BUYING GUIDES..since 1995
|
GALT HOME:
Internet Guides - Finance - Audio/Video - Travel - Household/DIY - Health - Cars - Fashion - Sports - Entertainment - Cell Phones |
| MENU: Technology and Internet Guides | Travel | Health | Household | Sports ...independent online guides since 1995 |
History of Bonsai TreesWhat is a bonsai tree? The word bonsai means "tray planting", as in growing and keeping a plant or tree inside a small tray or pot. The art form orgininated in China and came to Japan in the 1100s, where it was perfected and has since become known to the rest of the world. Bonsai trees are not dwarf versions of regular trees. They are simply pruned and shaped to get them into their desired size and form, often using wire to help control their look. Often the roots are pruned as well, and new growth is pinched off to maintain the required look. Bonsai trees can range from just a few inches tall to nearly 3 feet tall for old, mature specimens. Some bonsais live for hundreds of years, being passed down across families and generations. In fact many of the trees you can buy for just $40 or $50 are nearly 20 years old, having been nurtured for a long time before coming to you. Keep in mind that bonsai trees are not like your average house plants - they require much more attention to fertilized and watering and light and warmth and humidity controls. In this guide we will take a look at buying and caring for a bonsai tree, with information on the best places to buy bonsai trees and supplies.
Bonsai TreesSome of the most popular types of trees and shrubs used in bonsai are bamboo, plums, pines, azaleas, elms, and maples. Technically, bonsais come in several different styles: cascade, semi-cascade, slanting, informal upright, and upright. The Internet has really opened up the world of availability when it comes to bonsai trees. You no longer have to hope that a local nursery has a bonsai expert and ready inventory. You can shop online for bonsai trees and have them shipped to you, and you can find online forums for help and advice when it comes to choosing and maintaining your own bonsai tree. Let's start with BonsaiSite.com. We think this is probably the best overal bonsai resource on the Internet. They cover everything from the history of bonsai trees to photo galleries to books, tools, stands, seeds, forums, and much more. Be sure to visit their forum section to get advice and share in the experience of other experienced bonsai gardeners. Also check out JoeBonsai.com. They sell bonsai trees, pots, books, tools, fertilizer, you name it. If you have a bonsai person in your life, you will also like their collection of bonsai-related gifts, ranging from gift certificates to seed kits and t-shirts. When it comes to actual trees, they offer things like: Chinese Elm Bonsai, 18" tall and 15 years old, for $129; a Bonsai Juniper Tree For $99, 18 years old, 10 inches tall with 17 inch spread; an even larger 24 year old Juniper for $200, 16 inches tall; or a smaller 4 year old "tree in training", $30 for this little pre-wired Juniper; or a Ficus Bonsai, $109 for a 19" tall specimenThey guarantee your tree will arrive alive and healthy, or you can get a replacement within 7 days -- in fact they claim they have never had a tree damaged in shipment. Wow!Bonsai Tools and SuppliesProper care for bonsai trees requires more time and experience than it does a lot of fancy tools and supplies. A lot of bonsai tools are made in Japan, which some consider to be the best. The main pruning tools you'll find are scissors and shears/cutters -- you might also need a grafting knife if you are into advanced bonsai horticulture. The best are hand crafted, and are called "handmade" scissors, but they are much more expensive than the lower quality forged or intermediate scissors you can buy. As an example, you can pay almost $300 for Masakuni professional heavy duty shears, or $270 for a professional grade Masakuni grafting knife (all available at DallasBonsai.com). There are also wire tools for setting up the wires that will help shape your bonsai tree - pliers, cutters, etc. These can set you back $60-$90 as well for professional grade bonsai tools made in Japan. Check out the nice Bonsai Tree photo CD (Inspirational Guidelines for Displaying Bonsai) they offer as well for just $10 -- it has over 120 amazing photos of plums, elms, wisteria, pines, juniper, and more bonsai trees to give you ideas and hope!Caring for Bonsai Trees - How much to water? How much light? Etc.In general, most bonsai trees are meant to be grown and kept outside -- hence they are not suited for some climates. They can be brought inside during the cold months, but they then require extra care to be sure they are getting enough light, water, etc. Most of them like to be outdoors as much as possible, as long as you follow the species-specific recommendations for exposure to direct sunlight. Check out JoeBansai.com for good information on the care requirements of many different types of bonsai trees. Repotting is also an ongoing issue. Some trees, like the Chinese Elm, should be repotted every spring to avoid becoming rootbound. Wiring is another care issue, as wire is used to shape, mold, and support branch shapes you are aiming for, essentially "making" the tree grow where and how you want it to. For beginners, this can be a tough task, and you often risk damaging the tree branches, trunk, and bark if you do it incorrectly. When getting started, be sure you get assistance and advice from more experienced bonsai gardeners. Pruning, shearing, and pinching are other care requirements needed to make the bonsai grow and look as it should -- that's how you end up with good thick trunks and delicately shaped branches, giving the appearance of a miniaturized version of a much larger tree. Follow the pruning and shaping advice your seller provides for your specific type of bonsai. You can find more in depth care guides at the sites we reference above.How much do Bansai Trees Cost?As we saw above, you can buy basic bonsai trees starting at $20-$30 and going up into the low hundreds of dollars. Given all the care that goes into growing a bonsai tree, it should come to no surprise that old, large ones are very expensive. We found some really amazing bonsai specimens on DallasBonsai.com. You have to see some of the pictures to believe what these things look like. For example, a 50 year old Tiny Leafed Chinese Elm, standing almost 30 inches tall with a 4" trunk, which can be yours for about $3000. It looks like a giant Elm, yet it sits on your living room table! However, given the age and expertise (and price) of these bonsai trees, they are not just a fun trinket -- you become the caretaker of an ancient living creature that requires a lot of work and care and experience to make it grow and thrive. I really like the miniature bonsai maples, and these guys have one listed (Trident Maple) for $3000 that is also about 40-50 years old. These maples even change colors and lose their leaves each year, right in your home or garden like their wild cousins - amazing. You can go all out and buy a 75 year old Japanese Maple Bonsai for $10,0000 - 31" tall with a 2.5" trunk, this is another beauty that needs tender care and attention. One thing to look out for is bonsai trees found at the big chain and home stores. You'll find plantings there for $10-$30, but there are usually mass-produced, less hardy stock in poor quality pots that will not survive beyond a few months. As a starter experiment, they may be OK, but do not plan on buying a lifelong bonsai at Home Depot or a local nursery for $10.
Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.
Send email to: galtemail (@) yahoo.com
|
