The bonsai is a type of cultivation of stem plants, born many centuries ago in China and then exported and perfected in Japan later. The term means to grow in pots. To be able to maintain a bonsai it is certainly advisable to adequately prune the roots that expand in depth, as well as provide for periodic repotting and pruning of the branches to adequately maintain the characteristics. The bonsai must have particular properties to be defined as such: the conicity of the trunk, the reduced size of the leaves and a general naturalness of the plant. In the East, the bonsai technique is considered a union between art and nature and must follow basic principles that also reflect the correct characteristics of each individual plant.

To be able to correctly evaluate a bonsai, 5 fundamental points should be taken into consideration: the root system, the trunk, the branches, the leaves and finally the apex. The roots should be radially arranged and the part of the root that will penetrate the soil should be visible. The trunk should have a straight and sinuous course, fairly broad at the base and thinner moving towards the top. The branches should be arranged so that the larger ones extend to the rear and to the sides, leaving the smaller ones in front. The leaves should be kept very small, by administering the correct amount of water and fertilizers and proceeding with the pinching of the tips or the defoliation. The apex should be viable and not broken.

Bonsai could be obtained using several different methods: from seed, from cuttings, from layering, from nursery plants, from plants collected in nature (prohibited in Italy) or from pre-bonsai. The seed method will be the most natural and can take place either in spring or late autumn depending on the type. The ideal soil will be 50% sand and 50% peat. Using a cutting the procedure will certainly be more immediate, either using a woody cutting or using a semi-woody one. The cutting should be taken from another bonsai and kept moist at the tip. Layering will be the quickest way to get a bonsai, but you will have to choose a suitable branch and use the best technique to grow the roots on that branch.

Ginseng and Ficus retusa which is grown as bonsai. The plant has a large and enlarged stem with voluminous and gnarled aerial roots. The leaves tend to spread out and it will be quite difficult to keep them as small as the technique requires. an evergreen plant, which will have a continuous development throughout the year. To grow, the plant needs the right amount of humidity that should be artificially replenished, since the air in the apartment will be dry so they will be vaporized. Watering should be regular, certainly avoiding stagnation. It will be important to fertilize properly because ginseng will require a lot of mineral salts. This bonsai is afraid of pruning and it is important to do it on small branches.

• bonsai care

  
  As with all plants, the red maple bonsai also cannot tolerate excess water, which could cause rot.
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• bonsai care

  
  The Ficus retusa (or Ficus microcarpa) cultivated as bonsai is called ficus ginseng, this is because the plant develops u
  visit: bonsai care