Bonsai

The the Art of Bonsai

If you have ever marvelled at bonsai and thought to yourself that you would like to be able to create something like that, this course could be that opportunity you were looking for.

• Learn to grow bonsai
• Develop your ability to select, train and maintain appropriate varieties of plants in different situations to make bonsai
• Indulge a passion, extend your horticultural skills or start a business.

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • The study of Bonsai begins with a lesson in plant taxonomy. We will look at plant families and botanical classification. There is also a list of organisations that you will find useful to source information from.
2. Propagation
   • Different methods of propagation from raising seed to taking your own hardwood cuttings. You will also learn about creating suitable potting mixes.
3. Plants for Bonsai
   • We look at the various types of plants that are actually suitable for growing for Bonsai and selecting the right plant.
4. Bonsai Styles and Techniques
   • This lesson includes classification of the various styles of Bonsai there are and we also look at important wiring techniques.
5. Creating Bonsai
   • Pruning and shaping Bonsai, creating branch patterns, evaluating the root system, and potting up of Bonsai.
6. Bonsai Culture and Maintenance
   • Specifics of Bonsai culture, soil maintenance and nutritional qualities are discussed. Also pest and diseases that effect Bonsai, and techniques for controlling and shaping Bonsai growth to achieve that special look.
7. Landscaping Principles for Bonsai
   • Principals of Landscape Design with Bonsai and the applications they can have in creating your garden.
8. Special Project

Aims

• Demonstrate knowledge of the plant kingdom, an understanding of the taxonomic hierarchy, and an appreciation of the types of plants suitable for bonsai.
• Explain the methods of propagation used in bonsai.
• Select species of plants most suited to bonsai.
• Describe a range of bonsai styles and techniques used to achieve them.
• Demonstrate the process of creating bonsai.
• Explain the basics of successful bonsai culture.
• Discuss landscape design principles to better create bonsai landscapes.
• Carry out research into a particular aspect of bonsai.

What You Will Do

• Develop plant review sheets for different plants suitable for bonsai.
• Make up a list of resources/contacts useful to a bonsai grower.
• Research what constitutes a good propagating mix.
• Visit a nursery and observe the nursery stock present to assess suitability for bonsai production.
• Propagate different species of plant that have the potential to be used as Bonsai.
• Select different plants and determine the style of bonsai each plant lends itself to.
• Make a list of the most commonly grown varieties of plants you consider as being used for bonsai today.
• Visit a bonsai house, bonsai farm, bonsai nursery or other facility where bonsai are available for viewing and classify the style of different bonsai plants.
• Evaluate, prune, wire, shape and pot different plants as bonsai
• Obtain soil from two different types of soils; test the soils for drainage, and name the soils.
• Obtain (or make up) a potting mix which you consider appropriate for growing bonsai in.
  • Conduct tests to name the potting mix you have obtained. Test the drainage of the potting mix.
• Visit a nursery or garden growing bonsai plants to assess the plants for pests, diseases and environmental anomalies.
• Design a miniature garden pot incorporating a bonsai plant
• Using your knowledge of landscaping principles, decide on the best outdoor locations three different bonsai, and the optimum indoor locations for short term display. Take photographs or sketch the locations in which you would place the bonsai. Submit these photographs with your assignment.
• Obtain plants of different varieties and using what you have learned in the course, turn your chosen plants into bonsai and either photograph or draw what you have created; then report on this work.

An Art, A Science, A Culture Where You Never Stop Learning

Creating bonsai is often considered to be a complex skill which requires many years of practice and devotion to attain desirable results but this is not strictly true. Of course, is does require knowledge and commitment but it is possible to achieve worthwhile results in a relatively short space of time whether as a hobby or on a commercial scale. You just need enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Before you can start to understand bonsai, you need to obtain a basic understanding of growing plants (horticulture); how to identify and select appropriate species of plants for bonsai, and how to keep them healthy.  Plants which are suited for bonsai in one location may not necessarily be suitable in another place. Not all plants are suited to bonsai; but with hundreds of thousands of plants to choose from, it would take several lifetimes to explore all of the possibilities with all of the different 'suitable' plant species available to you.

Different Styles

There are many different sizes and styles on bonsai. Small bonsai may be up to twelve inches or 30cm in height, whereas medium sized ones might be as high as two and a half feet or 90cm. Bonsai do not have to be small. Indeed, there are some magnificent specimens six feet or more tall and hundreds of years old on display at Tokyo's Imperial Palace.