Bonsai (盆栽, "tray
gardening", in Japanese) is the art of growing
trees and plants, kept small by being grown in a pot
and by the use of skilled pruning, formed to create
an aesthetic shape and the illusion of age. The Chinese
art of penjing is very similar to and is the precursor
of the Japanese art of cultivating bonsai trees.
Bonsai Trees Cultivation
Bonsai trees are not genetically
dwarfed plants. It is any tree or shrub species actively
growing but kept small by crown and root pruning. Theoretically,
any species could be used, though ones with attributes
such as small leaves and twigs will generally make
better bonsai trees, helping to create the illusion
of a larger tree in miniature. Properly maintained
bonsai can have lifespans that might be able to reach
that of their full-sized counterparts. However, bonsai
require a great deal of care, and improperly maintained
bonsai will not survive. |
