Bonsai Envy

​A few weeks ago, I received a gift from a neighbor of a bonsai plant that she passed along from her brother's collection.  I looked over the seven she had, and picked one that I found out later is a Ficus benjamina.  Good choice because it is considered one of the best for a novice.  It was like taking home a puppy – love the cute little guy -- but don’t know the first thing about how to take care of it.  

Above:  Ficus benjaminia that is now mine!

I have this perception that bonsai plants are finicky, intimidating plants that can only be taken care of by bonsai masters that have studied for decades under the watchful eye of a teacher.  That can be true; there is much to learn about bonsai.  But it is possible to keep it simple and natural.  The Ficus, I’m calling him Ben, is the perfect plant to start with.  Although I must admit I’m little skittish since having initial success with bringing a Rosemary plant into the house this fall and I have to report that it died last week. 
 
Over the years I have had a limited number of houseplants.  All I have left are the remnants of a multi-plant container that I bought for my desk 40 years ago.  The Boston Fern, Snake Plant and Ivy are now full-grown and can withstand the lack of care that I have given them over the years.   But still, I have had bonsai envy for a long time.  They are so small and intriguing and can be very long-lived with specimens over hundreds of years old (mostly cared for by the aforementioned bonsai masters.)

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I took these pictures when visiting Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania.  Clockwise from the upper right: 

• Japanese maples-training began in 2000
• Trident Maple -training began around 1960
•  Japanese Zelkova (Elm family) - training began 1909
• Azalea - training began in 2009 

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While I was trying to find out how to take care of Ben, several Bonsai offerings caught my eye.  And I started to feel like a plant addict.  I could actually have that Japanese Maple as a bonsai plant.  For those that are not familiar,  Japanese Maples are solidly in Zone 5-6 definitely not suitable for my Zone 3 climate.  But then I caught myself because I really don’t want to stick around the house watering and training these plants for the rest of my days.   
 
What have I learned about bonsai?  

1. Classic bonsai is a tree or shrub trained to create an artistic effect resembling nature.  “Bonsai” means “tree in a container”.   
2. Although many of the trees and shrubs used in bonsai are traditionally from Japan, there are many tropical, succulents, evergreens and deciduous plants suitable for this art form.
3. Bonsai plants can be obtained that have already been trained and are ready for display or you can do-it-yourself with inexpensive plants from the local garden center.  It’s all about how much time and money you want to devote.
4. Watering is more frequent than other plants due to the shallow container used to keep the plant small (the height of the dish should be the same as the diameter of the trunk.)
5. Pruning depends on the plant; some need pruning every couple of years, others much more frequently especially during growth periods.
6. Shaping is done by pruning and using a covered wire to gently force the branches in the desired direction. 
7. You can spend your entire life learning the various techniques of bonsai.

I have enjoyed knowing a little bit more about this ancient art form and might just try to create my own bonsai with cuttings from my yard.  

My New Year’s resolution is to not kill Ben like I did Rosemary and not let bonsai become my next plant addiction.