BONSAI MEANS "TREE IN A TRAY" OR "SHALLOW POT."  It also refers to the the art of training and growing the trees.  Many centuries ago the Chinese started creating miniature landscapes and trees, often using old trees from cliffs and mountains and transplanting them into shallow pots. The Japanese then started and eventually overtook the Chinese with their mastery of the art.

Bonsai trees in Japan are often passed from generation to generation and may be over 500 years old.

The Japanese have a special place in their house, which is an alcove or "Tokonoma."  Here they display their most precious bonsai together with a scroll and an accent plant which may be a small grass or rock plant to complement the main tree.

In the western world bonsai is relatively new but becoming increasingly popular; and our skills are rapidly improving with these fascinating trees.

WHAT IS BONSAI?

Many people think that bonsai is a type of tree.  This is not the case.  You can turn hundreds of different trees and shrubs into a bonsai.

It is a way of bringing the beauty of nature into your house or yard.  Bonsai were originally created as a way of bringing nature into the palaces of Chinese emperors.

You, too, can create a mature-looking tree or forest in miniature that looks and indeed might be hundreds of years old.

Depending on what style you choose, you can have a tree growing out of the side of a mountain, a forest, on the top of a hill or a single old pine standing on the horizon.

Bonsai trees are continuously changing as they grow, so are never finished.  Unlike a painting or sculpture, bonsai is living art which you can alter and improve as time goes on.  If you show them minimal attention over a period of time you may find that you have to restyle the tree by pruning and re-wiring to get it back to an acceptable form.

A bonsai, therefore, is a living art form that continually changes throughout the life of the tree.  If seeing a bonsai interests you, then don't be afraid to ty it yourself.  It is a combination of both horticultural and artistic skills and you may well have these skills without realizing it.  Practice as much as possible and you will soon have your own collection of miniature trees that will improve over the years to come and provide you with hours of pleasure.

WE CARRY A LINE OF BONSAI KITS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED -- THE ART OF BONSAI IS THE MOST POPULAR.  WE ALSO CARRY ZEN GARDEN, HERB GARDENING, HOUSEPLANTS, REFLEXOLOGY, TEA BLENDS, MASSAGE, DETOX, AROMATHERAPY AND MANY MORE....