The Art of Bonsai

"Bonsai" (pronounced:Bone-sigh') in Japanese is literally translated potted plant and in Chinese, tree in a pot, is one of the oldest forms of crafts involving plant life in history. It's roots come from Penjing, China around 200 AD, and is still popular throughout the world today as a source of stress-relief as well as meditation. The main purpose of Bonsai's is an aesthetic one. They are simply beautiful to look at.

I recently met with the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club at the Botanical Conservatory on Calhoun St., and was amazed at what went into the production and cultivation of a Bonsai tree.

Long time member of the Bonsai Club, Ed Hack, claims that, "Any plant that will have a woody trunk can be turned into a Bonsai." Both indoor and outdoor plants and trees can be made into Bonsais. The list includes oaks, long-needle pines, maples, cedars, junipers, long-leaf willows, Norwegian spruce, Pomegranates, and many others including blueberry bushes!

Ed said he started dwarfing plants and trees back in the early 1960's and was hooked when he bought the Brooklyn Botanical Garden series of bonsai books. He told me he prefers to grow them from seeds and cuttings, but he also buys stock from nurseries.

I thought, I suppose like most people, that Bonsai's were a special class of plant that had their own seeds, specific places they will only grow, etc. To my surprise, however, I found out that Bonsai's are actually made from ordinary trees and shrubs! No special seeds are needed to grow a Bonsai. Ordinary plants from any store that sells plants may be converted into a Bonsai. Some stores may also sell Bonsai kits.

The key to turning an everyday Gingko Biloba or Pine tree, for example, into a beautiful Bonsai is in the way its branches and roots are pruned and training branches by tying them with wire.

Some of the Bonsai's I saw at the Botanical Conservatory were under 3-feet tall, but well over twenty-years old! One in particular was a beautiful 20-year old Gingko Biloba Bonsai that was dwarfed by Ed Heck of the Bonsai Club. Gingko Biloba trees can grow up to 100-feet tall in the wild.

Though it may sound a bit overwhelming, the art of "dwarfing" a plant isn't as hard as one may think, but it does take lots of dedication and a real love for plant life. Having a green thumb sure doesn't hurt, either! If you decide to give Bonsai a try, you'll find it will give you years of enjoyment in return.

For more info contact the President of Fort Wayne Bonsai Club, Darlene Kittle, at (260)637-5104.