2011/01/26 by JIM NEW
Working with plants in general, whether planting the annual vegetable garden or installing landscape shrubs for the purpose of enhancing one's environment, can be a rewarding enterprise for any motivated participant; moreover, few activities undertaken in our world of plant-care and maintenance compare with the satisfactory, self-gratifying indulgence into the creative realm of bonsai. It is an art that can be appreciated and grasped by most any interested seeker. Working in bonsai offers a serene reward to its students and a refreshing opportunity to identify with our natural world. This exploration into the perfect world of plants provides the curious learner an opportunity to gain much more than botanical knowledge; specifically, a journey into the philosophical and aesthetic arenas of his/her personal conscience.
The ancient craft of bonsai seems to be as vague in its origin as it is varied in its interpretation by its proponents. The author here chooses to define bonsai as the simple attempt by man to simulate/imitate nature "in miniature", through the skilled and uniquely applied work of(by) the humble human hand upon his companion in the plant world - a shrub most often, or to a plant of any kind. More simply put: Bonsai creations attempt to reflect the natural world around us, specifically by molding smaller plants into models of larger/older trees and shrubs that might be observed in a virgin (unaltered by mankind) environment.
There are many things to learn about bonsai once the curious student delves into its history and discipline. Just as there are many environmental conditions that separately and naturally shape species that would otherwise grow nearly identically in a vacuum, there are many styles of bonsai design that contribute to its variety and artistic appeal among enthusiasts of the art. One can express the spirit of nature through the simple transplanting and trimming tasks of a beginner, while aspiring to create truly magnificent replicas of Nature by investing years of patient plant-grooming and tedious care into any chosen specimen of his/her choice. The conscientious student of bonsai begins a journey, a relationship with their plant-pet that can become as rewarding to the designer as it is beneficial to the plant's health and longevity.
The world-wide web seems to offer an unlimited amount of information on the subject. For more in-depth reading on this subject, the following sources are listed for your perusal:
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