature. Bonsai trees are generally grown in shallow ceramic pots.
How much are true bonsai trees?
A bonsai's price ranges from about $100 to several thousand dollars, up to one million. There are also miniature bonsai that can be had for $20-30, those can be enjoyed more easily.
Are bonsai trees just regular trees?
Almost any tree or shrub can be turned into a bonsai. The key is to prune the roots and the foliage so the plant remains (or is pruned) to be dwarfed.
How do I know if my bonsai tree is real?
Touch the bark of the tree, which will feel rough if it is a genuine bonsai. If the seller claims that the tree is an older one, thereby asking a large sum of money for it, then the bark should exhibit lovely silver coloring. Examine the branch structure, which should be graceful.
How much is a 20 year old bonsai tree worth?
The average price for a 20-year old bonsai is $785.87 (£585.81). The cheapest 20-year old bonsai sell for is $469.37, with more expensive 20-year old bonsai selling for $1200.24.
Is it hard to keep a Bonsai tree alive?
Keeping a Bonsai tree alive is not a difficult task, but there are a few things you should be aware of. Bonsai trees are planted in small pots with minimal space for water and nutrient reserves. That means you need to water and fertilize your tree regularly.
What is the most common bonsai tree?
Most popular speciesFicus Ficus retusa or Ginseng.Juniper Juniperus.Japanese maple Acer palmatum.
Can an oak tree be a bonsai?
Oaks are very well suited for bonsai and easy to care for, but even the frost tolerant species need winter protection when they are planted in containers. If you need help identifying your tree, take a look at our Bonsai tree identification guide.
What is the easiest bonsai tree to take care of?
Ficus BonsaiThe most common, and the easiest to care for, is the Ficus Bonsai. The Ficus is tolerant of low humidity and is very resilient, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Other popular indoor Bonsai include the Dwarf jade, the Fukien tea (Carmona), the Hawaiian umbrella (Schefflera), and the Sweet plum (Sageretia).
What makes bonsai expensive?
The price of a bonsai tree is reflective of its age, tree type, and labor required to keep the tree alive. Older trees that were grown in the wild are rare and generally are expensive due to their tapered trunk and mature look. Additional supplies like bonsai tools and pots also increase the price.
What is the most expensive bonsai tree?
Simple economics; with limited availability, prices go up. How much can a Bonsai tree cost? The most expensive Bonsai tree is this centuries old Pine, sold for 1.3 million dollar at the International Bonsai Convention in Takamatsu, Japan.
How often do you need to water a Bonsai tree?
Approximately once a week or so (when the topsoil feels completely dry) immerse the entire bonsai plant in a bucket or basin of water. Once the air bubbles have risen to the top, the bonsai has absorbed enough water.
Why bonsai tree is so expensive?
The tree's growth is restricted by years of pruning, wiring, re-potting, and grafting, and the plants need to be checked on and often watered every day. The skills required to grow these trees plays a huge part in their value.
What's the most expensive bonsai tree?
Simple economics; with limited availability, prices go up. How much can a Bonsai tree cost? The most expensive Bonsai tree is this centuries old Pine, sold for 1.3 million dollar at the International Bonsai Convention in Takamatsu, Japan.
How long do bonsai trees live?
Without this meticulous care, your bonsai would quickly deplete the resources available in its shallow container and die. But in the right conditions, a bonsai tree can easily live to over 100 years-old. Some can even live for centuries, all the way up to a thousand years!
What is the rarest bonsai tree?
Shunka-en BonsaiShunka-en Bonsai This tree is around 800 years old, making it one of the oldest trees. It is also said to be the rarest and most valuable bonsai tree in the world.
History
The earliest illustration of a Chinese penjing is found in the Qianling Mausoleum murals at the Tang-dynasty tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, in province Shaanxi, China, dating to 706.
Cultivation and care
Bonsai cultivation and care requires techniques and tools that are specialized to support the growth and long-term maintenance of trees in small containers.
Display
A Seiju elm bonsai on display with a shitakusa of miniature hosta and a hanging scroll.
Bonsai styles
The Japanese tradition describes bonsai tree designs using a set of commonly understood, named styles. The most common styles include formal upright, informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, cascade, raft, literati, and group/forest. Less common forms include windswept, weeping, split-trunk, and driftwood styles.
Bonsai artists
This is a list of some notable bonsai artists. It is by no means exhaustive.
Size classifications
Japanese bonsai exhibitions and catalogs frequently refer to the size of individual bonsai specimens by assigning them to size classes (see table below).
Indoor bonsai
The Japanese tradition of bonsai does not include indoor bonsai, and bonsai appearing at Japanese exhibitions or in catalogs have been grown outdoors for their entire lives. In less-traditional settings, including climates more severe than Japan's, indoor bonsai may appear in the form of potted trees cultivated for the indoor environment.
What is a bonsai tree?
Bonsai is an ancient living art form that utilizes growing and training techniques to produce miniature trees that mimic the appearance of their full-sized counterparts. These techniques include heavy crown pruning, root pruning, and root confinement in shallow containers. Nearly any perennial, woody-stemmed tree ...
What is the best tree for bonsai?
Its twisted surface roots are another alluring feature that lends well to bonsai styling. Besides its appearance, Ficus benjamina is a hardy, resilient tree making it perfect for bonsai training.
What kind of soil should I use for bonsai?
Nearly any tree variety grown as a bonsai will grow best in a special potting mix that usually marketed as a bonsai soil mix. This mix is really not a soil at all, but rather a mixture of hard Japanese akadama (a claylike mineral), pumice, and black lava, sometimes with some horticultural additives included.
Why are bonsai trees so popular?
Some species are more popular due to aesthetic reasons (such as having small foliage or gnarled looking bark), while others are popular because they are notorious for being low-maintenance and resilient when grown as bons ai trees.
Why are pine trees used as bonsai trees?
Pine (Pinus spp.) Pine trees are popular as bonsai because they are hardy and trainable. In fact, pine trees can be shaped into almost every known bonsai style. Pine trees are characterized by needles that appear in bundles of two to five, and bark that becomes scaly or flaky as it ages.
How often should I water Japanese maple trees?
A warning to those bonsai enthusiasts who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to the craft—Japanese maples require a lot of water, especially during the growing season. Depending on the temperature, they may require daily watering, possibly even several times daily. Light: Sunny, partial sun.
What is a cherry tree?
Carlo A / Getty Images. Cherry trees are traditionally believed to signify friendship, and varieties such as Japanese flowering cherry also make beautiful bonsai trees. These ornamental, deciduous trees are not only gorgeous, but they are easy to train because their branches and trunks are pliable and easy to shape.
What is a bonsai tree?
Translated literally, the word “bonsai” means “planted in a container.” And while there are several horticultural practices that feature dwarf plants grown in shallow soil, Japanese bonsai trees are particularly well known throughout the globe.
What is Japanese bonsai?
The ultimate goal is to create a miniature, realistic representation of a tree one might see growing in the wild. A popular misconception, bonsai aren’t genetically dwarfed plants; in fact, nearly any tree can be grown in bonsai form.
What Makes a Japanese Bonsai Tree?
When you’re creating a tree of your own, it’s important to understand the key elements that allow the distinct “bonsai effect” to emerge. Take care to nurture the following:
What is the difference between Bonsai and Penjing?
Most notably, penjing often uses miniature fixtures to depict additional features of the living landscape—like shrubs, mountains, or water elements. Bonsai, on the other hand, usually features just the tree and the container in which it is planted. This austere style can be attributed to the Zen monks who sought to represent the entire universe in a single tree.
What are the similarities between Chinese bonsai and Japanese bonsai?
Chinese penjing and Japanese bonsai have similarities that betray their common lineage. Both practices feature dwarfed trees grown to recreate scenes from the natural world. But the two styles have diverged over time.
What proportions should a bonsai tree be?
Proportion: The most coveted Japanese bonsai trees match the proportions of a natural as closely as possible. Small trees should have small needles, leaves, and blooms, and the trunk and branches should be proportional.
What is a cascade tree?
Cascade (kengai): This style models trees that grow off of mountainsides or over water. The apex extends beneath the lip of the container in a “half cascade” and below the base of the container in a full cascade.
How long can a bonsai tree live?
Like their regular-size siblings, bonsai trees can survive for hundreds of years. Some have even outlived their caretakers. A Japanese white pine in the collection of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington D.C., for example, has been in training since 1625, making it almost 400 years old.
What trees are good for bonsai?
4. Cotoneaster. istockphoto.com. These trees, small to begin with, are well suited to the art of bonsai. Native to three continents—Asia, Europe, and Africa—cotoneasters feature glossy green leaves and small apple-shaped fruits that appear after a bloom of little white flowers.
What is the best tree to prune for a bonsai?
Prevent infestations with regular pruning to keep leaves from getting too messy. Juniper is also perfect for bonsai newbies because it takes well to over-pruning. Although aggressive pruning can weaken them and cause browning, the trees will ultimately recover from pruning mishaps. 4. Cotoneaster.
Why are ficus trees so adaptable?
What makes ficus trees so adaptable is their ability to respond positively to growing restrictions. In bonsai, selecting a small container is key to restricting plant size. Because ficus trees are happy in smaller containers, they’re well suited to bonsai.
Why is Neem oil good for bonsai?
Another reason this tree is great for the art of bonsai is that it’s easy to prune, and its slow growth makes shaping uncomplicated. The trees are also not very susceptible to pest infestations, with the exception of spider mites. But these small insects are typically easy to control with a few applications of neem oil.
Where did bonsai originate?
Bonsai, a horticultural art that hails from ancient China, is still a popular hobby today. One common misconception is that bonsai is a type of tree. In fact, bonsai refers to the craft or art form of cultivating, shaping, and maintaining tiny trees.
Can you prune rosemary for bonsai?
Best of all, when you prune your rosemary bonsai, you’ll not only help maintain the plant’s shape, but you’ll also net herbs for dinner. Frequent watering is necessary for rosemary plants to thrive, but they’re also vulnerable to root rot, so make sure to keep plants in a pot with sufficient drainage.
Where are baobab bonsai found?
Judas tree (Cercis) Cercis is a genus with ten species which are found in mediterranean zones of the northern hemisphere in North-America, Asia and southern Europe. Two species (Cercis siliquastrum and Cercis canadensis) are often used as ornamental plants.
What is the bark color of a hornbeam bonsai?
Care guide for the Hornbeam Bonsai (Carpinus). Birch (Betula pendula) The silver birch is a deciduous tree native to Europe and parts of Asia and is well-known for its characteristic white bark. On old trees the bark becomes partly rough and blackish. Care guide for the Birch Bonsai (Betula pendula).
Why should I keep a bonsai pot from frost?
In a Bonsai pot it should be protected from strong frost because its carnose roots are sensitive. Care guide for the Yew Bonsai tree (Taxus, Taxaceae). Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) It is very similar to the European yew, but it has smaller and stiffer needles. Care guide for the Yew Bonsai tree (Taxus, Taxaceae).
How tall is a baobab tree?
Baobab (Adansonia digitata) The baobab is the characteristic tree species of the dry savanna of the African lowlands south of the Sahara. It can grow 20 m (65ft) tall and develops a very massive, sometimes bottle-shaped trunk which is often deeply furrowed. Care guide for the Baobab Bonsai (Adansonia digitata).
What is a Trident Maple?
Trident maple (Acer buergerianum) An Asian maple species with small leaves with three lobes, not fully frost hardy, but otherwise very easy to care for and robust. Care guide for the Trident Maple Bonsai tree (Acer Buergerianum).
What is a flame tree?
Flame Tree (Delonix regia) The Flame Tree is also called Royal Poinciana, fire tree or flamboyant tree. It is a tropical tree species from the legume family which produces large, fiery red or golden flowers that blossom from spring through summer. Care guide for the Flame Tree (Delonix regia) Bonsai.
Where is the Ginkgo Bonsai tree from?
The tree is indigenous to China and is considered a living fossil, dating back 270 million years. Care guide for the Ginkgo Bonsai (Ginkgo biloba). Adenium (desert rose) The Desert Rose is a small succulent tree native to Africa and Arabia which has fleshy leaves and develops a bulbous base.
What do I need to be a bonsai master?
Everything You Need To Become A Bonsai Master. To begin caring for a bonsai tree, all you need is a pot, some soil, and a lot of love. However, to help your bonsai tree live a full life, while training it into the shape you want, you’ll need extra supplies.
Is a specimen tree hardy?
Our specimen trees are hardy and have been exceptionally well cared for, and will still thrive for many years to come. These unique one-of-a-kind trees are stunning works of art that will instantly enhance a home, office, or any other room. If you’re interesting in adopting a specimen tree, don’t wait.
Can bonsai trees be used outside?
Some bonsai trees prefer the outdoors, and can make amazing additions to your front yard, back yard, or even an outdoor patio. You’re guaranteed to get plenty of attention with a noble, well-trained bonsai tree in your yard. They can enhance your curb appeal, and be the talk of any yard parties you host. Be aware, these trees will be more sensitive to weather and climate than indoor bonsai, and may require a greater level of care and attention.
Do bonsai trees bloom?
Not every bonsai tree species will bloom… but when they do, it’s genuinely magical. We’ve carefully selected the most impressive flowering bonsai trees in our collection, and every one will put on a colorful show for you most years. Occasionally, they may even provide edible nuts, berries, or flowers! You’re truly getting something special when you choose a flowering bonsai, a true centerpiece of your home which will always wow your visitors.
Do bonsai shops cut quality?
While other Bonsai Shops cut quality to lower costs, we refuse to shortchange our customers. We believe, as you do, that when you shop for a Bonsai Tree or supplies, that you are shopping for quality products that will stand the test of time. BonsaiOutlet has the benefit of an expertly tended nursery thriving with healthy Bonsai Trees. We stand behind every Bonsai tree we sell and customer satisfation on unconditionally guaranteed.
Can bonsai trees survive indoors?
Bring Life To Any Room With An Indoor Bonsai Tree. Bonsai is the art of recreating nature in miniature, creating living works of art which can survive anywhere indoors. Here we collect our favorite indoor bonsai tree species, ones which require little or no direct sunlight.
Can beginners grow bonsai trees?
Here we present our own hand-picked selection of trees that are perfect for beginners. They’re easy to grow, hard to kill, and offer plenty of options for training and pruning. These “starter” bonsai are an excellent way for anyone to enter into the world of bonsai trees. They also make wonderful gifts. Young or old, anyone can learn to care for a bonsai and train it into a wonderful living work of art.
Overview
Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing and training miniature trees in pots, developed from the traditional Chinese art form of penjing. Unlike penjing, which utilizes traditional techniques to produce entirely natural scenery in small pots that mimic the grandiose shapes of real life scenery, the Japanese "bonsai" only attempts to produce small trees that mimic the shape of real life trees. Similar versions of the art exist in other cultures, including the miniature living landsca…
History
The Japanese art of bonsai originated from the Chinese practice of penjing. From the 6th century onward, Imperial embassy personnel and Buddhist students from Japan visited and returned from mainland China. They brought back many Chinese ideas and goods, including container plantings. Over time, these container plantings began to appear in Japanese writings and representative a…
Cultivation and care
Bonsai cultivation and care requires techniques and tools that are specialized to support the growth and long-term maintenance of trees in small containers. Bonsai trees can live for hundreds of years if they are consistently well cared for.
All bonsai start with a specimen of source material, a plant that the grower wis…
Aesthetics
Bonsai aesthetics are the aesthetic goals characterizing the Japanese tradition of growing an artistically shaped miniature tree in a container. Many Japanese cultural characteristics, in particular the influence of Zen Buddhism and the expression of Wabi-sabi, inform the bonsai tradition in Japan. Established art forms that share some aesthetic principles with bonsai include penjing and saikei. …
Display
A bonsai display presents one or more bonsai specimens in a way that allows a viewer to see all the important features of the bonsai from the most advantageous position. That position emphasizes the bonsai's defined "front", which is designed into all bonsai. It places the bonsai at a height that allows the viewer to imagine the bonsai as a full-size tree seen from a distance, siting the bonsai neither so low that the viewer appears to be hovering in the sky above it nor so high t…
Bonsai styles
The Japanese tradition describes bonsai tree designs using a set of commonly understood, named styles. The most common styles include formal upright, informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, cascade, raft, literati, and group/forest. Less common forms include windswept, weeping, split-trunk, and driftwood styles. These terms are not mutually exclusive, and a single bonsai specimen …
Size classifications
Japanese bonsai exhibitions and catalogs frequently refer to the size of individual bonsai specimens by assigning them to size classes (see table below). Not all sources agree on the exact sizes or names for these size ranges, but the concept of the ranges is well-established and useful to both the cultivation and the aesthetic understanding of the trees. A photograph of a bonsai may not give the viewer an accurate impression of the tree's real size, so printed docume…
Indoor bonsai
The Japanese tradition of bonsai does not include indoor bonsai, and bonsai appearing at Japanese exhibitions or in catalogs have been grown outdoors for their entire lives. In less-traditional settings, including climates more severe than Japan's, indoor bonsai may appear in the form of potted trees cultivated for the indoor environment.
Traditionally, bonsai are temperate climate trees grown outdoors in containers. Kept in the artifici…