Tips and Techniques:In a Pot

摘要

A significant part of the definition of "bonsai" is "grown in a pot." This separates the art of bonsai from forms of horticulture where the plant is grown in the ground. A further complication is that a bonsai is, hopefully, a very long lived creation... decades rather than months. When one commits to growing a plant in a pot, one commits to providing for all of the plant's needs: water, nutrition, light, soil composition, and temperature compatible with the plant's natural needs. The plant's needs must be met on a continuing daily basis.The serious illness of a longtime club member found me doing the bittersweet job of distributing his extensive bonsai collection to a younger generation to provide future care and improvement for the trees. It was clear that one on the basic needs for his trees had gradually become in need of attention. The light available had was insufficient for many of the bonsai. Growth of overhanging landscape trees and a beautiful wisteria vine had changed a partly shaded growing area into a heavily shaded environment. Some of the trees liked the change. Others suffered badly.