Japanese Maple
I first saw bonsai trees in Arnold Arboretum – Boston (Botanical garden of the Harvard University) and was amazed by their beauty and am still mesmerized. Bonzai is a Japanese tradition in the art of growing miniature trees. The aesthatic of a bonsai can be found out only by closely observing a miniature tree. It is also said to take considerable artistic skill and lots of patience when it comes to developing a tree worthy of presentation.
Literally Bonsai is “grown in a tray”, “Dwarf Trees” o r “tree in pot” but to stop with this definition would be, at best, an understatement. Bonsai is an unique art in that the basic medium is alive and growing. As the painter uses canvas, brushes and paint to create, Bonsai tree artist uses, soil and pots. To carry the analogy further, a painter must learn how to prepare a canvas, select and use brushes, and the characteristics and types of paint. A Bonsai artist must learn how to keep a tree alive in a small container or Pot, the types and uses of the various tools and wire, and characteristics of the individual trees used.Here are the pictures of some my favourite ones.
Japanese Juniper
- Goshin at US National Arboretum
Japanese Black Pine
Bald Cypress
Bonsai is a great interest, hobby or even profession to undertake. Although famous theologians have claimed that it is actually 90% art to a meager 10% of horticulture, it has to be said that a successful bonsai is most definitely a horticultural masterpiece.
Where can I find them in Pakistan? or I may have to learn the art myslef!
That is a great site. I tried to grow a bonsai tree once, but it died in about 3 months. My cat kept getting into it.