Indoor bonsai varieties. Types of bonsai. Wrong upright style

Bonsai is an art that came from Japan. Indoor bonsai is a miniature tree growing in a small bowl. This is an exact copy of a real tree, usually on a scale of 1:100. In this article, you can figure out what a bonsai is and how to form it at home.

fruiting bonsai

Bonsai is not just a miniature tree. It has characteristics: a thickened trunk, a well-formed crown, a height of 20 cm to 2 m. This is a full-fledged tree, but in miniature. Translated from Chinese, "pun sai" means "tree in a bowl" - miniature copies have been grown for decades. And the older the tree, the more beautiful it is transplanted into a pot in the countries of the East.

How did the art of bonsai originate in China as early as 200 BC? e. The Japanese brought it to perfection several centuries later. Hobby has become massive in the first place among the common people. The inability to set up a garden near the house was compensated by growing mini-trees.

Creating a bonsai at home is not difficult if you provide proper care for it. The intensity of growth must constantly be regulated by pruning the root system. In art, there are several styles of bonsai. Before growing a tree, you need to decide which one you would like to see on your windowsill.

Bonsai styles

The choice of container for the tree will depend on the style. Cascading or sloping styles require the choice of a heavier and more stable bowl that outweighs the weight of the sloping canopy. There are many styles, of which the most commonly used are:

For beginners, it is better to start with the Tekkan style. And if you manage to master the technique of growing bonsai, you can experiment with others.

Plant selection for bonsai

Trees and shrubs are suitable for bonsai, which, as they grow, acquire a lignified trunk and branches. It is necessary to choose a plant suitable for the surrounding climatic conditions. Plants with large flowers, fruits, leaves are better not to choose for creating miniatures.

From coniferous trees for bonsai, cypress, thuja, pine, juniper, larch are often chosen. From deciduous - birch, maple, hornbeam, willow, oak. Flowering plants for bonsai look spectacular: acacia, pomegranate, citrus, peach, plum, magnolia.

Suitable for bonsai different types trees.

For indoor cultivation, it is better to choose non-deciduous plants that are able to develop all year round. From indoor flowers, ficuses, gardenia, dracaena, cordilina are often taken as a basis. For beginners, African portulacaria, ficus benjamin is ideal.

What you need to grow

To care for a bonsai, you will need a set of certain tools. For a beginner, two or three main ones are enough to form a crown.

Concave wire cutters are needed to cut the wire and cut the branches to the very trunk - so that there are no stumps and burrs.
Convex cutters. With their help, unnecessary convex sections, parts of the trunk, root are removed from the trunk. The instrument with a spherical head creates a cut that heals quickly.
Special scissors for cutting roots. Essential when pruning thin roots. You can also use special pliers. They differ from the convex head, which follows the contour of the sphere, but has a straight cutting edge.
Tweezers with a curved tip are needed to remove excess buds, dead leaves, and pluck out pine needles.

When indoor bonsai becomes a permanent hobby, and not a short-term hobby, you can purchase professional set tools.

Growing bonsai

The creation of a bonsai begins with the selection of a plant and the preparation of a container, soil for planting. Further, efforts will be required to achieve growth not of the crown, but of the trunk. Bonsai care consists not only in planting a plant and forming a crown, but also in observing other nuances.

Pot selection

Slanted styles require stable pots such as earthenware or ceramic pots. The container should not violate the integrity of the composition. For bonsai with a dense, spreading crown or several trunks, wide, shallow bowls are chosen. For plants with open roots, tall narrow pots are suitable. Narrow and deep containers resembling vases are suitable for cascading styles.

The pot must ensure the stability of the composition.

The height of the walls should not be less than the diameter of the trunk, the width should be 2/3 of the length of the plant. Drainage holes must be made in bonsai pots. If they are not available in clay or ceramic containers, drill them yourself. It is necessary to root the tree in a standard deep container. The process of initial formation takes about 2 years, after which the plant can be transplanted into a permanent bowl.

soil for bonsai

Growing bonsai requires poor soil. It slows down the growth of the plant. The optimal mixture is 1/3 of clay, and half of peat or rotted leaves, the rest is filled with coarse sand or small stones.

For deciduous trees, it is better to take 7 parts of clay soil and 3 - sand. For flowering - 6 parts of clay, 3 - sand, 1 part - leaf humus. For coniferous trees, a mixture of clay and sand is made in a ratio of 6: 4. Before use, the sand must be washed and calcined in the oven. It can be partially replaced with vermiculite.

It is better to collect the earth on your own in April, when the snow melts and the soil is almost thawed. Commercial mixtures usually include peat and garden fertilizers, so bonsai will grow intensively in them, and this is not necessary. Before use, the soil is disinfected by boiling it in a sieve and water for about 30 minutes or by calcining it in the oven.

First planting

When planting, the tree must be buried in the soil to thicken the trunk. At the same time, cut the root system, leaving only the roots growing to the sides. This must be done in the future with each transplant. The formation of a horizontal root system is required to slow growth.

Rooting should take place in a shaded place - bonsai does not like direct sunlight. After planting, the ground must be watered and tamped, then the plant must be quarantined for 10 days. Bonsai is isolated from other plants, to open air if necessary, teach gradually.

Accommodation

The required light intensity depends on the type of plant chosen. However, most trees do well in a well-lit area without direct sunlight. During the day, from 11.00 to 16.00, it is better to shade the plant, periodically turn it in different directions to the light. This is necessary for uniform formation.

If the plant does not have enough light, the shoots will be thin, the petioles will be elongated, the leaves will reach for the light. In this case, additional illumination with a fluorescent lamp or phytolamp will be required. Bonsai need to be protected from drafts.

Watering

In a shallow container, the soil dries out faster than in standard pots. When planting, the soil is compacted, so it may not absorb moisture well. In order for the earth ball to be well saturated, bonsai is usually watered by immersion.

To do this, the bowl is dipped completely into a container filled with water for a few seconds. If watered under the root, then until the water begins to appear through the drainage holes into the pan. Excess is drained after half an hour.

Between waterings upper layer the soil must dry out. In summer, it is necessary to water the bonsai often, sometimes daily, in winter - once a week poorly to avoid hypothermia of the soil. The frequency also depends on the needs of the plant - some species easily tolerate drought, while in others the leaves instantly lose turgor.

Blooming bonsai tree.

Water the bonsai in the morning or evening, avoiding water on the leaves in bright sunshine. Deciduous varieties need additional spraying. Water should be soft, filtered, suitable rain and melt. Its temperature should be several degrees higher than the air temperature in the room.

top dressing

Bonsai need to be fertilized throughout the year. In summer and autumn, top dressing is applied once a week, in winter and autumn - once a month. Suitable fertilizer for bonsai or regular for indoor plants. It must be diluted in proportions that are 2-3 times weaker than those recommended by the manufacturer.

Bonsai do not feed if the plant is weakened, just transplanted or pruned. Before and during flowering, fertilizing is also not necessary. Coniferous trees need to be fed 2 times less than other plants. Fertilizer is applied to the soil after watering.

Wireframe creation

The formation of the style should be started immediately after planting the tree in the primary pot. In order for the plant to acquire the desired shape, copper or aluminum wire is used. One end of the wire must be deepened and strengthened in the soil, and then wrapped around the trunk and branches with it, forcing it to grow in a given direction. Its thickness should be the same as the branches.

Select 3 main branches on the tree. To form the desired frame, you will need additional segments attached to the main wire. It should fit snugly against the trunk and branches, but not damage the bark. Its length should be at least 1.5 times the area to be wrapped.

For delicate branches, use a thinner wire in the winding. The frame is removed from the branches after 6-8 months, but the wire from the trunk - not earlier than after 1.5-2 years. After that, the bonsai is transplanted into a permanent bowl.

Bonsai transplant

The first transplant of a young tree is done in the second year of growth, in early spring. The plant is transplanted into a permanent bowl, again cutting all the roots going down. Transfer time at different varieties plants may vary, but usually the need is indicated by the appearance of buds. Flowering trees are transplanted after the end of the flowering period - in the fall.

Pruning the root system during transplantation.

Transplanting and pruning of the roots should be done when they have filled the entire pot. You can understand this by their germination in the drainage holes. Before removing the clod of earth, it is necessary to moisten it with plenty of water. If you have taken the plant out of the pot and realized that there is still room for the roots to develop, do not cut them, just replace the soil.

When transplanting with secateurs, the taproot and thick roots are removed if the ones growing to the sides are well developed. If the lateral roots are weak, then only a part of the core is removed, and those growing to the sides are formed with a wire. Thickened roots are left above the ground, which adds naturalness to the composition. The soil can be covered with a layer of green moss.

bonsai shaping

In order for an ordinary plant to acquire signs of a bonsai, it is necessary to start forming after transplanting into a permanent bowl. You can achieve a thickening of the trunk by slowing down the growth of the tree. To do this, resort to the following tricks:

Make cuts on the trunk, reducing the flow of juices. The tree releases juice to heal wounds and this slows down its growth.
The trunk is pulled with wire at a short distance from the ground. Due to this, the trunk becomes thicker, and the tree grows more slowly. The wire should compress only the upper tissues and interfere with blood circulation. When the trunk thickens above it, it is removed and transferred to another place.
To form a crown, branches are cut. Pinching and pruning is done in spring or throughout the year, depending on the plant.

Trimming and pinching

In the spring, after the appearance of new buds, all overlapping branches are cut off from the tree and young shoots are pinched at the level of 1-2 pairs of leaves. flowering plants do not pruning, waiting for the end of this period. The pruning tool is disinfected, the cut points are sprinkled with crushed coal.

Bonsai crown formation.

With intensive growth of shoots, periodic pruning throughout the year may be necessary. The more often this is done, the thicker and smaller the crown will be. Scissors remove too long branches that interfere with the overall composition.

Bonsai is a fascinating art that can be mastered at home. When the tree acquires the necessary shape and is planted in a permanent bowl, all that remains is to produce annual pruning of branches and periodic transplantation.

The ancient art of growing miniature trees is becoming more and more popular with us.

In the article we will talk about what types of decorative bonsai exist, and also find out what are the features of growing these dwarf trees.

How to divide bonsai

Over the many centuries of the existence of the art of growing Japanese (Chinese) trees in pots, several types of bonsai classifications have been identified.

To size

Allocate 5 main types. But within each species there are subspecies.

So, there are:

By number of stems

There are several forms of bonsai, depending on the number of plant stems.

One root, one tree. The most common style. It is he who is the basis for many different forms and types of bonsai.

When several trunks grow from one root. There are styles when several plants with individual roots grow in one container.

Styles

In any case, no matter what size or number of trunks, all bonsai are grown using certain techniques and rules that determine how each will look.

Did you know?Each style, in addition to the main name, also has a Japanese one, and each one sounds like a poem. For example, the literary style is "Dance of the Geisha in the Spring Breeze". Or broom style - "Perfect harmony in the soft air."

This is how the difference in bonsai styles arises. The difference in trunks and crowns is mainly taken into account.

These styles differ in the slope of the trunk, the direction of the branches, the combination and arrangement of several individuals in one container. The main styles of bonsai are "classic upright", "tilted tree" and "cascade". The remaining styles are variations of these three, differing only in the number of barrels, the angle of inclination, and the complexity of use.

Basic styles

We will describe in more detail the main styles of bonsai and consider their photos.

Chokkan (直幹, CHOKKAN)- single smooth, thickening downwards. Simulates a lone tree growing on flat ground. The branches are evenly spaced, the lower third of the trunk is bare. In front, the branches are removed to the upper third.

Moyogi (模様木MOYOGI)- imitates an old tree in the mountains, changed under the influence of time and weather. The trunk is curved, closer to the top, the bends decrease. The lower, most massive branch is exactly a third of the height, and the top is exactly at the level of the base. This style is used for beech, which, thanks to the shade, grows slowly. It begins to stretch towards the light and forms curves.

Sokan (双幹SOKAN). Two trees grow from one root. This style symbolizes a close couple - lovers, parent and child.

Shakan (斜幹 SHANKAN)- straight, but inclined at an angle to the base, as if under gusts strong wind. Symbolizes the will and thirst for life.

Important!To form the correct form of bonsai, it is necessary to adhere to the specific rules of harmony. For example, the proportions between the crown and the thickness of the trunk, the choice of the place where this tree will be placed.

Kengai (懸崖 KENGAI)- like a tree on the edge of a cliff, the plant grows down in the gorge. The top is well below the pot. The branches reach for the light.

semi-cascading

Han-kengai (半懸崖 HAN-KENGAI). The top is at the level of the container in which it grows. Similar to a tree that grows on the edge of a waterfall, a cliff.

Bunjingi (文人木 BUNJINGI)- neat, slightly sloping, with very few branches in the upper third.

Did you know? At the very beginning, Buddhist monks and priests grew bonsai, and only hundreds of years later they spread this art among the people.

Sekijoju (石上樹 SEKIJOJU)- wraps its roots around a round stone, holding tightly to the ground with its tips.

Ishitsuki (石付 ISHITZUKI). Grows right out of the stone. This is an illustration of the hardiness of the plant.

Hokidachi (箒立ちHOKIDACHI). Single trunk, crown in the form of a ball. Branches of uniform length.

Yose Ue (寄せ植え YOSE-UE). Depicts a group of trees growing in the same area - a forest, a grove. Includes usually an odd number of plants. In this style, the same types are combined, but different ages.

Bonsai is a small, one might say even a tiny tree, the fashion for growing which came to us from Japan. There, in the land of the rising sun, caring for miniature trees is considered an ancient tradition. Plants act as a kind of symbol of family happiness and well-being, therefore they solemnly pass from one generation to another. The trend of growing bonsai came to us relatively recently, but the main secrets and techniques of this art are already known. A small tree evokes a feeling of admiration, it attracts the eye with its unusualness, sophistication and miniature form. It is noteworthy that this type of plant is various kinds. Each is unique and beautiful, therefore it can become an ornament or a charming addition to any interior of a modern residential or office space.

Types of Bonsai Trees

A large number of bonsai trees are evergreen. Such plants create around themselves a warm atmosphere of comfort and coziness. An evergreen tree will delight the eye all year round, regardless of the weather outside. Intense emerald shades of bonsai leaves emphasize the charm of the emerging spring and the lush green surroundings of summer. They can also easily create a harmonious palette with yellow-crimson foliage in autumn and a bright contrast to snow-white winter. As the seasons change in nature, so do the species of tiny indoor trees. Some of them show themselves most effectively, dressing up the leaves in the colors of autumn, others impress with the delicate colors of spring flowering.

There are types of bonsai, all the beauty of which is fully revealed in the summer - rich shades of green soothe and seem to bring comfort to the house. Separately, it is worth noting the type of trees that differ from the rest in the bizarre shape of the branches and the trunk itself. Branches that bend and intertwine in different directions seem to create a unique pattern, hiding a certain secret in themselves. Looking at such a bonsai, especially when the tree has shed its leaves, one imagines either a violent current of the river, or rifts of sea waves, or ribbed clouds floating across the sky.

Basic shapes and styles of miniature trees

If you have fallen under the fascination of miniature trees that you can grow right at home, you should pay attention to the main possible forms and styles of this charming plant. Distribution into such categories occurred in natural conditions. Therefore, bonsai models repeat their form of growth in nature.

Syakan. Shakan is one of the most popular styles, characterized by the presence of an inclined trunk. A woody composition may have a thick or not very thick trunk inclined to the side, decorated on both sides with sprawling mini-crowns. Experienced collectors like to expose the roots of the plant, creating the illusion that the tree has been uprooted from the ground by a ferocious hurricane. The Syakan style is suitable for growing almost all types of trees (linden, pine, maple, thuja and others).

Soju. The simplest, respectively, easy to grow and form is the Soju style. To create it, several bonsai trees planted in one small space are enough. different forms and the size of the plants are harmoniously combined into a pretty enough Soju style for visual perception.

Tekkan. A Tekkan-style tree practically does not need to be shaped - it just grows and pleases others with its presence. Its main feature is the absence of singularities. This tree stretches upwards, creating simple and clear lines of outline. This form is the basis of many classic styles growing bonsai.

bancon. Probably the most bizarre and intricate style can rightly be called Bancon. It is expressed in the presence of a tight knot at the base of the tree. If you choose these styles of bonsai formation, you should know that ginkgo or ficus are most suitable here. Moreover, it is necessary to form the trunk when the plant is still very young, and the trunk itself is quite flexible. See photo gallery

Bunzings. Bunzings is a style that is quite complex in terms of the level of formation. Here there are turns of the trunk, frequent bends and inclination common line. Bonsai species such as pine or cedar are best suited for growing this style. An important condition for the formation is the old base of the trunk and the young upper part. The lower part is freed from branches, while the upper part remains densely branched.

Moyogi. Moyogi is another name for the irregular upright style. Its main difference from Tekkan is that the trunk can be bent in any direction at any place. As a rule, such trees are grown with several bends that form in the lower part of the trunk. In this case, the roots that are visible above the surface of the earth are a prerequisite. In this style, you can grow oak and maple, pine and juniper.

hokidachi. Broom-shaped Hokidati is a large crown on a flat trunk. For this style, such breeds as cypress, maple, zelkova, elm are recommended. Oak, willow or birch, on the contrary, are categorically not suitable. The branches and crowns of the tree should diverge in different directions, resembling a broom or a three-dimensional fan mounted on a handle.

Fukinagashi. The literal translation of the name of this style is a trunk in the wind. From this interpretation of the name, the shape of the plant immediately becomes clear. Form this style simple, but not quite the easy way- here it is necessary that both the branches and the trunk are directed in the same direction. The ideal choice for Fukinagashi would be birch or pine.

When choosing a bonsai as a houseplant, you should be aware that some species require special care, need to control the level of moisture, temperature and special formation. When growing, it is necessary, depending on the type of bonsai tree and its future style, to carry out timely pruning, pruning, pinching new shoots and tops, and removing dry branches. Subject to simple rules, it is easy to achieve the desired result and admire the miniature tree, the shape of which you created yourself.

You can plant bonsai yourself. The main thing is to choose the right plant so that it feels comfortable in environment. The cultivation technology is not at all complicated, but it requires regular monitoring of the formation, a lot of time and effort. Bonsai must be properly cared for. It is important to create an enabling environment for appearance and growth - light, humidity and air temperature, watering, soil.

The bonsai growing kit includes:

Instruction;
Pot;
Priming;
plant seeds;
Fertilizer.

Some kits have a wire and a special pallet in their completion. In principle - "any whim for your money."

You can buy a ready-made set in a store or order it online. In this case, you can at the same time choose any seeds at your discretion.

How long does a bonsai tree grow from seeds

The growth period of bonsai is determined according to the type of tree. Growing such a miniature tree from a seed at home will require a lot of effort and patience.

Bonsai growth periods:

Seed care. This process, on average, takes several years.
Germ care. From this point on, the process becomes more interesting.

All subsequent time, bonsai grows and pleases its creator. In Japan, such plants have been grown for centuries and millennia, passing the tree by inheritance. Some bonsai trees live up to 4,000 years.

The most durable are coniferous bonsai.

Today it is available to purchase a ready-made sprout and immediately plant it. In this case, you can save several years. But you will not receive guarantees that this is actually the same tree, and not a dwarf fake. The cost of a bonsai tree directly depends on the type of plant and how old it is. Seeds are inexpensive - from a few rubles apiece. And for comparison, a maple bonsai 30 cm high costs approximately 1,900 rubles, and the same plant 65 cm costs 11,900 rubles.

How to transplant a bonsai yourself: a step-by-step guide

Simultaneously with the transplantation of the tree, the soil and the bowl are replaced. Bonsai should be repotted approximately every 1-2 years, as evidenced by its appearance and growth process.

Bonsai Transplant Steps, Beginner's Guide:

Drainage holes should be reinforced;
Carefully clean the roots of the tree from the soil;
Place the bonsai in a new environment and spread the roots;
Cut the roots with scissors about 1/3 or step back from the edge of the bowl by 2 cm;
Place the plant firmly, pressing the soil with your fingers.

Plants under the age of 5 years should be transplanted every year in the spring. The soil is changed every time. First formative pruning of the tree after about 5 years. Bonsai, whose age is from 10 years old, should be transplanted once every 10-15 years.

Bonsai in the new soil cannot be succumbed to bright sunbeams during the first two weeks.

How to grow bonsai (video)

Bonsai has gained wide popularity in countries around the world. Needlework lovers could not help but notice such art. Miniature trees are made from various gem stones or beads. The process of making bonsai and stones is quite creative and difficult, requiring care with the use of imagination. Recreating the original in such a performance hides a mystery and a special energy.

The status of exclusivity and elite inherent in bonsai does not change today. High prices, many years of formation, labor and love invested in miniature copies of trees and shrubs endow them with a special magic. And if earlier bonsai was considered a status attribute of luxury, today it is spreading more and more, overcoming any cultural and social boundaries. And the choice of plants, types of bonsai is also becoming more representative every day. But not all varieties are suitable for those who are just starting to get acquainted with this amazing art.

Special plants for special owners

Bonsai are not houseplants, and it would be a big mistake to judge them by houseplant criteria. These are living works of art, a reduced copy of nature that you can bring into your home. In the maintenance and cultivation of bonsai, you need to constantly learn and improve yourself. And these special living masterpieces change themselves and change their owners. After all, in order to grow bonsai, you need to learn not only responsibility, but also selflessness, peace, detachment. At times, plant care procedures seem meditative (i.e. containing reflections, meditation) - manipulations with plants must be so precise and subtle.

Before you decide to take on the responsibility of a bonsai, you need to consider whether you are ready for this. Take care of him like any other houseplant, will not work. These special, human-shaped miniature copies that retain natural look and character, grown in flat bowls. Both a small amount of soil and the specifics of plant growth require a special approach to both watering and fertilizing, and even more so - to pruning and shaping. And the growing conditions will have to be selected very scrupulously. Noble and refined, valuable and special, bonsai will require special care from you.

Growing bonsai requires a very careful selection of species. There are not dozens, but hundreds of options, but the vast majority of plants on which they experiment with the art of bonsai prefer to grow in the fresh air - literally all year round. Species adapted to the indoor form of cultivation are relatively few. And even among them, most plants are crops that require Fresh air in the warm season and very difficult care.

Of course, there are also unpretentious favorites, and cultures are more hardy. The "habit" factor - that is, the conditions in which the plants grew before purchase - is very important. But ultimately, it is on whether you choose the right plant that initially feels good in the rooms, and your success in growing bonsai will depend.

Among all the types of bonsai that are common on our market today, we invite you to get acquainted with 6 plants that are best suited for indoor culture. These are not always non-capricious views, but in the rooms they feel quite good.

List best plants for bonsai see next page.