Bonsai Trees

The Art of Growing Bonsai Trees

September 28th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

The art of cultivating Bonsai Trees is a Japanese tradition for hundreds and hundreds of years. Translating literally to “tray planting,” growing a bonsai tree involves actively shaping a tree into a dwarfed, artistic version of itself. A bonsai tree is not a special dwarf or hybrid species of a common tree; they’re genetically identical to their much bigger relatives. It’s the Careful cultivation that keeps these trees small. Surprisingly, the trees are not damaged by this process, however. In fact, given the proper Care, the bonsai version of a tree can live longer than the same tree if it was allowed to grow in the wild.

Bonsai trees can either be grown from seeds or from cuttings of trees, and they normally range in height from two inches to three feet. Through pruning both roots and branches bonsai trees are kept small. They’re also repotted periodically, and new growth is often pinched off.

There is a much about art as there is about horticulture in the growing and cultivating of bonsai trees. Bonsai trees are not only kept small, they are also formed into pleasing shapes. They frequently follow a number of different growth patterns, from elaborate waterfall shapes cascading down over their pots to simple triangular pattens. The shapes are usually a result of both the pruning of the tree and through the use of wrapping the branches and trunk with wire, shaping the tree into its desired form. Chosen to compliment the shape and color of the tree itself, the pots are also part of the art of bonsai. Rocks and mosses are frequently added to the base for aesthetic appeal.

Taking care of a bonsai tree is more complicated than maintaining most housePlants. Since the bonsai, by definition, has has a smaller root system than most Plants, it needs water and fertilizer more often than most garden-variety houseplants. Pruining is also essential occasionally, since the bonsai tree would grow into just a normal big tree without pruning. Also, if wire is used to help mold and form the tree, it is important to take care that the wire doesn’t dig into the bark of the tree, scarring the branches permanently. Depending on the type of bonsai tree and your climate, you may be able to keep some bonsai trees outside year round, while others will need to be kept inside for at least part of the year. Moisture is also important, not only in the soil but in the branches and leaves of the bonsai. They need to be misted occasionally for the bonsai to remain healthy.

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Rock Gardens: Creating Breathtaking Garden Vistas

September 27th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Rock gardens really offer some of the most spectacular garden vistas. Along with extensive usage of rocks and stones the Plants native to the rocky or alpine environments are featured in the rock gardens or rockeries. Usually nowadays the rock gardens are designed by homeowners as a measure to make advantageous use of the rocky tract lying in their yards.

Creating a rock garden and looking after its upkeep can be a good hobby. The retired persons can especially take this up as a pastime and spend many a leisurely moment in the rock garden.

Origin of rock garden concept and aspects of rock gardens

Originally it were the travelers to the Swiss Alps who got impressed by the flora that grew among the snowy heights and rocky terrain out there and introduced the exotic flora and feel in their homelands. The rock gardens can come in various shapes and sizes. They may be small and simply done as also vast and elaborately set up. Every rock garden can be set up in a unique way. While simple rock gardens may include only flowers, foliage and rocks the exotic ones can also be made having ponds and waterfalls in them. Your landscape can indeed be wonderfully transformed by making use of a worthy rock garden idea.

The rock garden is usually observed as a pile of rocks of different sizes that are aesthetically arranged with small gaps being introduced in between them for planting of flora. Bonsai may also be incorporated suitably in rock gardens. Rock gardens can also be styled in the Japanese rock garden way. In such case the rock gardens are also referred to as Zen garden. These are special rock gardens with hardly any Plants. Rocks and affine, light colored gravel are what make up such Zen gardens.

Going about with setting up of rock garden

While proceeding with setting up of rock garden the rock that is available in the locality is primarily considered for building up the garden. This also gives a natural look to the garden. Often there are a number of rock types to choose from. Any native rock that helps create a natural look should be selected. After placement of the rocks they ought to be allowed to settle down for a few weeks for judging their stability and effect on soil conditions.

While selecting the flora type for rock garden though there are no rules or conventions as such, yet, choices of plants need to be made judiciously. Plants that will be able to withstand and thrive in the climatic condition of the garden should be the ones that are to be naturally selected. Personal favorites among such plants can be opted for of course keeping-in with your ideas of rock garden setting.

Using of the right kind of soil - that is rich, light in texture and well drained to avoid water stagnation - is much needed in the rock garden. Usage of strong fertilizers should be avoided and natural soil enriching material should be preferably used. Watering is also a very important thing to take Care of. Using a watering can for watering purpose is the best way out. Alongside, Care must be taken to ensure that the garden is not overshadowed by large Trees. The garden must get exposed to the sun, wind and other natural elements.

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Information on the Cypress Bonsai

July 13th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

The word Bonsai is most closely associated by most with the growing of miniature Trees, and although this is somewhat accurate, there is much more to it than that. A Bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant, but rather you keep it small through proper planting and maintenance.

The right combination of pot confinement, and crown and root pruning is essential here, and any Tree or shrub, as long as you offer it the right training and Care, could become a bonsai over time, although there are some certain Plants that are more sought after for this than others.

There are many different styles of bonsai that you can choose from, and one of the most popular of all is the Cypress bonsai.

The Cypress Bonsai Has Right Characteristics For Trimming

The Cypress bonsai is a type of bonsai that is available in either formal upright style or slant style. The formal upright style comes just as the name suggests, and is characterized by a straight, upright, tapering trunk. Although the trunk and branches of this Cypress bonsai may incorporate certain bends and curves, the actual apex of this style is always located directly over the roots.

In regards to the slant style of Cypress bonsai, this tree is similar to the formal upright style, only the trunk emerges from the soil at an angle, rather than straight up, and the apex of this bonsai will extend to the left or right of the root base.

Care and Maintenance Of Bonsai Trees

The care and maintenance of the bonsai tree is crucial to its growing success, and there are certain things that are critical to remember in order to take proper care of your bonsai tree.

For one, a bonsai prefers the morning sun with protection from the afternoon sun, especially in summertime, and if your bonsai is placed against a wall you want to make sure that you turn it around every two weeks or so, because if you do not do this, the tree may end up growing out of shape because it will tend to grow towards the light.

Correct watering is one of the most important aspects of all, and most trees need more water in summer than they do in winter. Basically the more leaves your tree has the more water it will need, and as you become familiar with your own tree you will be able to tell by the weight of the pot to determine when watering is required.

Bonsai Live Cypress Tree 18" Great Starter