Bonsai: An Art of Minature Plant Culture

The practice of growing plants in pots led to grow bonsai.  The herbs and shrubs are grown extensively in containers.  Occasionally tree species were tried in pots.  They, however, could not grow tall as they do in nature.  As the time passed away they gradually got the imprints of age that made them more beautiful and caught the imagination of growers and viewers alike.  It is then the impetus to bonsai growing generated.  Gradually it began to spread to the different parts of the globe.  Many techniques were innovated and applied, which were the artificial means for giving the natural touches to the bonsai.  The imprints of age is brought about earlier than usual.  Hence the utility of the techniques.  Bonsai growing is developed into a special branch of home gardening.  Bonsai is grown with love and affection which is comparable to rearing pets.  It demands more care and attention to attain perfection.  Bonsai culture was innovated in China and developed in Japan.  It is held in great esteem by the Japanese and associated gradually with their culture.  Century-old bonsai are not the rare things there.  The art and science of growing bonsai are taught to the members of the bonsai societies of Japan.  House plants are beautiful for their attractive foliage whereas bonsai are for their age-old grotesque form.  Both are reared as indoor plants.  If a good number of bonsai are grown a conservatory is needed to accommodate them.  The old and disabled who cannot take part in normal gardening can devote their efforts to bonsai growing.  A bonsai passes from generation to generation.  That is why a specimen bonsai is older than the existing generations-new as well as old.  Bonsai growing lends itself well to immense joy of creation, and a specimen work remains to be a curio for generation after generation.  The market value of an attractive bonsai can hardly be ascertained.  In this regard it is comparable to an age-old masterpiece of an able sculptor.