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!

Serissa is a little evergreen shrub that can grow 50 cms tall. It was first spotted in Southeast Asia, amidst damp and moist open woodland. The leaves come in opposite sides. Funnel shaped flowers are often produced by the Serissa bonsai especially during the summer. Thus it earns the nickname "tree of a thousand stars."

There's a wide variety of Serissa that is currently being cultivated targeted to bonsai enthusiasts. They are commonly found throughout Europe, especially in Britain. Serissa is famous for being hard maintenance especially to bonsai newbies. They've the tendency to drop their leaves, sometimes even turning yellow, when the proper growing conditions aren't followed.

Since they come from a subtropical location, Serissa bonsai has to be grown at a temperature that's below 7 degree Celsius. Indoor cultivation is highly suggested when the bonsai enthusiast is considering of growing Serissa.

It important that the Serissa tree also gets a couple of weeks outside so that it can get the day and night temperature it needs. Just remember to bring it indoors when the temperature drops right below 7 degree Celsius, be it day or night. You have to look for a bright position for your plant. Make sure that it is not too sunny.

For some reason, serissa bonsai don't like to be continuously wet from watering. They like that their roots be moist instead. Thus, the watering process of a serissa bonsai is by checking the dry compost once in a while. Water it thoroughly but do not drain it too much. It is alright to water the Serissa bonsai on a daily basis but check if the plant requires misting.

Remove the serissa's suckers by styling the trunk in such a way that it becomes multiple. Prune one or two leaves using bonsai scissors or shears of the bonsai in order to shape it properly.

If the Serissa bonsai is yellowing, it is apt to diseases and pests. By properly placing the bonsai on a moist and well-regulated place with the right temperature, then there's no need to worry because the right humidity can help keep diseases and pests away from the Serissa.

If you're wondering what the proper way to style a Serissa is, wonder no more. Any style can do as long as it can grow its small or medium size - which is 50 cms tall.

Because some Serissa tend to have think trunks, get a pot that is shallow in order for the plant to appropriately grow in its container. For aesthetic purposes, you can also get one that has a decoration.

Bonsai trees can be quite challenging to grow and maintain especially if you're a newbie and know nothing about them. However, there's one particular favorite bonsai well suited for neophytes that is the Jade Bonsai. Also known as the Small Leaf Jade or Elephant Plant, this succulent plant is native to South Africa.

The Jade tree bonsai develops more swiftly than other types of bonsai. It has a very extensive trunk and can grow up to 3 to 4 meters in the wild. Because it is succulent, it has a great capacity to hold water in its thick leaves, branches, and trunk, meaning it doesn't need often watering compared to other types.

The lovely tree is easy to maintain and it looks great. While the plant is young its bark is green but it eventually turns reddish brown to slate gray as it matures. It has fleshy leaves that have a blue-green color and produces bunches of star-shaped pinkish to purple flowers during autumn. Its thick and slender trunk and branches make beautiful cascades. The Jade Bonsai is beautiful as a home or office ornament.

Even though the Jade Bonsai is easier to maintain unlike the other types, it still needs proper tailored care. Being a tropical plant, it cannot tolerate very cold climates. So if you live in a cold region, it is ideal to keep it inside as an indoor plant. Meanwhile if you're in a warmer area that is full of sunshine, the plant will do superior outdoors. You should still water it regularly but be careful in adding too much water. Just remember to keep the soil moist.

Like in any other bonsai, pruning and shaping is part of its care. Pruning is needed for stronger trunk growth and for reducing the leaf-size. Reducing the trunk encourages new growth from the wound after a week or two. Be sure to pinch gently on the trunk and branches since the Jade tree is soft and delicate.

The Jade tree responds very well to wiring and can be contoured in new shapes within three to four weeks. Be very careful in wiring because the branches can snap if they're bent too much. Because the branches become turgid when full of water, be conservative in watering the plant prior to wiring it so decrease the chances of snapping it.

Your Jade bonsai also needs to be re-potted every two years. Done early in spring, it is important to dry the soil fully before re-potting. Then, place it in a shady place until you see new growth. After that, water it as usual.

How do you describe an indoor bonsai? Is it a bonsai tree grown in a greenhouse, or one that's grown inside your home, or an outdoor plant that was brought indoor each winter? Regardless where they're grown, bonsai trees have the same requirements. Although they are miniaturized trees, like any other tree, they need adequate sunlight exposure which is the primary concern for an indoor bonsai.

Most indoor bonsai trees come from species that are indigenous to subtropical or tropical regions. The plant should be placed in a well-lighted area of the home where there's enough light, usually near the window. Since it is the nature of the plant to seek where the light is coming from, it is important to rotate the plant so that the branches will grow equally and become easier to train. Although these trees can be grown and trained indoors all year round, it is advisable to bring tropical bonsai trees outdoors during summer and be kept strictly inside the home during winter.

Some people don't realize that the natural light entering their home is still not enough to stimulate the plant to synthesize its required energy. If you lack sufficient light for your bonsai, you can supply this need by placing a fluorescent lamp over it. The lamp should be about six inches above your plant. You can use an affordable twin forty watt bulb. To augment sunlight especially during winter, turn on the lamp for 12 hours.

Meanwhile bonsai trees that are produced from temperate species should be kept in a period of dormancy each autumn in order to survive. They should be kept in a cool and strongly lit room.

Another vital element of basic care for indoor bonsai is water. Knowing how often you need to water your plant is very crucial. You can determine if your plant needs water by scratching the soil using your finger. If it is still moist, then it doesn't need water. You can also plant a wooden stick in the soil and leave it there. To know if you already need to water your bonsai, pull the stick and check whether it is moist or dry.

Water your bonsai tree overhead. Allow the water to be absorbed by the plant for a few seconds before pouring another splash of water.

Giving your bonsai plant fertilizer is the third important part basic care. You can give feed in a schedule by following the manufacturer's directions. You might begin fertilizing when your bonsai is actively growing to augment its increasing needs.

Follow these tips in taking care of your indoor bonsai. Choose a species that can easily be grown indoors.

Are you running out of gift ideas? Do you want to give the usual home appliance to friends and family? Just imagine receiving something fresh, one-of-a-kind, and far from the usual blender you usually get at weddings and anniversaries. It's nearly certain that you're gift will truly be appreciated and not be recycled.

A bonsai tree not only has an aesthetic appeal but also exudes a symbolic and enchanting appearance. This gift idea is something fresh, both figuratively and literally speaking. Its artistic and miniature arrangement makes it a classy gift to give and receive. The time and age aspect possessed by a bonsai tree also makes it unique.

It is an excellent wedding gift for newly weds especially for those who were together for years before getting married. The bonsai tree is a great symbol to represent the number of years that it took the couple to prepare and decide to bind their souls as the perfect match just enjoy it took the bonsai tree years to be pruned and shaped to get to its majestic form.

The bonsai tree is also a great gift for those who have celebrated many magnificent and memorable years together. It can be an anniversary gift that equals the journey that the couple has gone through the years. It can be a reminder of wonderful memories they had and the challenges that they had overcome as their marriage flourished through the years. The couple can also look at it as a symbol of the good years to come. Ultimately, it a great wedding anniversary present because the age of the bonsai tree can equal the number of years the married couple has been together. It is this element that makes it a thoughtful and romantic gift.

There are a many bonsai trees sold as gifts that you can order on the market. These are usually for indoors and table top bonsai trees. You can select from a variety of single trees or a combination of three to seven trees in one container to make your mini tropical forest garden. When choosing this as a gift, consider the knowledge of the person to whom you're giving the bonsai tree. If he's a bonsai collector you probably don't need to give him some bonsai tree care tips or a bonsai tool kit. However, if he is clueless about bonsai trees, you might need to think of a bonsai tree that is easier to manage.

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