Others may call the bonsai tree a dwarf plant, but the name literally means "potted plant" that originally came from China. The name is a combination of two words, with 'bon' that means tray or dish and 'sai' which means tree or plant. This makes the tray or container the home for this miniature shrub.
The early specimens of this kind first appeared in China, more than a thousand years ago. Growing these specimen trees in pots has been considered as an expression of elements in harmony, between heaven and earth. Having one nearby is believed to bring peace and tranquility to whoever takes care of it. Buddhist monks are the first people to grow these inside their monasteries. The image of taking care of these potted plants evolved when it reached Japan, as cultivating these trees has been associated with the rich, Japanese elite and used to pose as a symbol of aristocracy, prestige and honor. Aside from taking care of their own bonsai trees at home, they also buy some more of these for display on special occasions.
Bonsai tree types include indoor bonsai, outdoor species divided into evergreen trees like junipers and pines and deciduous trees like maples, ginko and elms to name a few. Indoor ones are great gifts for beginner growers. Varieties of this type include serissa, fukien tea, sago palms, schefflera, aralias, brush cherry, gardenias, bougainvillea and money tree, among others. If there are species perfect for starters, Aged Specimen is the one that can make an excellent gift for bonsai enthusiasts.
On the other hand, outdoor species are those that can be placed outside of home like boxwoods, azaleas, most pines and junipers. The deciduous trees are the type that lose their leaves in the fall but will bud again in spring. Some of these types include larch, apricot, crabapple, ginkgo, maple and other elm species.
Taking care of the bonsai tree depends on their type. For indoor ones, these have to be brought outside, every morning to get at least four to six hours of sun exposure. They also have to be watered using a controlled amount of water so as not to rot the roots. For outdoor types, these should be protected against outside pests and animals, as well as being sheltered if needed to avoid too much cold temperature during winter.
As for the deciduous ones, they have to be watered every other day and be given fertilizers every few weeks with little exposure to direct sunlight especially during winter months.
Generally, these plants need to be transferred to another pot after a year or two, to trim the roots and allow the rest of the smallest ones to grow. It is important as well to place them in a container that has holes at the sides to let the excess water flow and to keep the soil properly hydrated. Keep the bonsai out of the sunlight in between its brightest hours, from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Too much sun exposure can dehydrate the plant and eventually kill these trees. In essence, taking care of it involves the balance of light, heat, humidity, fertilizer and water supply. This is where it goes back to having the bonsai tree around as a symbol of balance, calmness and tranquility around the house.
