This is the classical bonsai subject in Japan — and the world over, for that matter. Pines make erect growing, stately trees, with powerful and tall trunks that often have bark flaking off in solid plates. Pines are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, usually in arid and mountainous places. There are many other trees with the word ‘pine’ in their names that are not Pines at all, and this can make identification and selection confusing at times.
Pine foliage is in the form of needles. Usually these are in bundles of twos or fives, and although some species have bundles of just one, three or even four, these are not often found in bonsai. Some Pines have needles that are very long or that are curved; neither characteristic makes them suitable for bonsai. Colour varies quite considerably. [click to continue…]
We have all at least once in our lives been fascinated by the trees that we pass. Their beauty, their majesty can only inspire us.
Some are content to just watch. Others want to understand how a tree works.
Here at Bonsai Pictures we will try to answer this question, at least in part, the subject is so vast, a comprehensive study would require pages and pages.
A tree, what is it?
To bear the name, certain qualities are required. You must be a plant consisting of roots, trunk (s) and the branches. In addition, the plant must be either a dicotyledonous Angiosperms, one Gymnosperm.
But this does not prevent us from giving this name to those that we grow in pots. The growth of this plant is in height and diameter throughout its whole existence. Branches elongate, new branches are created and later converted into branches.
The growth takes place mainly in spring but also in summer. It is composed (from bottom to top) roots, a crown, a trunk and a crown or crowns.
Branch pruning
First things first, always use very sharp tools, ideally sterilised by immersing them in methylated spirits for a few minutes.
If you do not have any proper bonsai tools, use sharp pruners make sure that the non-cutting blade is furthest furthest away from the trunk. It will heal more neatly if you create a slight hollow in the exposed wood.
Clean up the edges of the wound with a very sharp knife. Seal the wound thoroughly, especially around the edges try mixing a little olive oil with grafting wax or modelling clay, this does the job of sealing very nicely. [click to continue…]
