Bonsai are miniature trees, which are intentionally kept dwarfs, even for many years, through pruning and root reduction. With this particular cultivation technique the plant is directed, during the growth process, to assume the desired shapes and dimensions, also with the use of guide metal wires, while fully respecting the vegetative and functional balance.
HISTORY
"Bonsai" is the Japanese reading of the two kanji 盆栽: the first (bon) means "basin", "bowl", while the second (you know) means "to plant"
The Japanese art of bonsai originated from the Chinese one of penzai (or penjing). Beginning in the sixth century, the embassy staff and Japanese Buddhist students returned from China with vases. At least 17 diplomatic missions were sent from Japan to the Tang court from 603 to 839.
The bonsai technique, born in China and modified in Japan by applying to the cultivated plants the canons of its aesthetic influenced by Zen, is linked to what the Orientals call seishi: the art of giving shape, cultivating, practicing the most always varied respecting the plant. Bonsai is therefore a living nature, small trees that, despite their small size, express all the energy that is contained in a large plant.
Creation of a bonsai
Bonsai can be obtained by the following methods:
- from seed
-by cuttings
-by airside - from nursery plants
- from plants collected in nature
-by "pre bonsai"
Well done this is one of the few blogs on bonsai that are factually correct.
Two small things I would change: The wire used is mostly annealed copper or coated anodized Aluminium. It's air-layered I think that's just a typo where it says airside.