Creating a Wonderful Bonsai Garden

By B.E. Conrad

For centuries gardeners from the Orient have practiced the art of bonsai, and the art form has of course caught on in the Western world as well. These miniature trees are an interesting and fascinating part of the gardening hobby, but many gardeners fail to realize just how complicated and complex this unique art form really is.

The word bonsai comes from the Japanese for “tray gardening” and it is of course the art of growing miniature trees in a variety of containers, including, of course, trays. Although the term is Japanese, the art of bonsai can actually be traced instead to ancient China and the Tang Dynasty.

While bonsai trees are certainly beautiful, caring for them can be quite tricky. Caring for bonsai trees can be difficult, since the root system of these tiny trees is limited by the shallow containers and trays in which they are grow. This is perhaps why watering the bonsai is one of the most difficult things to master. Further complicating matters is the fact that some species of bonsai can tolerate long periods of dryness, while others need to be watered more frequently. It is important for the new bonsai gardener to pay careful attention to the moisture requirement of each element of the bonsai garden.

It is also important to keep in mind that, just as with houseplants, watering too frequently can cause just as many, or even more, problems than not providing enough water. If the soil becomes soggy, the roots can easily become waterlogged, and due to the size of the container there will be less margin for error. In most cases the soil in the bonsai tray should be allowed to become completely dry before the plant is watered. It is, of course, important to monitor the plant on a daily basis to ensure it has everything it needs to grow and thrive.

© Doityourself.com 2006