The purpose of this art is to create a tree in a pot, providing the necessary care to develop like a wild tree, but in smaller dimensions. Particulating the art of Bonsai is a relaxing and rewarding activity in many ways, in ancient times it was restricted to the noblest classes, however its secrets have spread from the east to the west and today we have the tools to get down to work and dive into this beautiful practice.

Let your tree speak of the ephemeral and of eternity, of what we will bequeath when we are gone. Let me talk about a fragile little moment of happiness. Let him explain the scars on his trunk, caused by the conditions of his past life, his history, the hardest times and the serenity he recovered. In this way you will be able to touch the hearts of those who observe your tree.. (François Jeker)

Bonsai have always been associated with eternity as well, as it was thought that only those who had the gift of keeping these trees in pots were worthy of it..

The Bonsai will not save the world or nature, but the feeling it generates returns in its help and defense, because whoever loves the bonsai loves nature. Anonymous

This manifestation of art is not a fashion or addiction, it is a work that requires dedication, commitment, and a lot of patience because we take care of a living form that will take a long time to model. However, practitioners say it is also an art-therapy form. An activity that generates tranquility, peace, calm. It teaches us to love the essence of nature, to observe it consciously, to understand it until we find the perfect harmony that will express our spirit through this living sculpture that will never cease to manifest.

Ficus panda

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What you should know before you start this practice

• You can buy a pre-bonsai in specialized shops (not very advanced tree, but ready to be pruned, wired and structured) or we can take a tree of about 15 or 20 centimeters, of thick trunk to mold it ourselves after transplanting it to a flowerpot. You can also start the practice by planting the tree from the seed, although obviously in this case the process will be much slower.

• The characteristic feature of the bonsai trees is that they are in pots that limit their growth. The determining factor for the pot to use is to ensure that it is large enough to cover the roots of the bonsai.

The parts of the bonsai with which we must familiarize ourselves before starting the practice are apart from the root, with the trunk, the branches and its leaves.

In case of transplanting a bonsai or to take a small tree to a flowerpot, we must, previous cleaning, trim some roots leaving only the strongest ones.

Bonsai can be of different sizes, however, the most standardized is that they measure between 10ctms and 1.20mts.

Once transplanted, the tree should be allowed to grow until the next season before pruning.

Not all trees can be worked as bonsai. You should consult which variety is more suited to the climate in which you live because there are some more resistant than others depending on their location (outdoor or indoor).

It is recommended that the trunk is at least 2 centimeters thick before working, otherwise the tree could not support the wiring or damage the pruning.

Trees with small, dense and compact leaves are the ones that result in a more stylish modeling.

As any plant for its survival it is necessary that there is no lack of light and water, besides that being in a reduced environment it is necessary to provide it periodically with basic nutrition: nitrogen, potassium and phosphate.

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Master: What do you see?
Apprentice: A half rotten old tree.
Master: You see but you don't see, a Dragon sleeps in it.
Later the apprentice asks a more experienced student: What should I do, I only see a rotten old tree.
To which the other smiling man replied: I would begin by removing the rotten, but without waking the Dragon. Unknown author..

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The photographs are my own.
Used Devices: Panasonix Lumix Camera / Samsung mini S4 Mobile Phone
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