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The Art of Japanese Bonsai
By Fran Black [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Fran_Black]

The Japanese refined and developed Bonsai techniques and evolved the art form it is today. For the Japanese, bonsai represents a fusion of strong ancient beliefs with the Eastern philosophies of the harmony between man, the soul and nature.
The major aspects of Japanese bonsai, has not changed significantly over time.

Bonsai initially originated in Egypt thousands of years ago and moved to China. From China bonsai moved to Japan. Where the Japanese perfected the art of bonsai.

Japanese use azaleas to create magnificent bonsai following years of pruning, wiring and careful attention. The Japanese art of bonsai, and its precursor, the Chinese art of penjing, are rooted in the traditions of Asian culture.

The art of raising bonsai dwarfed potted trees has enabled the Japanese to admire nature in an indoor setting. The art of bonsai, as developed in America, is much freer in concept and style than Japanese bonsai.

The quality of a bonsai tree is measured on how well it portrays nature in miniature form. A bonsai should have a well tapered trunk and have branches all around the tree to give the bonsai visual depth. The art of bonsai involves the bringing together of tree and pot in visual harmony. "Bonsai" simply means "potted tree." But many of the really fine specimens have been pruned for more than 100 years.

Requiring many years of devoted attention and care to produce, the bonsai extends beauty and expresses the significance of life. The care involved in creating and shaping a bonsai is considered a form of meditation in and of itself.

Over time, bonsai began to take on different styles, each which varied immensely from one another. Today, hardy as well as tropical indoor bonsai are trained in classic styles, including windswept, slanted trunk, rock clinging, and forest.

Bonsai are highly regarded as a symbol of Japanese culture and ideals. Contrary to popular belief, bonsai are not tortured trees. A bonsai may have areas of dead wood to give an impression of age. There are several techniques available to the bonsai grower to increase the apparent age.

No longer exclusively an oriental art form, today bonsai is practiced by thousands of people around the world, on every continent. The art of bonsai is the art of imitating the spirit of nature. A bonsai industry of considerable size exists in certain sections of Japan.

Francesca Black works in marketing at Bonsai Garden http://www.bonsai-garden.com and Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net leading portals for bonsai gardening and natural exercise.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Black http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Art-of-Japanese-Bonsai&id=214169

The Art of Bonsai Trees
By Kevin J. Riley [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kevin_J._Riley]

The art of bonsai trees is an ancient and intriguing skill of training and growing trees into unique and beautiful miniature versions of the full size plants. The word bonsai comes from the Japanese words meaning “tray landscape”, but the art itself originated in China.

The Chinese were the first to master the art of bonsai trees as a way of growing small versions of medicinal plants that could be easily transported for epidemics and into battle. The Japanese adopted the art in the 8th century after Buddhist monks brought them to the country. The art of bonsai trees was practiced almost exclusively by the upper class for many years before developing into what it is today. The art of bonsai trees is now practiced around the world by millions of people from all walks of life.

Bonsai are traditionally thought of as trees; however bonsai may include plants, mosses, and even rocks known as “suiseki”. Just about any plant or tree can be trained to become a bonsai. Plants and trees with smaller leaves, flowers, and fruit make the best choices as their proportions are more aesthetically appealing because of their scale.

Some of the most popular choices for bonsai trees are the Chinese elm, Japanese juniper, and azaleas. There are two categories of bonsai trees to consider. The evergreens include the pines and hemlocks which keep their foliage year-round. The other type of bonsai trees is the deciduous trees like the elms and maples which lose their foliage in the fall.

Other bonsai trees are chosen for their flowers and fruits. They are grown to highlight their blossoms and fruits. These types of bonsai trees include the cherry blossom, crabapple, azalea, and the apricot.

Many people consider the art of bonsai trees to be ancient and mysterious. Like any art, these techniques can be learned and mastered by anyone who takes the time to learn and practice this art. The most special and personalized gift a person can give or receive is the gift of a bonsai tree as a piece of art.

Kevin J. Riley has studied and observed the art of bonsai for 20 years with his father James J. Riley. He is the host of the website http://www.theartofbonsaitrees.com .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_J._Riley http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Art-of-Bonsai-Trees&id=680802

Azalea Bonsai Care
By Kevin J. Riley [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kevin_J._Riley]

The azalea bonsai tree is not actually a tree, but a shrub. The thick base of the plant makes it a good candidate for a bonsai because it resembles a miniature full grown tree trunk. These bonsai usually only flower once a year but their blossoms can very colorful and beautiful. The care azaleas require is minimal and can be maintained with a little effort.

The azalea bonsai do not care for direct sunlight and it is preferable to place the bonsai in an area that has some indirect light. Azalea bonsai require water twice a day and should be kept in a container that allows proper drainage. Azaleas do not care for a damp or wet soil and a mix of sand, gravel, and clay should be used when potting. Take care to ensure the holes in the bottom of the container are lined with screen to prevent the loose soil from draining out.

Azalea bonsai should have their flowers and leaves removed right after they die to promote proper health and growth. Care should be taken when pruning to remove only the new growth every year after they flower and again in the middle of summer when new sprouts appear. Azalea bonsai care for an acidic soil and should be fertilized every 6 weeks.

The roots of the azalea bonsai should be inspected once a year and trimmed to keep the root ball the same size as the container. The azalea bonsai needs to be repotted every 3 to 5 years when more than 1/5 of the root ball would need to be trimmed to fit the container. Care should be taken when repotting to insure all air pockets are filled with soil.

Proper care of the azalea bonsai for the winter is to keep the plant out of the harsh elements of snow and ice but the azalea should be allowed to go dormant. An unheated room with a little sunlight would be a good place to care for the the plant and should be watered once a week to ensure proper azalea bonsai care.