Cat Bonsai Masters Reveal Their Secrets

Bonsai trees never leave the fashion trends. In fact, they were so popular, that more than 2000 years ago the Japanese imported this art from China. Some of the great bonsai masters have decided to share their tips with you. Yes, they are cats, but that doesn’t matter!

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai master Felix explains it simply. The miniature trees are a combination between art and horticulture. Bonsai is more like a challange, rather than mystery. You challange yourself to reach inner peace and patience.

The secret behind the mini copies of giant trees is the spiritual harmony between man and nature. Bonsais owe their shape and size to different horticulutral practices. The two main techniques are wiring and pruning. It takes a lot of years and training to be able to form your own arrangement.

Just like Ikebana, this ancient Japanese art requires a state of inner balance, connection with nature, and knowing your place in the universe.

There are Different Types of Bonsai

Master Kuroneko (literally meaning “black cat”) wants you to know that there are different types of bonsai trees. It all depends on the way the plant is designed through pruning and wiring.

Thanks to these techniques, the shape and the growth direction of the trunk are manipulated. When the stem of teh tree is growing upright and tapers towards the top, the bonsai is called “Formal”. If the trunk has well balanced waves, you have an “Informal”. You can also have a semi or full cascading bonsai. This is when the stem is arching, gently extending bellow the container. You can also have a group or forest of miniature trees. They can have their roots intertwined or growing freely.

There is a single characteristic that applies for all types of bonsai trees. The crowns are shaped like clouds. This is another form of Japanese art, called Niwaki. It’s used on both miniature and real-sized trees.

How to Obtain Your Bonsai

Another great bonsai master decided to help you on this adventure. Teacher Matsuzoku (literally meaning “pine”) will reveal how to get your very own decorative tree.

You can try growing a tree from seeds. This can take a lot of years and requires a lot of dedication and patience. This way isn’t suited for people who tend to loose their temper and can’t wait for things to happen.

There are nurseries that sell bonsai trees. You can buy one and get your pruning and wiring gear from there. However, miniature plants bought from such places often die a few weeks later. Make sure it’s a nursery that specializes only in bonsai.

You can also try growing a tree from cuttings or finding your own in the wild. These tend to be highly prized and revered.

Suitable Plants

According to teacher Tora, true bonsai masters can use any tree or shrub. The most common ones are pines, Japanese maple tree, elm, apples, and azalea. Other popular plants are the cherry tree, plum tree, gardenia, or any citrus tree. You can grow a flowering type or an evergreen. If you decide to give bonsai as a gift, you can use Hanakotoba, the ancient language of flowers, to select a plant that can express your feelings.

Bonsai Care

Don’t take master Momo (meaning “peach”) as an example and don’t eat your bonsai! He’s a bit goofy but knows all the tips and tricks to bonsai care.

The soil should be a special kind. There is bonsai potting mix in most good gardening centers. If you can’t find, you need to mix gravel or pebbles in the soil. This will provide proper drainage.

The cointainer isn’t your regular flower pot. It’s shallow and made from clay or terracota. Make sure it has drainage holes! You can also grow a bonsai in a moss ball. They are called Kokedama and can make a great decoration for your home.

For the main part, pruning and wiring, you will need shears, wire, and concave cutter. Use them to train and trim the branches in the desired shape and direction. Remove dead, unsighty or weak branches. All limbs that distort the over all image of the bonsai should be pruned. If you don’t know how to do it properly, there are a lot of expert tree surgeons around Oxford, and the rest of the world of course, that you can ask for help.

Don’t forget that your bonsai needs water, fresh air and sunlight as much as any other plant. Just because it’s smaller in size it doesn’t mean it requires less sun, food or care. You can also use a fertiliser when it’s needed. In order to stay healthy, your decorative tree needs to be repotted periodically. This will prevent deformed roots and stimulate growth and over all tree health.