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Article: Index of Species and Techniques

A gracefully shaped bonsai tree in a black pot, featuring a winding trunk and lush green foliage, demonstrating advanced bonsai pruning and styling techniques

Index of Species and Techniques

Welcome to the comprehensive index of species and techniques used in the art of bonsai. This index is designed to serve as a quick reference guide for enthusiasts, providing concise information on a wide variety of tree species suitable for bonsai cultivation, as well as the array of techniques employed to shape and maintain these living sculptures.

Species Index

A

  • Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple): A deciduous tree with a sturdy trunk and small, three-lobed leaves. It is highly favored for bonsai due to its vigorous growth, ease of care, and ability to develop a thick trunk quickly.
    Close-up of vibrant red leaves of an Acer buergerianum, commonly known as the trident maple, with a blurred green background
  • Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple): Renowned for its delicate, palmate leaves and stunning autumn colors ranging from red to golden yellow. Japanese Maples are popular in bonsai for their elegance and seasonal interest.
    A beautiful Acer Palmatum bonsai tree in full bloom with vibrant pink flowers, set against a natural green background
  • Acer rubrum (Red Maple): Valued for its brilliant red foliage in the fall. It requires careful pruning to maintain leaf size suitable for bonsai.
    A vibrant Acer Rubrum bonsai tree with striking red leaves, displayed in a ceramic pot against a neutral gray background
  • Azalea (Rhododendron indicum): Evergreen shrubs celebrated for their abundant, vibrant flowers. Satsuki and Kurume azaleas are commonly used in bonsai for their small leaves and profuse blooming.
    A stunning Azalea bonsai tree with vibrant pink blossoms in full bloom, displayed in a deep blue ceramic pot on a stone pedestal, set against a rustic wooden fence backdrop

B

  • Bougainvillea glabra (Bougainvillea): A tropical plant known for its colorful bracts and vine-like growth habit. In bonsai, it offers a splash of color and requires warm conditions.
    Close-up of a vibrant Bougainvillea glabra bonsai branch with clusters of bright magenta bracts and green leaves, creating a striking contrast against the blurred garden background
  • Buxus sempervirens (Common Boxwood): An evergreen shrub with small, dense foliage, ideal for creating detailed branch structures in bonsai.

C

  • Carpinus betulus (European Hornbeam): A deciduous tree with smooth gray bark and serrated leaves, appreciated in bonsai for its fine ramification and ability to hold onto dried leaves in winter (marcescence).
  • Cedrus libani (Cedar of Lebanon): A conifer with a majestic appearance, featuring horizontal branches and needle-like foliage. Requires careful wiring to shape in bonsai form.
  • Chaenomeles speciosa (Flowering Quince): Deciduous shrub known for its early spring blooms in shades of red, pink, or white. Its gnarled branches add character to bonsai specimens.
  • Cotoneaster horizontalis (Rock Cotoneaster): A small shrub with tiny leaves, white flowers, and red berries. Its natural cascading habit makes it suitable for styles like semi-cascade or cascade.

F

  • Fagus sylvatica (European Beech): A deciduous tree with smooth gray bark and dense foliage, valued in bonsai for its graceful form and ability to develop fine ramification.
  • Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig): A tropical tree with small glossy leaves and flexible branches, making it ideal for indoor bonsai and air layering techniques.
  • Ficus microcarpa (Chinese Banyan): Characterized by its aerial roots and dense canopy. It is popular among bonsai enthusiasts for its resilience and adaptability to various styles.

G

  • Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree): An ancient species with unique fan-shaped leaves that turn golden in autumn. In bonsai, it requires patience due to its slow growth and branch development.
  • Granatum punica (Pomegranate): A deciduous shrub or small tree with attractive flowers and edible fruit. Dwarf varieties are preferred for bonsai due to their smaller leaves and fruit.

J

  • Juniperus chinensis (Chinese Juniper): A versatile conifer widely used in bonsai for its hardy nature, flexible branches, and the ability to create deadwood features like jin and shari.
  • Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper): A low-growing juniper with dense foliage, ideal for creating dramatic cascade and semi-cascade styles.

M

  • Malus spp. (Crabapple): Deciduous trees known for their beautiful spring blossoms and small decorative fruit, adding seasonal interest to bonsai displays.
  • Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood): A deciduous conifer with attractive, feathery foliage and fast growth, suitable for larger bonsai specimens.
  • Moraceae (Mulberry): Deciduous trees with edible fruit and rapid growth, allowing for quick development of bonsai trunks and branches.

P

  • Pinus thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine): A robust conifer with dark green needles and rough bark, highly esteemed in bonsai for its longevity and traditional aesthetic.
  • Pinus parviflora (Japanese White Pine): Known for its soft blue-green needles and compact growth, favored in bonsai for its delicate appearance and ability to form compact needle clusters.
  • Prunus mume (Japanese Apricot): A deciduous tree with fragrant pink or white blossoms appearing in late winter to early spring, prized for its early blooms and rugged trunk.
  • Pyracantha coccinea (Firethorn): An evergreen shrub with glossy leaves, white flowers, and bright red or orange berries, adding color and texture to bonsai compositions.

S

  • Serissa foetida (Snow Rose): A tropical evergreen shrub with small leaves and tiny white flowers. Sensitive to environmental changes, it requires stable conditions but offers delicate beauty.
  • Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia): A deciduous tree with camellia-like flowers and exfoliating bark, desirable in bonsai for its multi-season interest.

T

  • Taxus cuspidata (Japanese Yew): An evergreen conifer with dark green needles and red arils. Its flexible wood allows for intricate bending and shaping in bonsai.
  • Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells): A tropical shrub with bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, used in bonsai for its vibrant blooms but requires warm climates.
  • Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum): See entry under "Acer buergerianum."

U

  • Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm): A hardy deciduous or semi-evergreen tree with small leaves, excellent for beginners due to its ease of care and adaptability.
  • Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii' (Weeping Elm): Recognized for its pendulous branches, used in bonsai to create weeping styles.

W

  • Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria): A vigorous vine with cascading clusters of fragrant purple flowers. In bonsai, it requires careful training to balance vegetative growth with flowering.

Techniques Index

A

  • Air Layering: A propagation method to produce new trees by inducing root growth on a branch while it is still attached to the parent plant, allowing for the creation of new bonsai with established characteristics.
  • Approach Grafting: A technique where two plants are joined together while both are still growing on their own roots, used to add branches or roots to a bonsai.

B

  • Bending: The process of shaping branches or the trunk through the application of pressure, often using wires or guy-wires, to achieve the desired bonsai style.
  • Bud Selection: The practice of choosing specific buds to encourage growth in particular areas, aiding in the development of shape and branch structure.

C

  • Chuhin: A classification of bonsai size, referring to medium-sized trees generally between 20 to 40 centimeters in height.
  • Clip and Grow: A technique involving selective pruning of shoots to shape the bonsai without the use of wiring, relying on natural growth patterns.
  • Defoliation: The removal of leaves to reduce leaf size and promote finer ramification, enhancing the tree's miniature appearance.
  • Dieback: The death of branches or roots from the tip backward, often caused by disease, pests, or improper care.

D

  • Deadwood Techniques: Methods such as jin and shari used to create aged appearances by stripping bark and sculpting deadwood features.
  • Deciduous Pruning: Specific pruning practices used on deciduous trees to enhance ramification and maintain structure.

F

  • Fertilization: The application of nutrients to promote healthy growth, using balanced fertilizers suited to the specific needs of bonsai species.
  • Field Growing: Cultivating trees in the ground to accelerate trunk thickening and overall development before training them as bonsai.
  • Formal Upright Style (Chokkan): A bonsai style where the trunk is perfectly straight and vertical, symbolizing strength and uprightness.

G

  • Grafting: Techniques used to join parts from different plants so that they grow as one, useful for adding desirable traits or repairing damaged areas.
  • Guy-Wiring: Using tensioned wires anchored to the pot or lower branches to bend thicker branches that cannot be shaped with standard wiring.

J

  • Jin: A deadwood technique where branches are stripped of bark to create the appearance of age and exposure to harsh elements.

M

  • Moyogi: Informal upright style characterized by a trunk that curves gently, reflecting natural growth patterns affected by environmental factors.
  • Me-wiring: The practice of wiring new shoots and small branches to shape them while they are still flexible.

N

  • Nebari: The surface root flare at the base of the trunk, important for providing the appearance of stability and age in bonsai.
  • Needle Plucking: A technique used in conifers to control vigor and encourage back budding by removing specific needles.

P

  • Pinching: The removal of new growth tips using fingers or tools to control growth direction and encourage branching.
  • Pot Selection: Choosing an appropriate container that complements the bonsai's style, size, and aesthetic, adhering to traditional guidelines.
  • Pruning: Trimming branches and roots to shape the bonsai and maintain its proportions, critical for health and design.

R

  • Repotting: Transferring the bonsai into a new pot or refreshing its soil to provide nutrients and space for root growth, usually performed during the tree's dormant season.
  • Root Pruning: Trimming the roots during repotting to maintain the bonsai's size and encourage fine root development.

S

  • Shari: A deadwood technique involving the creation of a lifeline by removing bark along a section of the trunk, simulating natural scarring.
  • Slab Planting: Growing bonsai on a flat stone slab to create a natural landscape appearance, often used with multiple trees.
  • Soil Mixing: The preparation of custom soil blends tailored to the species and environmental conditions, ensuring proper drainage and aeration.
  • Summer Pruning: Pruning performed during the growing season to manage growth and maintain the bonsai's shape.

W

  • Wiring: Applying wire to branches and trunk to bend and position them into the desired shape, fundamental for styling bonsai.
  • Wound Sealant: A protective substance applied to pruning cuts to prevent infection and aid in healing.

This index is intended to assist bonsai enthusiasts of all levels in identifying and understanding the diverse species and techniques that make up the rich tapestry of bonsai art. Whether you are selecting a species to begin your journey or exploring new methods to refine your practice, this guide serves as a foundational resource to inspire and inform your bonsai endeavors.

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