"...Bonsai are not always trees"

Tuppence2 · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:10 pm Post subject: "...Bonsai are not always trees"

This was on a site visited through a link from another bonsai site.

http://www.actionvideo.freeserve.co.uk/articles.htm

"To the newcomer all bonsai are unusual. Anyone with an abiding interest may find that the repetition of working with the same old species, in a limited number of styles, becomes jaded in time.

If we look beyond our indigenous species and traditionally used shrubs and trees, there are thousands of other species that are of great interest. Many of these can be used to create excellent unusual bonsai. They provide a welcome diversion, a talking point and give constant interest.

Contrary to popular belief, bonsai are not always trees. The word itself consists of two parts - bon being a shallow dish and sai is a noun meaning "grow". Read the early Japanese literature and you will find that many plants are used. Perennials, annuals, grasses, herbs, cycads and even cacti feature. Things which many of us consider to be "accent plants" are described as bonsai themselves in books such as "The Essentials of Bonsai" by the editors of Shufonomotu."

Penny Smile

Dick

Hi Penny,

I've returned after being away for the last week.

Your post on bonsai beingmore than just trees is very appropriate. There is a whole other area that we rarely speak of on this forum about accent plants that go with bonsai trees especially when they are placed in a tokonoma type of display. The plants thenselves are not limited in number at all. Virtually every plant might become an accent plant for a tree. But the techniques for growing them are often bonsai based. It's good of you to remind us about them.

steve

Welcome back Dick. How was vacation?

Stymie

I've got a bonsai gooseberry.

Tuppence2

Thanks, Dick - will have to look into accent plants, etc.

Would like to see your goosegog, Stymie. Smile

I find they are usually too sharp for my sweet tooth, but do like the big red ones that are sweeter.

Isn't it Bob Flowerday (on the Radio) who grows a whole range of gooseberries?

Smile

Dick

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the welcome, but I wasn't exactly on vacation. It was a week long conference at a university in southern Ohio. Had a great time and it was stimulating and relaxing too.

Now I'm back to bonsai again!!!

steve

Exactly where you should be. Glad you enjoyed it.

jimothy

Tuppence2

That's the man! Thanks. Knew it was "Flower...." something! I like his comments on the radio, he's not afraid to be different from the ordinary run of gardeners.

Did you plait your hair like his? Very Happy

Penny