Bonsai
Boy of New York - Bonsai Trees Make Great Gift Ideas!
Bonsai
Boy of New York is a family operated, certified New York State nursery.
As tree growers, we maintain superior product quality and offer our bonsai
trees and other accessories at low wholesale prices. Our goal is to delight
our customers beyond their expectations.
- Juniper
Trees
- Flowering Bonsai Trees
- Bonsai Under $30.00 Medium Trees
- Large Bonsai Trees Extra Large Bonsai Trees
Risk Free:
Ordering from us is risk-free. If you are not satisfied with your tree
when you receive it, return it within a week of receipt and we will provide
you with a replacement, exchange or full refund.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bonsai
Practiced for centuries in China and Japan, bonsai is the reproduction
of natural tree forms in miniature. Bonsai trees are living miniature
trees which increase in beauty and value as they mature over the years.
How
often should I water my bonsai tree?
Unlike a houseplant, bonsai trees use a "free draining" type
of soil because their roots cannot tolerate "wet feet". In addition,
they are grown in significantly less soil and, therefore require more
watering. Factors such as tree location, temperature, lighting conditions,
quantity of soil used, and the changing seasons will determine the frequency
of watering. You can get to know when your tree needs to be watered by
observing the foliage, testing the soil with your index finger just below
the surface, or just by the weight of the pot. (The drier the tree, the
lighter it will feel.) To take the guesswork out of watering, we recommend
an inexpensive moisture meter which works very much like a thermometer.
Insert it into the soil and the movement of the needle will tell you if
it is time to water.
How
often should I fertilize my bonsai tree?
Because bonsai trees are cultivated in limited amounts of soil, adequate
feed is very important. As a general rule, a small amount of feed is given
in the spring and a larger amount in the fall. Feed for bonsai should
contain three principle ingredients; nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash.
It is also a good idea to use a fertilizer containing "chelated"
iron. Water before fertilizing your tree and then apply at half the strength
recommended by the brand's manufacturer. We rotate the use of brands since
different manufacturers add different amounts of trace elements and minerals.
We also add Superthrive which is a vitamin supplement to our fertilizer
mix. You may find it simpler and easier to use slow release fertilizer
granules (placed over the soil) whose nutrients are released with each
watering.
How
often should I mist my bonsai tree?
All trees grow in more humid conditions than our homes, offices and dormitories.
So what can we do to provide this essential humidity ? Misting the tree
is only beneficial for a short time, so what we recommend is to place
the tree on a humidity tray and add water to the tray. As the water in
the tray evaporates it creates a humid environment around the tree 24
hours a day. When the water in the tray is gone, add more water. It's
a good idea to separate the pot from the water in the tray by adding some
pebbles to the bottom of the tray. This will prevent any roots from sitting
in the water.
How
much sunlight is required for my bonsai tree?
Sunlight, especially the ultra-violet ray, affects the growth of trees.
Therefore, except in special cases such as immediately after repotting,
extensive trimming, etc, bonsai should be placed in a sunny location.
Bright light will also work well but the tree should not be placed more
than 12" away from the direct light source. An east, west or southern
exposure works best. A northern exposure will require the use of "grow
lights" which should remain on up to 16 hours each day and the lamp
should not be more than 2 inches from the top of the tree. Incandescent
light is too hot and will not provide the various spectrum of light that
is required to maintain your bonsai tree. If you do not have a window
or light source that provides an east, west or southern exposure, be sure
to select a bonsai tree that does well in lower lighting conditions.
How
is miniaturizing a tree possible?
No one single technique is adequate to make a tree small. The fact that
the tree is grown in a container, the trimming, pruning, repotting and
other care given the tree -- all contribute to the final result of limited
growth. Dwarf trees are often found in a natural environment, but in bonsai
this environment is provided artificially. Bonsai are grown in shallow
containers the size of which determines the amount of soil the roots are
able to grow in. This environment definitely restricts the growth of the
roots and its functions.
How
do I trim and prune my bonsai?
The main objective of trimming and pruning is to shape the bonsai into
the desired form and to reduce growth above ground in order to maintain
a balance with root growth. The process of shaping begins when the tree
is very young and is on-going as it continues its growth. Trimming is
accomplished by using a sharp scissors or shears. This traditional tool
is called butterfly shears or bonsai shears and is used for removing foliage
and light branches. When heavier branches are removed, we call it pruning
and the tool to use is the concave cutter, for which there is no substitute.
The concave cutter allows you to remove small, medium and even large branches
without leaving any visible scars. Some trees such as the Juniper should
be trimmed by using the thumb and index finger to remove new growth and
to prevent browning and a "sheared" appearance.
How
do I prevent diseases and insects from infecting my bonsai?
As living trees, bonsai are susceptible to insect attacks and disease.
Preventive and corrective measures include (a) keeping your bonsai in
good health, since insects and bacteria tend to attack weak trees, (b)
giving your tree ample light, fresh air and ventilation, (c) keeping the
soil free of spent blooms and fallen leaves etc. You may also use an insecticidal
soap spray which is not harmful to humans or animals. This soap derivative,
however, may require more than one application to control the insect population.
It's also a good idea to use this spray weekly to prevent any attacks.
How
do I train my bonsai?
Wiring, a relatively modern method of training bonsai trunks and branches
into the desired forms, has become commonly accepted. It is often used
in place of, or in conjunction with the traditional methods of long-term
pruning and hemp-rope binding. Copper wire that has first been annealed
in a low-temperature fire is preferred. After it has cooled, it is wrapped
around the branches in the direction the branch is to be bent. The branch
should be bent once into its final position so as not to harm the cambium
layer under the bark. The wire should be wrapped taut, but not too tight,
and should be removed just before it bites into the branch -- between
6 and 12 months. The wire is removed with a bonsai wire cutter by snipping
the wire at each turn, thereby allowing the cut pieces to fall to the
ground. Never unwind the wire or use pliers to cut the wire, since this
will damage the branches.
What
is bonsai soil and why is it used for bonsai?
As noted previously, potted trees do not do well in soil that is always
wet. Potting soil and top soil are heavy soils that can remain wet for
weeks. Bonsai soil is a mixture of ingredients which allows the water
to drain freely and at the same time, retain moisture. In addition, the
ingredients allow the roots to breathe air and prevent compaction. There
are two basic types of bonsai soil -- a conifer mix and a tropical/sub/tropical
mix. Before adding any soil mixture, be sure to cover the drainage hole(s)
with screening to prevent the soil from washing out of the pot. When re-potting,
it is always best to use the soil mixture in its dry state.
How
often should I re-pot my bonsai tree?
All potted plants will eventually outgrow their containers. While houseplants
need to be "up-potted", that is, placed in larger and larger
containers, we maintain the miniaturization of a bonsai tree by keeping
the roots confined to the small container. On average, repotting will
be necessary every 3-5 years, but the tree should be removed from its
container and its root system inspected once a year. If the roots form
a circular ball around the perimeter of the pot, it is time to trim the
roots and repot. When repotting remember to (a) use only bonsai soil (b)
remove air pockets by working the soil down through the roots (c) do not
remove more that 20% of the root system (d) repot during the appropriate
repotting season (e) water well and keep out of the sun for a week or
two.
A Japanese word meaning "tray-planted," bonsai refers either to dwarf trees or to the art of training and growing the miniaturized trees in containers. Bonsai may be either conifers with small needles or deciduous plants with small leaves. Some bonsai are small-flowered or small-fruit trees. Good bonsai can be kept outdoors all year long.
The overall artistic effect is of great significance in growing the trees. Everything must be proportional: the size of the tree, its leaves or needles, its flowers or fruit, and the container in which it grows. The containers, especially, must be chosen to harmonize in size, shape, and color with the tree.
Japanese gardenia
Bonsai
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There are four sizes of bonsai: miniature, small, medium, and average. Miniatures range up to only 2 inches (5 centimeters) in height. Started from seeds or cuttings, they mature in about five years. Small bonsai are from 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimeters) and take from five to ten years to train. Medium bonsai are from 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters), and average bonsai are up to 2 feet (0.6 meter); both sizes can be produced in as little as three years.
The bonsai are dwarfed by pruning roots and branches. Their shapes are controlled by wiring the trunk and branches. The wires must be removed before the bark becomes scarred.
Bonsai originated in China more than 1,000 years ago, but it has been pursued and developed by the Japanese. A bonsai industry of considerable size exists in certain sections of Japan. It has also become popular in many parts of the world.
The art of raising bonsai--dwarfed potted trees--has enabled the Japanese to admire nature in an indoor setting. Bonsai are able to bear fruit and to drop their leaves in season, thus reproducing nature in miniature. A skillful bonsai artist can prune, bend, and shape branches to suggest trees standing tall and upright in a field or bent and gnarled by age or weather. The beauty of a natural landscape is evoked in the viewer's imagination.
Bonsai first appeared in China over a thousand years ago on a very basic scale, known as pun-sai, where it was the practice of growing single specimen trees in pots. These early specimens displayed sparse foliage and rugged, gnarled trunks which often looked like animals, dragons and birds. There are a great number of myths and legends surrounding Chinese bonsai, and the grotesque or animal-like trunks and root formations are still highly prized today. Chinese bonsai come from the landscape of the imagination and images of fiery dragons and coiled serpents take far greater precedence over images of trees- so the two forms of this art are quite far apart.
With Japan's adoption of many cultural trademarks of China - bonsai was also taken up, introduced to Japan during the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) by means of Zen Buddhism - which at this time was rapidly spreading around Asia. The exact time is debatable, although it is possible that it had arrived in AD 1195 as there appears to be a reference to it in a Japanese scroll attributed to that period. Once bonsai was introduced into Japan, the art was refined to an extent not yet approached in China. Over time, the simple trees were not just confined to the Buddhist monks and their monasteries, but also later were introduced to be representative of the aristocracy - a symbol of prestige and honour. The ideals and philosophy of bonsai were greatly changed over the years. For the Japanese, bonsai represents a fusion of strong ancient beliefs with the Eastern philosophies of the harmony between man, the soul and nature.
In an ancient Japanese scroll written in Japan around the Kamakura period, it is translated to say : "To appreciate and find pleasure in curiously curved potted trees is to love deformity". Whether this was intended as a positive or negative statement, it leaves us to believe that growing dwarfed and twisted trees in containers was an accepted practice among the upper class of Japan by the Kamakura period. By the fourteenth century bonsai was indeed viewed as a highly refined art form, meaning that it must have been an established practice many years before that time.
Bonsai were brought indoors for display at special times by the 'Japanese elite' and became an important part of Japanese life by being displayed on specially designed shelves. These complex plants were no longer permanently reserved for outdoor display, although the practices of training and pruning did not develop until later - the small trees at this time still being taken from the wild. In the 17th and 18th century, the Japanese arts reached their peak and were regarded very highly. Bonsai again evolved to a much higher understanding and refinement of nature - although the containers used seemed to be slightly deeper than those used today. The main factor in maintaining bonsai was now the removal of all but the most important parts of the plant. The reduction of everything just to the essential elements and ultimate refinement was very symbolic of the Japanese philosophy of this time - shown by the very simple Japanese gardens such as those in the famous temple - Roan-ji.
At around this time, bonsai also became commonplace to the general Japanese public - which greatly increased demand for the small trees collected from the wild and firmly established the artform within the culture and traditions of the country.
Over time, bonsai began to take on different styles, each which varied immensely from one another. Bonsai artists gradually looked into introducing other culturally important elements in their bonsai plantings such as rocks, supplementary and accent plants, and even small buildings and people which itself is known as the art of bon-kei. They also looked at reproducing miniature landscapes in nature - known as sai-kei which further investigated the diverse range of artistic possibilities for bonsai.
Finally, in the mid-19th century, after more than 230 years of global isolation, Japan opened itself up to the rest of the world. Word soon spread from travelers who visited Japan of the miniature trees in ceramic containers which mimicked aged, mature, tall trees in nature. Further exhibitions in London, Vienna and Paris in the latter part of the century - especially the Paris World Exhibition in 1900 opened the world's eyes up to bonsai.
Due to this phenomenal upsurge in the demand for bonsai, the now widely expanding industry and lack of naturally-forming, stunted plants led to the commercial production of bonsai by artists through training young plants to grow to look like bonsai. Several basic styles were adopted, and artists made use of wire, bamboo skewers and growing techniques to do this - allowing the art to evolve even further. The Japanese learnt to capitalize on the interest in this artform very quickly - opening up nurseries dedicated solely to grow, train and then export bonsai trees. Different plants were now being used to cater for worldwide climates and to produce neater foliage and more suitable growth habits. Bonsai techniques such as raising trees from seed or cuttings and the styling and grafting of unusual, different or tender material onto hardy root stock were further developed.
Bonsai has now evolved to reflect changing tastes and times - with a great variety of countries, cultures and conditions in which it is now practiced.
In Japan today, bonsai are highly regared as a symbol of their culture and ideals. The New Year is not complete unless the tokonoma - the special niche in every Japanese home used for the display of ornaments and prized possessions - is filled with a blossoming apricot or plum tree. Bonsai is no longer reserved for the upper-class, but is a joy shared by executive and factory worker alike.
The Japanese tend to focus on using native species for their bonsai - namely pines, azaleas and maples (regarded as the traditional bonsai plants). In other countries however, people are more open to opinion.
The evolution of bonsai over the past two centuries is truly amazing - now a well known and respected horticultural artform that has spread throughout the world from Greenland to the U.S. to South Africa to Australia. It is constantly changing and reaching even greater heights, representative of how small the world is really getting.
Bonsai Boy of New York - Bonsai Trees Make Great Gift Ideas!