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Horticulture Principles and Practices

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TABLE 26–3<br />

Plant<br />

A Selection of Popular Ornamental Shrubs <strong>and</strong> Trees Used for Bonsai<br />

Scientific Name<br />

Azalea<br />

Rhododendron<br />

Rock cotoneaster<br />

Crab apple<br />

Japanese apricot<br />

Almond<br />

Japanese cherry<br />

Wisteria<br />

Winter jasmine<br />

Japanese camellia<br />

Azalea spp.<br />

Rhododendron spp.<br />

Cotoneaster horizontalis<br />

Malus spp.<br />

Prunus mume<br />

Prunus amygdalus<br />

Prunus serrulata<br />

Wisteria spp.<br />

Jasminum nudiflorum<br />

Camellia japonica<br />

Plants such as cotoneaster <strong>and</strong> crab apple produce small flowers <strong>and</strong> fruits.<br />

FIGURE 26–2 Bonsai designs: (a) single plant <strong>and</strong> (b) multiple plants (forest bonsai). (Source: Paul Goff © Dorling Kindersley)<br />

26.1.3 PRUNING AND TRAINING<br />

Pruning to control plant size is critical to bonsai culture. Roots <strong>and</strong> shoots are judiciously<br />

pruned to obtain the planned shape <strong>and</strong> size <strong>and</strong> to control the rate of development. It is<br />

often necessary to use wires during the training process to force the plant to assume a<br />

desired shape.<br />

26.1.4 MANAGEMENT<br />

After establishment, pruning is periodically required to contain the roots <strong>and</strong> maintain<br />

the shape of the bonsai. The plant needs to be watered, fertilized, <strong>and</strong> placed under<br />

appropriate environmental conditions at all times.<br />

26.2 CREATING THE BONSAI<br />

26.2.1 TOOLS<br />

A variety of pruning <strong>and</strong> cutting tools are used in bonsai culture. The cutting ends of<br />

these tools should be small enough to cut parts of the miniature plants (Figure 26–3).<br />

A pair of pinchers is used for cutting the taproot, <strong>and</strong> pliers are used for stripping away<br />

the bark of limbs. The clippers are used for shaping the top of the tree. Apart from cutting<br />

tools, copper wires of various gauges (10 to 20) are used in creating bonsai plants. The<br />

wires are required for forcing plant limbs to assume shapes <strong>and</strong> to grow in the direction<br />

desired by the designer.<br />

26.2 Creating the Bonsai 713

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