Different Types Of Bonsai Shapes

Bonsai is an art as well as a science that involves the growing of trees and plants in pots in such a way that they do not grow large as they would under normal conditions but remain miniature. It first became an artform in China and Japan and has now become a popular way of growing different bonsai trees indoors. There are many different types of bonsai shapes the bonsa hobbyist or collect can have. The main purpose of Bonsai is for its beauty but bonsai trees have been known to be used for spiritual purposes by some.

Techniques such as pruning and pinching are used to manipulate the growing pattern of the tree to come up with a miniature plant or tree that is really beautiful to behold. However, anyone interested in growing Bonsai trees needs to know that it is a process that requires quite a bit of patience, hard work and dedication. The unique bonsai shapes is an artform that takes time to learn. However, be assured the effort is well worth it.

Bonsai is created from a seedling or cutting of specific bonsai tree types. They are mainly perennial woody trees or shrubs. There are bonsai shapes that are used when styling bonsai and the most common are:

Formal upright style - This is one of the most basic form of bonsai shapes and it produces a nice round form of tree. It is characterized by a straight tapering trunk. The lower branches are pruned in such a way that they are the broadest. Consequent branches are cropped to extend less and less horizontally. This method is used for growing the tree in its natural state, except it remains miniature.

Informal upright style - When using this style, bonsai shapes are trained in a similar way to the formal upright but allowed to incorporate curves to give an irregular shape. Instead of the main trunk extending vertically, it is made to bend slightly to give the tree an angled shape.

Slant style - When creating this type bonsai, the trunk is straight but is trained to emerge at an angle from the soil. The lowest branches are trained in the opposite direction to create a kind of balance. Just like the above types it has a tapering shape but the apex is not centered above the trunk base.

Cascade style - This is one of the most unique styles of bonsai shapes. The tree is trained in such a way that the apex of the tree extends below the top of the bonsai pot. The tree trunk which is centered in the pot is first trained to grow vertically then the branches are bent downwards. In the semi cascade version, the apex of the tree is at the same level as the top of the pot.

Broom style - This is one of the very common and beautiful bonsai tree types. Here the tree trunk is centered in the pot and trained vertically with many the branches extending in all directions. They are pruned in such a way as to create a broom shape.

There are many bonsai shapes that one can cultivate and form into any of the styles mentioned above. Though it can be a tedious process the beauty of the end product will leave you happy and fulfilled. You will soon find that growing bonsai is a very fasinating hobby that you will only want to learn more about.