A new day, dawn, year
Have you grown tired yet, of New Year resolutions? How committed is our resolve? We all want to do and be better, but in life we really have to make commitments that are long-term or short-term ones. Reality has a way of filtering out the answers. I have to figure out how to do my new assignment recently given me. This mission, should I accept – is not for the tired, rundown, weary and time challenged. I did not ask for this or seek it.
My oldest grandson, now a father himself, was so proud to announce that he had found the perfect gift for me for Christmas. A week of wondering – I was intrigued because he is a computer whiz with his own computer business. Was it in the electronic family?
So I found myself Christmas morning opening a small square shaped rectangular box, curious about its contents. It was a metal box filled with potting soil, some seeds, a Japanese Black Pine seed, and lovely tiny shears. He knew I admired bonsai trees and here was his attempt to give me one. He said it was supposed to grow into a bonsai tree. Little did he comprehend the art of Bonsai – the time (I mean years), care, raising and training it would take. It’s just a seed that was supposed to give me a bonsai tree. I knew what that entailed; not merely raising a seedling. I, who say to my plants – “survival of the fittest,” then forgot to water regularly. I know what I should do, just don’t take the time to do it. I hated to tell him any old plant already growing can be made into a bonsai.
I have in the past, potted Ming Aralia, a lovely illusion with little work; Ponytail Palm in a shallow saucer, needs little care with a swollen base that provides nourishment; Dwarf Pomegranate, for flowers and mini-fruit; any pot-bound plant of which I trimmed the roots up and repotted, plants only grow as big as their container allows (I call that stunted, which done in an art form is valuable).
So the enclosed tag says, bon = shallow tray/sai = plant or planting. Bonsai is a re-creation of nature, artistically interpreted, that is consistently growing and changing: the art of gardening in its purist sense. Right. I dare not say, “It ain’t agonna happen,” my reputation as a grandmother and gardener is at stake.
The art originated in China during the Chou Dynasty (900-250 B.C.), where many people thought the sparse foliage and gnarly trunks resembling animals, birds and dragons were gross, while others realized their true bonsai meaning of peace, harmony and all good things. Buddhist monks took this art form to Japan, where they pursued and developed bonsai (which plural, is bonsai).
Bonsai then spread to all of Asia. The Japanese see bonsai trees meaning a fusion of strong ancient beliefs of Eastern philosophies, of harmony between man, nature and the soul, whereas the Buddhist monks see bonsai as a symbol of honor and prestige.
These are ordinary plants that have been manipulated by pruning and wiring branches to get them to conform to a wanted shape, not hereditary dwarfs. Ideally, bonsai, with consistent care, pruning and trimming, can live for a century or more and are handed down from one generation to another.
My directions tell me to have the soil watered thoroughly, then place in a container that has drainage, just regular seedling directions. A final bonsai container has large holes in the bottom for drainage. Cover those with mesh or plastic screening. Usually there are short legs to help keep the bottom aerated, cutting down on the chance of mold. The shaping comes the second spring, so it takes many years just to grow, then, artistically shape with aluminum or copper wires as they grow. It does involve root pruning also, to stay within their shallow pots of limited soil. This requires constant monitoring to achieve the balance of moist soil. A soil meter is helpful, but the tried and true method of finger to the first knuckle testing for dampness can be cultivated. Bonsai is not really an indoor plant, they thrive best outdoors. For me this is unfortunate – out of sight, out of mind. Constant, consistent monitoring is essential.
Bonsai trees are divided into four types – Shonaka, evergreens – Zouki, deciduous, for the changing of the leaves during the seasons – Hanamona, for the flowers – Mimono, for the fruit.
There are also many styles for particular trees, each of these styles offer unique usage of specific trees – some are – Chokkan style, straight trunk; Myogi style, curved trunk; Shaken style, slanting trunk; Fukinagashi style, windswept; Kengai and han-kengai, cascade and semi-cascade; Bumjin-gi style, literati; Hokidachi style, broom; Netsurani style, sinuous or root linked; Neagari style, raised root; Ishitzuli, rock dweller. Each style has a different symbolism.
This brings to mind the statement that Feng Shui and bonsai are a perfect match. They are two ancient Asian art forms that represent harmony, peace and prosperity. Right now, I’m only concerned with bonsai, which can become magnificent works of art. The years it takes to reach that goal are beyond me. My type is already decided for me, the type will probably be Chokkan; I read that to plant a tree takes hope and faith in the future, any tree. Last Sunday’s sermon challenged us all to spread hope and this would be a labor of hope.
I feel, like New Year’s resolutions, I’m setting myself up for failure, but I will persevere. A nice Japanese pine seedling can give hope to a new generation, for at my age it will take a successor to carry it forward.
Still, I need to thank it for producing fresh air.
Joyce Comingore is Master Gardener; hibiscus enthusiast; and member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.