Bonsai: The Art of Growing and Keeping Miniature Trees

174 pp. Color and black-andwhite illustrations throughout text. Bonsai is the art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers. Cultivation includes techniques for shaping, watering, and repotting in various styles of containers. Originating in China during the Han Dynasty, 'bonsai' is a Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word penzai (??). The word bonsai is used in the West as an umbrella term for all miniature trees in containers or pots. Bonsai are not genetically dwarfed plants. They can be created from nearly any tree or shrub species and remain small through pot confinement with crown and root pruning. Some specific species are more sought after for use as bonsai material, because they have characteristics that make them appropriate for the smaller design arrangements of bonsai. The small size of the tree and the dwarfing of foliage result from pruning of both the leaves and the roots. Most trees require a dormancy period and do not grow roots or leaves at that time. Improper pruning can weaken or kill trees.