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In ancient times, it was venerable Japanese artisans who named their completely unique artwork “Bonsai”, meaning “a Tree In A Tray”. With great skill, artistry, & devotion, they labored to fashion exquisite miniature trees, literally, in a tray.

Bonsai craftsmen work decade upon decade to produce a single tree. Such trees, if healthy & well cared for, can last far beyond the life of their designers, being handed down to generation after generation of Bonsai lovers.

Bonsai trees are not dwarf trees. Starting with a seedling, or very young ordinary tree - pine, juniper, maple, elm, brush cherry, cedar - among others, the Bonsai artist uses specific techniques - over long periods of time - shaping & pruning both roots & branches, to produce his miniature tree in a tray! The grower’s artistic vision & skill determine the shape as well as the height of a bonsai tree - which might range from a few inches tall to all of fourteen inches after ten years of controlled growth. Along with their leaves, some bonsai will produce lovely flowers and/or fruit.

You are a beginner in the field of bonsai art? Good! Your primary mission is to read all the up-to-date material you can find on the subject. Be sure you’re familiar with what’s actually involved. You’ll learn that bonsai trees are not ordinary plants, & ordinary plant care is not good enough. They need extraordinary care. If you’re a faithful artist & caretaker, you’ll be amply rewarded continually by the health & beauty of your completely unique bonsai - shaped, pruned, growing & nurtured by your very own hands!

Before you shop for your first plant, decide whether it will be an outdoor or indoor plant, keeping in mind the environment in which you & your bonsai will live. Is there ample sunlight as well as available shade (bonsai love sunlight, but not in the heat of the day). Can you maintain the disciplined watering schedule, the humidity, temperature, & soil type required by your plant?

When it comes time for you to select & purchase a tree seedling or a plant, visit a nursery that grows & sells bonsai. Avoid purchasing from a retail department store, or kiosk in the mall - these outlets are mainly interested in selling their goods with little regard for the health of your selection. It takes time for the actual health of a bonsai to be revealed in its appearance. A bonsai might even be dead, & only an expert eye could detect it… Buy from a nursery where there’re trained professionals in the art of bonsai. Be sure to ask for any literature they might have on the plant you’re buying.

So now you have your plant in hand & you’re eager to embark on an exotic journey into the fascinating world of bonsai . . . living work of art . . . a tree in a tray . . . an ongoing creative experience you’ll enjoy for a lifetime.

For more on the beautiful history of bonsai art attempt visiting http://www.beautiful-bonsai-trees.info, a popular website that gives bonsai tips, advice & resources to include information on a variety of bonsai styles to include the Shakan style, Kengai style & Chokkan style.