Bonsai Trees

A Story by Jack Wack

informataive

I. Attention Grabber: Picture a miniature tree inside a pot and small men in robes tending to them, clipping their leaves and watering them. Well, the scene you just pictured is the caring of bonsai trees and the ritual of Bonsai.

Thesis: I’m going to talk to you, today, about the art of Bonsai, the different styles of bonsai trees, and the care of these small trees.

II. I’m sure you wondering what the bonsai is, according to the book, Bonsai, by Peter Chan, “Bonsai is simply the art and science of growing miniature trees and shrubs in decorative pots.”

1. Where it comes from:

A. The Bonsai comes from the west hemisphere, where people consider Bonsai a hobby.

B. In Japan there are bonsai trees 500-700 years old, that have been cared for by generations of nurserymen.

2. It is commonly said that Bonsai comes from Japan, which is not true, it originated in China.

A. It started way back in 200 AD.

B. Came, originally, from the imperial gardens in China.

3.The imperial gardens.

A. The bonsai tree was used, in a small version of the countries in China, to represent the real trees in China.

B. Could only flourish under royal patronage

III. The Bonsai has a great history but also has many styles.

1.Formal Upright Style.

A. Absolutely straight, rising vertically out of the ground.

B. Very majestic.

C. Seen, often, on stately homes or in middle of large open fields.

2. Informal upright style.

A. Most popular of Bonsai tree styles.

B. Much easier to find.

C. Characterized by the lazy “S” shape.

3. Slanting style.

A. Because it slants, a lot.

B. Is 45 F from vertical.

C. Aptly known by its name.

IV. The care of these trees.

1. Watering.

A. Watering is the most important part of Bonsai care.

B. According to The Helpful Gardener, “The old Japanese adage is to water,” the tree, “three times; once for the pot, once for the soil, and once for the tree.”

C. Must water every day, if you miss even one day, it could begin to die.

D. It teaches you a lot of responsibility.

2. Pruning the branches.

A. There is an old bonsai saying “As with the bottom, so with the top.”

B. There is a certain season to prune the branches of a Bonsai Tree.

C. “With proper care and scheduled pruning, your tree will grow and remain healthy fro years,” says Erik A. Olsen, a Bonsai expert.

D. You should focus mostly on the trunk.

E. “With evergreen coniferous bonsai trees, you can use a method known as “finger pruning”, which means to pinch back new growth that does not have the general shape of the bonsai or growth at the top of the tree. This method will encourage fuller foliage and a better looking bonsai,” says Erik Olsen once again.

3. The Soil.

A. “The soil you use affects rooting, feeding, watering and transpiration; it is where half your tree lives...” says The Helpful Gardener, a site on Bonsai care.

B. You should find soil that fits your watering schedule and the tree.

C. You should also get a soil sieving screen. This helps you get bad soil out of good soil.

V. Conclusion There is much to say about the art of Bonsai and the Bonsai tree. Whether it, be more on the care, less on the history, or just looking at all the different styles. You know you can always have a good time learning about Bonsai. And you can’t really get bored with it, and afterward you may even want to go out and buy a bonsai of your own.