The exquisite beauty of a bonsai tree well trained in a simple style, and growing vibrantly in a pot of suitable size and shape, can be the focus of many happy hours of contemplation. For some people, such simplicity is all that is necessary. Others, however, may prefer the more complex drama of a tree trained to cling to a rock, or the grandeur of a bonsai group planting. Such scenes are more complicated to create, but the basic rule of all bonsai still applies: the finished planting should evoke a natural theme.
Rock Plantings
The idea of planting trees on or over rocks has come from nature herself in the picture of a gnarled pine clinging to the protection of an outcropping of rock, or of a small, twisted tree growing on a cliff face. In rock plantings, the tree can
either be planted in or on the rock itself, or it can be trained over the rock, with the roots buried in the soil of the container.Rocks used for such plantings should be fairly hard, since soft rocks tend to rot after prolonged exposure to the elements. They should not be too smooth, and should be pitted with plenty of small crevices and small pockets where the roots can grab hold. Rocks with a saddle-shaped depression or a large, deep pocket are ideal for planting directly onto the rock. Just make sure that the drainage is correct, as if the water doesn’t run
Most bonsai are hardy outdoor plants that need a period of cold dormancy in the winter to thrive, but they should be protected from the harshest winter conditions.
off and instead pools in the pocket, the roots could rot; while if the water runs off straight away, the tree would get no moisture. Relatively small trees with small leaves, such as Cotoneaster are ideal for planting on rock.
Group Plantings
Whether planting a small copse of three trees, or a more ambitious miniature forest, the composition should first be planned out on paper. A shallow but wide container should be used, and the trees selected should be of the same variety, but of various heights. They should always be planted in odd numbers, not only because the Japanese dislike even numbers (especially 4), but because it will be found in practice that a balanced composition is easier to create with odd numbers.
The soil mixture required would be that which is normally used for the type of tree being grown.
To Begin:
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Always start by planting the largest tree first. This focalpoint is normally set to the right or left of center.
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The second largest tree is then planted to compliment thefirst... and so on with the remaining trees.
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Be sure to check and see how the planting is looking, notonly from the front, but from the back and sides as you are trying to maintain an even balance.
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Do not tie down the trees until the exact position of eachhas been determined.
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After planting, thin out any inward growing branches,except for those trees planted around the outer edge.
Saikei:
Group and rock plantings can be taken a step further by adding small underplantings of alpine plants and tiny shrubs. Rocks can be embedded into the soil and small streams suggested by the use of white sand. Such a planting is
Dwarf plants, however, do not always convey the same impression as their full size counterparts because their growth habits are quite different.
generally called saikei, and small figurines and bridges are sometimes added to the landscape.
Bonseki:
Using a shallow tray of almost any composition, you can create a meditative bonseki composition. This generally consists of a group of rocks or stones placed in raked sand, which gives the impressions of small islands in the sea. As there are no living plants in bonseki, it doesn’t require any care and can be kept indefinitely. Children love bonseki!
Bonkei:
Bonkei is another type of tray landscape which attempts to replicate natural or imaginary scenes. Every type of material available can be used, including artificial or real plants, figurines, false rocks, and paint. The finished effect, however, should again mimic nature and retain a natural elegance.
American gardeners have taken bonsai concepts and applied them to houseplants. By combining traditional procedures for handling houseplants with bonsai concepts of design, growers have created different bonsai styles.
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