Bonsai Plants - Everything You Need to Know

It is a common belief that Bonsai plants come from Japan, however this is not true. The Bonsai plant was first discovered in ancient China. The Chinese brought the tiny plant to the Japanese landscape over a thousand years ago. The Japanese who covet small and delicate things loved the plants and thus a craze was born that has outlasted the Ming Dynasty.

"Bonsai" as it is defined, means "tray planted". Bonsai plants are grown in shallow trays or containers that have the look and feel of the orient. The container you choose for your plant has to have some unique attributes such as, it has to be shallow and it has to have good irrigation possibilities. Bonsai plants tend to go through a lot of water so being able to irrigate properly is important.

Bonsai is a type of plant that can be trees, shrubs, plants or bushes. Which ever plant is chosen they are geared to grow anywhere from just a couple inches to a couple feet tall. The plants used most for Bonsai are the ones that grow naturally small and have small leaves. These types of plants are easier to train to grow in the patterns required to be a Bonsai plant. Bonsai owners derive their fun from the trimming, pruning, and shaping of the plant.

Over the last several decades the Bonsai plants became popular in the United States as an exclusive plant for the rich. In the mid-1980's Bonsai plants became more mainstream and people all over the world began to see them as a way to combine indoor gardening and art in the shaping a miniature plants.

Whether you see Bonsai plants as a way to practice art or a way to enjoy gardening without having to spend a lot of time outdoors, it can be a lot of fun. The plant becomes a piece of art when an owner shapes the miniature plant or tree into a shape of their own. Many Bonsai owners get creative and try to train their trees to grow in a way that is truly unique. There are those out there who have delved into the art and become somewhat obsessed, however when Bonsai gets into that realm it can get very expensive.

Bonsai is not a quick hobby, it takes time and patience. A lot of people buy the plants already grown and shaped and then attempt to maintain them from there, the problem with this is that the new owner doesn't have any experience with the plant and thus may have a harder time understanding how to care for it. Experts say that it is best to take on the challenge of growing a bonsai from seedlings, root setting, or cuttings. Starting off at the beginning will help you understand the process of growing these delicate plants.

Bonsai plants are no different from other house plants when it comes to general upkeep. Provide sunlight or artificial grow lights for lighting and protection from insects and disease. Regular water and fertilizer is necessary and spending time grooming them. The bottom line is that Bonsai plants are living things and need the care you would put into anything that you are growing.