When we see a bonsai there are several things that jump out at us. The first is the size, surely you have noticed that there are some minuscule, others larger and more robust. Another interesting detail is that not all trees have the same shape, there are some very straight, while others fall capriciously. All of this is calculated and work has been done to make the tree look that way. In fact, we can classify the types of bonsai according to these well-defined characteristics. Read on and you'll learn everything you need to know about sorting and caring for your bonsai.
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Types of Bonsai
When we talk about bonsai we are referring to the cultivation technique and not precisely to the species of tree. In fact, it is possible to make a bonsai with practically any type of tree, although there will always be some that look better than others and that is why they are popular. It is important to know that these bonsai styles are not mandatory and that adhering to these guidelines depends entirely on who makes the tree, their interpretation of the tree's natural anatomy, creativity, and aesthetic preferences. There are several ways to classify bonsai, but size and bearing are the most popular. If you want to surprise everyone, memorize the names in Japanese and you'll look like an expert.
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Depending on your
Keishi
sizeThese bonsai trees are about 2.5 to 3 cm tall. They are a rarity that is usually seen only in exhibitions and special events, as it is very difficult to have them for the long term.
Shito
Shito bonsai
are other very small bonsai, about 7.5 cm tall. They are very cute, but like keishi they don't usually live for long. What is usually done is to display them and then transfer them to another tray so that it grows properly.
Mame
Mame bonsai trees are usually about 15 cm long. They are quite small but can be maintained for a long time, although they require more specific care to keep them at that size.
Shohin
Shohin size is one of the most popular as it is in the middle of the spectrum. It measures a maximum of 25 centimeters, so even though it is small, it is much easier to maintain. Tradition dictates that these trees should be able to be held in the palm of your hand.
Kifu Sho
The Kifu Sho is slightly larger than previous miniatures. It can be up to 40 centimeters tall. They tend to be a little more eye-catching, not only because of their size, but also because they allow more artistic freedom when it comes to forming the branches.
Chumono
This bonsai ranges from medium to large. In order for a tree to be considered within this category, it must be between 40 and 80 centimeters tall. They make a big impression because we all have the idea that bonsai are minuscule. That said, they are very easy to care for, as you don't need to be so aware of the roots and branches.
Omono and Hachi Uye
These are the largest sizes of bonsa. The Omono should be between 80 and 100 centimeters tall, while the Hachi Uye ranges from 100 to 120 centimeters tall. They are trees modeled like bonsai and are not as common.
When styling the trunk of a bonsai, the aim is to emulate the shape of the tree in nature, but also to take into account the natural characteristics of the tree's structure (branches, size and shape of the leaves, for example) to create a work of art. This is precisely what makes bonsai so much more than a tree on a tray. We can classify bonsai according to their trunk as:
Chokkan - Upright Formal
In this type of bonsai the main trunk is straight, long and upright. The branches protrude from the trunk, thicker at the bottom of the crown and thinner at the top. The roots should protrude slightly from the substrate, evenly around the trunk.
Moyogi – Informal Upright
The trunk and
branches may have curves and bends, but the tip of the tree trunk will always be aligned with the base of the trunk. In this way, the curves of the branches remain in the middle part of the tree, but it still retains its upright bearing. The branches also go progressively, leaving the thickest ones at the bottom of the crown and the smaller ones at the top, giving the conical or triangular shape.
Hokidachi – Broom
Imagine you have a broom, flip it over, and leave the bristles in the air. This type of bonsai is characterized by having an upright trunk, but the branches form a rounded crown. The branches should be 1/3 the height of the trunk. This type of arrangement is usually done with trees that have very thin and abundant branches, such as elms.
Shakan - Inclined
The trunk is straight, like the upright formal style, but emerges from the ground at a certain angle. This inclination causes the tip of the tree trunk to be to the right or left of the base and roots. The inclination of the trunk also makes the branches parallel to the ground, which gives it a very particular look that you have surely seen.
Kengai – Waterfall
Kengai bonsai trees seek to emulate those trees that grow on the banks of rivers or on the edges of a mountain. Here the inclination of the trunk causes the branches to fall completely downwards, beyond the base of the pot. It is easy to identify, not only because it looks like it is going to fall out of the container, but also because unlike the other types of bonsai that go in flat trays, this one is planted in tall and thin pots that allow you to admire its size.
Han-Kengai – Semi Married
It is very similar to the waterfall style, only that the branches of the bonsai do not fall to the base of the pot but barely reach the level of the rim. It's a little less dramatic, but just as handsome.
Bunjingi - Literati
Here the focus of the bonsai is the trunk, which can be bent into sinuous shapes and the branches and leaves are reduced to a minimum. It's not very popular, but it has its charm. The tree seeks to emulate the fine strokes of Japanese kanji or Chinese ideograms.
Fukinagashi – Swept by the Wind
It seeks to emulate a tree that has been blown by the powerful force of the wind, as if it were on top of a mountain or on the coast. It offers a very striking effect, because it seems that it is exposed to huge winds all the time because all its leaves are oriented to the same side. This style can be combined with other types of basic styles (informa, formal upright, semi-waterfall, etc.) and looks beautiful in compositions with several trees. Because of its difficulty, it is an uncommon style.
Yose-ue – Forest
Rather than referring to one type of tree, this encompasses compositions created with multiple trees. They are usually made in odd numbers, with the same species of trees although they may have different heights and ages. The sides of the forest trays are very low, to give height and show the roots.
Ishitsuki – Climbing on the Rocks
The tree protrudes from a rock, but the roots reach to touch the substrate of the pot. This arrangement seeks to emulate those plants whose roots grow in rocks, developing long roots that reach the ground. The rock functions as a container, with the tree following the contours of the rock.
Neagari – Exposed Roots
These bonsai trees represent those trees exposed to difficult conditions, such as stony ground, that have exposed their roots. This arrangement allows the plant to obtain a light appearance, because it appears suspended in the air by the aerial roots.
Ikadabuki
It looks like a set of different trees, but the truth is that all stems grow from the same trunk. This style mimics a natural phenomenon that occurs when a tree falls sideways for some reason and the branches growing on the exposed side of the tree continue to grow upwards, as if it were a clump of new trunks. Sometimes roots develop independently of these shoots.
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Before
talking about thecare of bonsai according to its type, it is important to emphasize that a good part of the success of maintaining and caring for a bonsai depends on the amount of information you have about your tree. You have to know the species of tree, what its requirements are, as well as having an idea about the place where it is located: lighting, humidity, among others. The more you know, the better, because you can create the ideal environmental conditions that will also lighten your workload. A plant located in the right place will require less attention than one that you need to move to chase the sun or that you need to puverize more to maintain humidity levels, for example.
There is no universal care or precise watering schedule for plants. You have to learn to know your plant, understand its needs, and place it in the best possible place. There are basic, simple care that will give you a guide to your bonsai's needs. At Be Green we give you a card with these instructions when we bring you your plant, but after this it's all about you observing your plant and learning about it. Certain styles of bonsai require some particular care:
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Shohin & Mame Care
These miniature trees require a little extra maintenance. This is for several reasons, first of all they are in a small tray with little substrate, so the moisture evaporates quickly and you have to be very aware of the watering. On the other hand, you have to look very carefully at the branches and leaves to notice any strange changes or possible pests that could attack it.
In order to keep its shape and size within the standards, it is important to prune it properly and precisely, because being so small, a new leaf can ruin the whole set. Another point to keep in mind is that these bonsai are a bit more delicate, so even when they are in full sun it is better to protect them with a little shade. Watch out for strong winds, which can knock them over and overdry them.
Waterfall and semi-waterfall bonsai care
These are medium-difficulty styles. You have to pay attention to the branches because they are the ones that will give the character to the tree, pretending that it has grown in difficult conditions. The branches should be straight. You have to pay attention to the fall of the branches, remembering that in the semi-waterfall nape should be the same height as the base of the pot, but barely reach the edge. Remember to prune the leaves frequently, giving the crown a pyramidal shape if possible.
Chokkan Bonsai Care
The upright formal style Bonsai requires simulating the growth of the tree in ideal conditions: enough light, without having to compete for space, with plenty of water and with a good climate. This will produce a perfectly straight, thicker trunk at the base. You have to pay attention to the crown, pruning any branches that stick out and ruin the whole. The idea is to have a triangular cup.
A good pruning trick is to allow the formation of triads at the top, that is, that there is a rear branch and two lateral branches, creating a triangular shape. This allows the tree to look fuller at the top and gives depth to the whole.