Discover The Different Bonsai Types

Written by Lee Dobbins

Tuesday, 12 August 2008

by LeeDobbins

It is useful to know that the word "bonsai" is pronounced "bone-sigh", with "bon" being translated as "tray" and "sai" as tree. A wide range of bonsai types are available and it is important to know that they get better with age!

The two main types of bonsai trees are -indoor and outdoor. The more acquainted you get with them and know them well the better chances you have of having beautiful looking healthy ,happy bonsai trees for many years. The trees can be picturesque as they have different styles,like, informal or formal upright, cascade and semi cascade, literati and raft. Their sizes also range from miniature small and medium to average.(they can either be small fruit or small flowers)

The simplest bonsai trees to grow indoors requiring the same amount of attention as a house plant are the tropical and subtropical trees. Absolute novices may benefit by selecting one of these types. For these trees, the ideal location is place that allows them to absorb both the morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Some trees are able to survive in full sunlight but it is better to play it safe and monitor how your bonsai grows in its location. It's possible to place your indoor bonsai outside in late spring bordering on summer. However, it must be brought inside if temperatures fall below 55 degrees.

The bonsai types most suitable for the novice include Hawaiian umbrella trees, baby jade, and ficus, just to list a few. There are plenty of other varieties, including serissa sago palms, Fukien tea aralias, brush cherry money trees, schefflera gardenias, and bougainvilleas. Elms can easily be adapted to most homes as well. There are two species of outdoor bonsai trees. These are evergreen trees such as pine and junipers and deciduous trees which include elms, maples, and ginkgo trees.

What's beautiful about evergreen bonsais trees is their foliage, which lasts the duration of most seasons. This would include azaleas, boxwoods, junipers, and many pines. Many bonsai lovers favor juniper for its lovely appearance and its ease of training. To preserve the health of an evergreen bonsai, rest periods or dormancy in winter are necessary. Signs to watch for are yellowish or dull green tint to the foliage, but don't be worried; this means it's dormant.

Deciduous trees are those trees which lose their leaves in the fall or go into the dormant stage and start re-budding in the spring. They are not suitable for growing as indoors bonsais since they go dormant in winter. These have to be placed carefully in a shed garage or near a cool window sill during winter. It is best not to let them have too much sunlight and water during these months. Fertilizers should be given every few weeks. Bonsais have different varieties such as larch, apricot, hornbeam, ginko, maple, crabapple and elm species. Japenese maple is the most challenging of all the outdoor trees. They have their foliage changing color in spring and the fall, and the colors range from yellow to orange to a beautiful deep red.

When winter comes all bonsai types need a lot of extra attention, that a careful protection from the cold. If you want to acquire an outdoor Bonsai you can choose from a wide variety: Chinese fringe flower and elm, Japanese juniper and red maple, blue moss, cypress star and soft touch golly. Bonsais are small-scale trees with an unique design and look.

Article Author:

Please visit http://www.betterbonsaigardening.com for a variety of bonsai resources and bonsai articles and to learn more about the different Bonsai types.

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