Behind the Scenes of Phipps’ Beautiful Bonsai

By Greta Engel

Bonsai is a fine art practice of restricting the growth of a tree to create a miniature version of what can be found in nature. Surprisingly, bonsai began in China around 2000 years ago and were brought to Japan and Korea where it was developed into the Japanese art form we know today. Typically kept under four feet in height, bonsai translates from Japanese to “tree planted in a container.” Common bonsai species include Ficus, Juniper and Japanese maple, but there are hundreds of trees that can be grown and refined into bonsai!

With proper care and attention, bonsai can be grown at home and enjoyed for years to come. Since bonsai can be crafted from a variety of tree types, specific care and design techniques are dependent on the species. Phipps Director of Horticulture Ben Dunigan shares some tips for taking care of bonsai along with some facts about the collection at Phipps.

Compared to the average potted plant, bonsai require more attention to ensure that they are properly taken care of. They are better off left outside because they will have less pests and receive more rainwater. Most bonsai prefer ample sunlight, but some do not, so it is important to check preferred light conditions based on the type. How often bonsai needs watering also depends on the weather conditions and tree species. Generally, they need to be watered more often than other potted plants because the soil used for bonsai tends to drain very quickly. The more sun a bonsai tree is exposed to, the more water it will need.

Since bonsai are a miniature version of a tree found in nature, it is important to give the tree what it would want in its natural environment. For example, a tropical tree can be kept warm all year but a conifer from northern latitudes needs to go through the winter dormancy. If you leave a Chinese Juniper inside your house all winter, you are not allowing it to go dormant. That’s why bonsai trees are left outside in the winter. “Special care should be given to protect the roots, but the canopy can take the cold,” says Ben.

The soil mixture required for bonsai is also dependent on the tree species. It is crucial to provide bonsai with the right soil mixture for sufficient drainage and aeration for its root health. As for pruning, the goal is to maintain and refine the shape of the bonsai. There are five traditional pruning styles that most bonsai adhere to: formal upright, informal upright, slanting, semi cascade and full cascade. However, Ben points out that it is important to remember that bonsai is sculptural art and open to interpretation.

Wiring is used to reposition branches and train the growth of bonsai. Wire should always be removed before it starts digging into the tree’s bark and producing scars. Repotting bonsai depends on the size and species but commonly occurs every two to five years. At Phipps, we repot our bonsai every two years but rarely use a larger pot. “Most of the time we trim the roots and remove the old soil and then put it back into the same pot or another of similar size,” says Ben. He also shares that although the oldest bonsai at Phipps is 75 years old, age is not significant in judgement at shows. The appearance of age is all that matters when bonsai are evaluated. You could have a 20-year-old bonsai judged higher than a 100-year-old bonsai if the tree has been aged in appearance.

For Phipps, maintaining the bonsai collection requires two dedicated greenhouses to grow and care for them. Ben describes this by saying, “One of the greenhouses is dedicated to tropical bonsai, while the other is for the temperate collection. Phipps’ bonsai collection is unique because although we are in the northern climate, we have a lot of tropical trees.” The collection includes trees like Ficus, cow okra, silver button and even an orange. Phipps also has one staff member dedicated to bonsai and the Japanese Garden which enables them to dedicate time into taking proper care of the collection. Make sure to visit our Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: A Moment of Beauty to see Phipps’ exceptional bonsai collection for yourself!

Photo © Paul Vladuchick