bonsai

Bonsai is the practice of cultivating small trees that resemble mature specimens in miniature form. The term bonsai is Japanese for "tray planting" and refers to the art of growing these trees in shallow containers. The technique originated in China, where it is known as penjing, and was refined in Japan before spreading worldwide.

Historically, penjing developed over centuries in China, emphasizing landscape scenes and diverse forms. In Japan, bonsai was shaped by gardeners and monks during the medieval and Edo periods, with formal styles and tools developed for shaping, pruning, and maintaining miniature trees. In the modern era, bonsai gained international popularity through exhibitions, clubs, and education.

Practices centers on controlling size and shaping the tree through pruning and wiring. Root pruning and repotting keep the growth manageable and the tree healthy, while branch pruning and selective defoliation influence branch density and silhouette. Trees are grown in shallow pots with well-draining soil to encourage a compact root system and stability. A combination of wiring, pruning, and seasonal care allows practitioners to cultivate a wide range of forms.

Common material includes juniper, pine, ficus, maple, elm, and azalea, among many others. Styles range from formal upright and informal upright to slant, cascade, semi-cascade, and windswept, with literati forms favoring elongated trunks and minimal foliage.

Care requirements vary by species but generally include regular watering, appropriate light, periodic fertilization during the growing season, and periodic repotting to refresh soil and limit root growth. Bonsai is often kept as a hobby, display art, or educational tool.