Chinese bonsai, known in China as Penjing, differ from normal bonsai in that they have a wilder, untouched look about them. Japanese bonsai is all about maintaining the tree, and the tree alone. Disciples of penjing are concerned not only with the tree, but also with the surrounding area that can contain rock, water and other materials. These materials make up what is called a penjing landscape. Chinese bonsai artists attempt to recreate a scene from nature, while Japanese bonsai is concerned only with the tree. While the styles are different, the methods for growing each style of bonsai are the same. But how are these trees kept so small?
Miniature trees occur in nature all the time, they are simply trees that have limited space to grow due to the surrounding environment. This may because it is located in a competitive area where there are many other trees that have already taken claim to the root space. With home bonsai, this physical environment can be artificially recreated by using a bonsai container or a penjing tray. Bonsai containers only allow the roots of the tree to grow to a limited length which, in turn, has the effect of limiting the height and size of the tree above soil level.
Another way a Chinese Bonsai artist can maintain a tree's small size is through ocasional trimming and pruning. Careful trimming of the bonsai tree allows the bonsai artist to shape it in order to recreate patterns that naturally occur in fully grown trees.
Some of these patterns are:
If bonsai trees were left to grow on their own in a small container they would resemble a wild shrub, but penjing artists prune the tree in such a way that the miniature tree mirrors their larger cousins.
In addition to trimming the branches and leaves, care must also be taken to periodically trim the roots of the tree. If this is not done, the roots of the tree will eventually become rootbound. This is a condition where the entire volume of the container is taken up by the tree's roots,leaving not enough soil between them for the tree to obtain its nutrients. For this reason, Chinese Bonsai trees need to be repotted every so often into a new container, during this time the trimming of the roots ensures that they can regrow and absorb nutrients in their new container.
For more information about this fascinating subject , click here : ChineseBonsai.net
Miniature trees occur in nature all the time, they are simply trees that have limited space to grow due to the surrounding environment. This may because it is located in a competitive area where there are many other trees that have already taken claim to the root space. With home bonsai, this physical environment can be artificially recreated by using a bonsai container or a penjing tray. Bonsai containers only allow the roots of the tree to grow to a limited length which, in turn, has the effect of limiting the height and size of the tree above soil level.
Another way a Chinese Bonsai artist can maintain a tree's small size is through ocasional trimming and pruning. Careful trimming of the bonsai tree allows the bonsai artist to shape it in order to recreate patterns that naturally occur in fully grown trees.
Some of these patterns are:
- exposed roots that curve above and below the surface, this gives the bonsai a mature look
- the leaves of the tree form a canopy shape
- there are spaces between the branches and foliage
- a thick trunk that divides evenly into smaller branches as the height increases
If bonsai trees were left to grow on their own in a small container they would resemble a wild shrub, but penjing artists prune the tree in such a way that the miniature tree mirrors their larger cousins.
In addition to trimming the branches and leaves, care must also be taken to periodically trim the roots of the tree. If this is not done, the roots of the tree will eventually become rootbound. This is a condition where the entire volume of the container is taken up by the tree's roots,leaving not enough soil between them for the tree to obtain its nutrients. For this reason, Chinese Bonsai trees need to be repotted every so often into a new container, during this time the trimming of the roots ensures that they can regrow and absorb nutrients in their new container.
For more information about this fascinating subject , click here : ChineseBonsai.net
