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General Information................................................................................................

Bonsai (literally tray gardening) is the art of growing trees and plants, kept small by being grown in a pot and by the use of skilled pruning, formed to create an aesthetic shape and the illusion of age. The Chinese art of penjing is very similar to and is the precursor of the Japanese art of bonsai.

History................................................................................................

The art of bonsai originates from China over two thousand years ago, where it has been called penzai and written in the same Hanzi that gave rise to the Kanji above. It was brought to Japan 700 years ago. Bonsai spread to Korea during the Tang or Song Dynasty (the 7th - 13th century), and is now called Bunjae. The art is still practiced in China today, often under the name of penjing. As the Chinese art is intended for outdoor display the plants tend to be some what larger than seen in Japanese bonsai.

A bonsai trident maple
A bonsai trident maple growing
in the root over rock style
Cultivation................................................................................................

A bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant. It is kept small by shaping and root pruning. It is claimed that a properly maintained bonsai can outlive a full size tree of the same species. However, a bonsai needs much care, and an improperly maintained bonsai will probably die.

Artistry................................................................................................

In the art of bonsai a sense of aesthetics, care, and patience come together. The plant, the shaping and surface of the soil and the selected container come together to express "heaven and earth in one container" as the Japanese cliché has it. Three forces come together in a good bonsai: shin-zen-bi or truth, essence and beauty.
The usual plants used in Japan are varieties of pine, azalea, camellia, maple, beech, bamboo and plum. The plants are grown outdoors and brought in to the tokonoma at special occasions when they most evoke the current season.
The Japanese bonsai are meant to evoke the essential spirit of the plant being used: in all cases they must look natural and never show the intervention of human hands. Chinese penjing may more literally depict images of dragons or even be guided to resemble highly intricate Chinese characters, such as, "longevity", in various styles, but usually cursive.

A bonsai tree
A bonsai tree
Ginkgo as penjing
Ginkgo as penjing in the
Montreal Botanical Gardens

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bonsaiTALK Community
Updated :

One day trip to Los Angeles
are there any good bonsai nurseries in the area of LAX and UCLA?
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (jeff_quast)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:02:00 GMT

To buy or not to buy that is the question
Hello everyone, I am a new member here I visited the chicago botanical gardens about 2 weeks ago and saw some magnificent bonsai trees which sparked my interest in bonsai. I have been doing alot of reasearch since then and would really like to get a bonsai but winter is fast approaching... I want...
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (dkittl20)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:13:11 GMT

Going Collecting
I just found out that a 50 year old (at least) neighborhood is getting ready for development by apartments and they are trashing all of the landscaping. I'm taking my shovel and going digging! There is a Wisteria with a trunk diameter of 10" that I have my eye on. It just rained so I might be...
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (shadytrake)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:11:03 GMT

Carolina Bonsai Expo 2008
Well, number thirteen of the CBE event is now a memory. Funny how good old number 13 struck once again (I was born on the 13th, go figure). Anyway, the scheduled guest artist, Nick Lenz, had some unforeseen medical issues that made travel impossible for him. Luckily, Bonsai Curator...
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (John Dixon)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:56:55 GMT

Bensenville/Chi Ohare collecting
Has anyone from chicagoland area thought of trying to get permission to collect some landscape trees from the residential Bensenville expansion area? I understand that the city of Chicago has permission to demolish homes they have bought in Bensenville to make way for a larger airport. I have not...
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (redvw5)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:55:18 GMT

Trees found in the States w/ Bonsai Potential
Might not be asking this correctly, but hope you get the gist If Bonsai originated in the United States, what trees would be the most popular in Bonsai Today? Which trees found in the U.S. have the most potential. 3 come to my mind 1. CA Juniper 2. Manzanita 3. Oak
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (yenling)
Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:25:18 GMT

olive construction
Can any plant nerds out there share some of their wisdom with me on what you would do with this wild caught olive. About half way up the trunks lean back fairly heavily, looks like it would possibily suit a broom style. I would love to recieve some advice from some learned bonsai engineers or...
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (yoshsida)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:59:25 GMT

Fall Repotting
Does anyone do any fall repotting as a norm? Landscapers, arborists, nurseries all recommend fall planting for new trees. Why don't we? What about trees that are in the ground, but need to be lifted to control root growth? Thanks, Vic N.
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (vln1502)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:55:26 GMT

[GLBS] President's Corner
by John Callaway We had a great month of bonsai during September.  A big thanks to Julian Adams for his great lecture and accompanying workshop.  He put together a great program, and I'm sure we all learned a lot.  If you missed the Julian Adams workshop you can learn more about him by...
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (Bonsai News)
Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:00:01 GMT

trees for sale
I have a few trees looking for a good home. Please take a look. I have the link in my signature if you are interested. Please email or pm with any questions or offers. Thanx! tl
Author : forums@forum.bonsaitalk.com (xghostx)
Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:19:19 GMT

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