Bonsai Plant styles and its Placement in the Pot

                 Bonsai Plant Styles and its Placement in the Pot

Bonsai plants have many styles. Each style is taken from Nature. We are placing these miniature trees in our Bonsai pots. when we are potting in a Bonsai pot. they must be properly placed. Each style's position of placement is different. The canopy of the style must be accommodated within the range of the pot. If we are placing formal upright style in the center of the pot, the canopy, and all the branches will fall within the pot. if you are placed the bonsai plant at one corner of the right-hand side corner of the pot, the branches of the right-hand side will fall outside the pot. then the placement is not correct. It won't look like a Bonsai tree. 

              

     

For Formal upright style, Informal upright style, Bunjin style and multitrunked style placement of the Bonsai plant will be in the center a little backward from the center leaving viewing space in front of the plant, It gives depth to a bonsai tree.

Wind Swept Style

For wind-swept and slanting styles the preferred shape of the pot is rectangular or oval, placement of the plant is at one side right or left depending on the side of the branches, if the branches are towards the left placement is on the right side. If the trunk movement is towards the right side placement of the plant is on the left side. Any time the plant movement should be inside the pot.

        

   

Watering Schedule for Bonsai plants

 Watering Schedule

A watering schedule is very important for the plant's proper root growth Because when the roots are healthy the plant will be healthy. Water contains oxygen and hydrogen molecules. The supply of oxygen from vascular tissue to the whole body of the plant depends on the moist level of the soil. 

The watering schedule depends on many factors like

Species of the plant, Seasons of that time, The region or country where the plant is growing, and The ingredients used in Soil for proper drainage, the size of the Bonsai pot, the health of the plant.

Species of Plants, if the plant is coniferous like pine and evergreen plants growing in temperate temperatures need 2 to 3 times a week in the freshly repotted plants for two to three months. then once a week to the plant.  The moist level of humidity in weather in temperate zones is high, so the water evaporation from the soil is very less. then the plants won't need frequent watering.

The Bonsai soil also plays a big role in holding water. If the soil is having well drainage and moisture-holding capacity, once-a-day watering is needed in the Asian Tropical region. The Tropical regions away from the coastal place are having dry weather. So the frequency of watering is more because the dry and less humidity in weather makes the soil dry quickly.

The Big Bonsais will be in big pots, and the down portion of the soil will remain wet all day. The medium and mame Bonsai are in small pots. they won't hold water for more time. Then the watering schedule is different.

Just re-potted Bonsai plants need care because lots of root cutting makes the plant weak. During that time moist soil allows the plant to come out of the stress and gain energy to produce new leaves and new roots.

The main factor of watering is there should not be more water or less water. 
The soil in the pot should be watered thoroughly without any dry places. Once the plant is watered the extra water should come out of the drainage holes in a few seconds. 

To check the correct moisture level of the soil in the pot, put a finger in the soil, if the soil is wet, there is no need to water it. If the soil is dry water the plant. Once the plant is settled in bonsai soil, allow the plant to dry out soil in between waterings. Water is the main source of energy for the plant to grow happily.

The Art of Kosamono

 The Art of Kusamono and Shitakusa are beautiful Horticultural hobbies. This Month's Bonsai Lovers workshop meeting topic was about learning Kusamono and Shitakusa art.

Kusamono art was developed by Japanese Bonsai artists a very long time ago. Actual meaning of Kusamono is grass. Bonsai artists are nature lovers, they used to style their Bonsai plants as natural as they grow in nature. When we observe a forest or wild trees growing in Nature we will notice some wild grasses growing underneath the big huge trees. Bonsai artists started collecting these grasses and placing them along with Bonsai plants in a separate pot for display. That brings a more Natural look to the Bonsai Tree which is displayed in the Toconoma corner or on a display stand. Kusamono can be made with a single plant or with a group of plants.

Kusamono is known as accent grasses / supporting grasses. This Kusamono Art came along with Bonsai a long way. In its own form, Kusamono Art has taken changes. Many times, Kusamono artists display their creations independently in unique pots, showing a separate identity Kusamono Art. Sometimes Kusamono displayed separately will be more than five feet. kusamono is another hobby of garden lovers so they can showcase their creations independently or along with Bonsai plants.

Shitakusa means under a tree, meaning grasses growing under a tree.. Shitakusa artists create their creations only to place them along with a bonsai tree. In making Shitakusa Art the grass selection, seasons, pot selection, and height of shitakusa all have to be kept in mind.

Selection : Grass selection is the shitakusa made to go along with the species of Bonsai, for example if Bonsai is an evergreen plant the selection of grass should be of that zone , if a Shitakusa to be placed with a tropical tree the grass of Shitakusa should be of tropical region. The grasslands growing under a huge tree depend on that region and climate. We are following Nature and observing its species, studying the nature of plants and grasslands growing around that surroundings to make a proper attractive shitakua. Kusamono and shitakusa can be made with annual or perennial plants. Some Kusamono creations can stay more than 8 years.

Seasons: Making and Placing Shitakusa also depends on seasons. Nature plays a big role in growing plants. Some plants will have flowers during summer and some plants develop beautiful colourful leaves during spring time. During the summer display, we can place grasses or small tiny plants that will come during that season. During the Springtime display of shitakusa with Bonsai plants should be of spring plants, that means the grasses growing in spring season will be displayed along with Bonsai.

Size and Orientation of Shitakusa: Size of Shitakusa along with the Bonsai plant is to be relatively small. And orientation of Shitakusa is position and placement should be proper to have balance between these two Plants, without dominating one another. Then Total Display will give a pleasing look in a Tokamono or in Bonsai exhibitions.

Maintenance: Regular Maintenance of Kusamono or Shitakusa is very important. Maintenance includes regular watering depending on the needs of the plant, removing dried leaves and checking for insects. Fertilizing with mild liquid fertilizer once in a month is the key for healthy growth of the plants.

Golden Bottle Brush Bonsai Shaping and Repotting

https://youtu.be/vaXc7zJRHik https://youtu.be/x65XPdml990 Melalueca Linarifolia is a Hardy tropical plant . It can be made in to Bonsai plant. It looks pretty with its hanging copper colored small long leaves. it gives a stunning and great look to the plant. Native plant of Australia. We are cultivating this tree in India. It is also called as paperback tree means its bark looks like its outer covering comes out in thin layers. It a ever green tree grows up to 30 to 40 feet. The life span of these trees is more than 100 years. It is also called as called as Honey Myrtles, or tea trees. it is called as Honey myrtle because it produces small white flowers which contains plentiful nectar. It has beautiful yellowish light red colour leaves, they give a beautiful fresh look to the plant. when we crush these leaves a strong aroma comes out just like Eucalyptus plant leaves. These leaves are used tea tree oil which is used in cosmetics and medicines. It is also called as Golden Bottle Brush and copper bottle Brush because of its copper colour of the leaves. The colour of leaves. This is my favorite plant because of its small leaves. Golden Myrtle Characters Before making as a Bonsai first we see its characters and growing style of this plant. This plant usually comes under trees and grow up to 15 meters or 30 to 40 feet.. Branches are slender and will be in weeping style, with a gentle blow of wind gives the leaves a movement of pleasant sight. Light This plant needs sunlight and keep away from summer sun heat. Golden Myrtle can be grown in partial shade also. if the plant is kept for more time in shade the leaves turn in to green colour. Soil Melalueca Linarifolia can be grown in any type of soil. its prefers little loamy soil and moist soil for its proper growth. Soil should be well drained soil, but with having some moist holding capacity. It wont prefer soggy soils. It doesn't grow well in dry soil conditions. if the soil is dry we can see more dried branches. Root Roots are fibrous roots A minute damage while repotting gives the plant a shock and it can kill the plant. Propogation Propogation mainly by branch cuttings and seeds. Flowering Flowering season is spring . Flowers are very small and not attractive. once the flowering season is over cutting and pruning of the branches can be done. Watering Tea tree needs more water because to stay on its moist side plant needs more water. Once in a day during winter , spring and in summer months twice a day . If the weather is too hot and temperature are more move the plant to littlie shade and protect the plant from burnt leaves situation due to hot sun. Especially if the plant is growing in a Bonsai pot. Fertilizer It needs organic and liquid fertilizer, But not strong fertilizers.

Fertilizers for a Bonsai plant to have healthy Growth

 Fertilizers for a Bonsai plant to have healthy Growth 

Gardening for me is an excellent Hobby to keep myself in a positive way and keep occupied  with plants. Bonsai is my love and I can say it's like the art of meditation to me. Bonsai means not only cutting, pruning and repotting , it the way of life relaxing back , watching them and enjoying the way they are growing. When the  bonsai starts flowering or fruiting the pleasure of doubles, its a feast on eyes. There is lots of hard work behind growing Bonsai is regular maintenance  and it is more important to have  a healthy growth in the plant. 

During this journey the plant needs lots of fertilizers, for that they are two types of fertilizers . 

One is organic and the second is inorganic.  Both are important.  When we do repotting after some time the fertility of the soil reduces because nutrients taken by the plant. Because plant is growing in the limited soil of the pot. To have proper growth, fertilizers play an important role in the plant development. Organic fertilizer like cow dung,  seaweed, or neem cake fertilizer takes lots of time to mix with the soil. So the frequency of providing fertilizer will be once in three months. 

Inorganic fertilizer is like instant food for plants. There are two types, one is the main fertilizer like NPK. That is nitrogen,  phosphorus and potassium.. After repotting NPK is important for good root growth and healthy growth in the shoot system. This chemical fertilizer is water soluble and should be used in dilute quantities once in a month. 

 Then liquid multinutrient fertilizer is also needed for the plant . Before using liquid fertilizer read the instructions carefully and start using once in a month. NPK and liquid fertilizer to be used alternatively once in fortnight. All these fertilizers help the plant to have complete growth and help the plants to have healthy growth and good quality of flowers and fruits.

 

Below link is Complete video of fertilizing a Bonsai plant.

https://youtu.be/mvsyYv0CHhg

      

Suiseki Art Appreciating Stones And learning about How to display stones

Our Bonsai Lovers Group monthly Workshop on Suiseki Art Appreciating Stone Art on Sunday was attended by many Bonsai and suiseki Lovers.

Make a Rose Plant As Bonsai

Make Rose plant as Bonsai.

Tips : Regular fertilization NPK once in a month, Organic manure once in three Months and organic liquid fertilizers once in 15 days. Slow releasing fertilizers are also good. once flowering is over cut dried flowers and give some aeration to the soil by digging top soil. change the soil once in a year depending on the root growth of the plant.

 https://www.youtube.com/kapilaas 

Shaping Ficus Microcarpa stage wise

Literati StyleThuja Orientalis

 Thuja orientalis is an evergreen plant and coniferous variety, good for making as Bonsai because of its needle like leaves it gives a beautiful style to the plant.it belongs to cypress. It bears cones and the wood is soft wood. Leaves have medicinal value. This video shows a detailed transformation of a wild plant to a pleasant looking Bonsai .The plant is as tall as 6 feet and has a very hardy trunk line. It was very difficult to bend it easily. The plant was given an angle by bending towards the right side. Then Two slits were made to give a movement to the trunk line. Then they are covered with a tape because when bending the trunk line there will be stress on the plant and there are chances of breaking down the trunk. Trunk line is wired with a heavy gauged wire and bent with a wire tied to the crown of the trunk and at the base of the trunk and slowly by twisting the wire the entire trunk bends down like a bow. Canopy was made by wiring the branches with proper gauged wires. Then Styling of the plant was done. It was given a good looking literati style Bonsai, After cutting and pruning this plant will go through lots of stress. To keep the plant healthy, repotting will be after six months once the plant comes out of its stress and has a healthy growth. For Literati or Bunjin style, a round shaped pot is suitable.

Before and After

Detailed Video of transformation of Thuja orientalis

Terrarium Making step by step - Part Three

This is our Bonsai lovers group Monthly Work shop Video of Terrarium. Plants and materials needed for Terrarium Terrarium Soil is different . we need a sterile soil for closed terrarium. Video of making Terrarium soil is available in Below link. List of plants are also given. https://youtu.be/g4ZngJww-xw https://youtu.be/ZObQqEoxcg0 Plants that can be preferable for terrarium First and most important is plants which we are selecting should have small leavesand moisture loving plants for closed terrariums. Jade Cup ficus Ginseng ficus paperomia many varieties are suitable zamia aglonima orchids airplant moss terrarium drawf ferns fern tree drawf palm fittonia drawf pedilanthus some more are there . i will add them