Going back thousands of years ago, the bonsai plant has a colorful history. The Chinese might have been the first race to prune and shape the bonsai plants but records show that bonsais were seen in Egyptian tombs 2000 years ago.

Records also show that Indian herbalists preserved these prized plants in small containers because of the dwarfish sizes 1500 years ago.

But of course, when talking about the modern cultivation of Bonsai, we often turn to the Chinese practice. They started growing the bonsai plant at a period when the peak was cultural learning. Later on, the Japanese adopted the hobby and even associated it to their belief in Buddha. Bonsai became a culture and an art for both the Chinese and the Japanese.

When choosing the right bonsai for you, you must be aware that there are two types: the temperate and the tropical.

Temperate bonsai can live in low temperatures, thanks to their shallow roots. It needs protection from the cold though. Examples of temperate bonsai are the maples and junipers.

Meanwhile, the tropical bonsai has difficulty adjusting to cold temperatures. As much as you can, protect it against frost. Examples of tropical bonsai are the ficus, serissa and bougainvillea.

Be aware of the temperature when you're buying a bonsai. Get one that won't have a hard time adjusting. If you're thinking of getting a bonsai that'll be outdoors 24-7, then get one that can handle it.

If you are getting a bonsai that will be put inside the home, at least, make sure that it gets the right amount of sunlight and enough water. An indoor bonsai needs more water than one grown outdoors.

Generally, bonsai enthusiasts purchased these plants so that they could prune and shape it themselves. If you already have a design in mind, then you should consider this as a factor in deciding what kind of bonsai you'd buy.

Styles of bonsai vary from easy to complicated. But do not worry; there are hundreds of bonsai books you can read.

Whichever style you crop, prune or shape your bonsai, as long as you make sure that the plant gets the sunlight and the water it needs, it will surely bloom and become the plant that you want it to be.

With each bonsai, you'd soon find yourself hooked!

Growing bonsai is both a challenge and an artistic endeavor and it's a practice that is been around for hundreds of years. From its well-respected beginnings in Japan to its growing popularity worldwide, bonsai has definitely conquered our homes and cyberspace.

To join bonsai forums and meet other bonsai growers from around the nation and the world, here are a few sites to check out:

www.helpfulgardener.com
This site isn't exclusively about bonsai, but you can log on to find many helpful tips on how to give your miniature plant the ideal care. Send an e-mail to the Helpful Gardener about any bonsai concerns or register and create a profile to join their forum. Leave a message, ask a question or join a discussion. There is lots to learn about bonsai and bonsai care from this site.

www.bonsaisite.com
If you want to go straight to their forum, log on to http://forums.bonsaisite.com and post your questions or concerns. If you are a newbie, there's no need to be shy. This site is full of helpful tips and tutorials to help you along. With more than 4,800 members, the site features some of the most comprehensive info and tips for bonsai growing and networking.

If you are a novice, join the general forum for questions about bonsai selection and care or if you're more experienced, join their sub-forums for more specialized discussions: special soil preparations, tools, books, tutorials, even a discussion forum dedicated to bonsai bugs. From basic growing techniques to advanced pruning and training, this site's discussion forum covers it all.

www.forums.gardenweb.com
Gardenweb.com is one of the largest communities of gardeners on the web. If you're a newbie, you'll find some very helpful tips from more experienced bonsai growers. If you're an expert, you can share your knowledge and skills through its bonsai forum or exchange techniques with fellow bonsai masters.

This site has a lot of links to different gardening interests, so go straight to their bonsai forum by clicking on the link.

www.bonsaitreeforum.com
This site has a detailed menu for each bonsai concern you might have, from general care to propagation to pests and diseases. Get what you need and post your questions to the right forum. There's also a forum for newbies and a separate forum for bonsai trade in case you want to purchase or sell.

www.bonsaitalk.com
Register yourself for membership to gain access to the bonsaiTALK forum. Can't get enough of bonsai? Share your expertise by critiquing bonsai photos in the gallery or chat on the web with other bonsai fans. Write about bonsai and contribute to the site's journal. Join 9,500 registered members from over 100 countries.