What is bonsai?
Q: What is bonsai?
A: Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing small trees in pots. It involves pruning the branches and roots to keep the tree small over time, and training it to grow into a shape that is pleasing to look at. The word bonsai means "tree in tray" in the Japanese language.
Q: Where did bonsai originate from?
A: Bonsai is a very old art form in Japan, originating from an older Chinese art called penjing. Other nations also have arts like bonsai and penjing.
Q: Why do people like bonsai?
A: People like bonsai because it is nice to look at, and because it is fun to grow a bonsai tree. A bonsai tree can live for a very long time, longer than a person can live, so it can be passed down through generations of family members as well.
Q: How does one start making a bonsai?
A: To make a bonsai, you need to start with a small tree which can be grown from seed or found already growing in nature or bought from a plant store. Then its roots are carefully cleaned of dirt and trimmed if necessary before being put into a low-sided pot filled with fresh soil (dirt). After that, it needs to be watered and placed outdoors where it will live for many years.
Q: What kind of trees are good for making into Bonsais?
A: Trees with small leaves such as pine needles are best for making into Bonsais since larger leaves will not give off the appearance of being much smaller than normal trees when made into Bonsais. Additionally, good Bonsais should have old-looking bark and roots too which adds more realism when looking at them.
Q: Is there any other nation besides Japan that practices this type of art form?
A: Yes, other nations also practice similar arts such as penjing which originated in China but has been adapted by other countries around the world including Japan's version known as Bonsais.
