Bonsai is one of the plants that have been known for a long time in Indonesia. Maybe some of us are familiar with bonsai and even have bonsai at home.
Bonsai is a dwarf plant commonly planted in shallow pots. In Japanese, bonsai comes from the word bon which means pot and sai which means plant. Harmony between pots and plants is one of the main elements in addition to other elements such as stem, tree height, spreading roots, branches, twigs, large leaves, fruits or flowers. Overall a bonsai is a miniature of a great old tree in an enhanced outdoors. Furthermore, a bonsai represents harmony of the universe whose main element consists of: the heavens, the earth and man. This is reflected in the form of bonsai which is always an asymmetric triangle.
The highest point of bonsai represents the sky, the lowest point symbolizes the earth while the middle symbolizes the human. This is very different from ornamental plants grown in pots that often only highlight the beauty of the color or shape of leaves, flowers or fruit without regard to harmonious overall plant and harmony between the plant itself with the pot.
Bonsai is also one of the art of pruning plants or trees to grow dwarf, mini or midget and through the process of training (the process of enhancing the shape of the tree). Training is the most important element and the main technique in the process of making bonsai that continues throughout the life of the tree. Therefore, to obtain the perfect bonsai takes a relatively long time (many years). In addition, it also requires creativity, patience, persistence, and love of the manufacturer to the plant as the main foundation in the manufacture and care of bonsai.
Keep in mind, dwarfs in the art of bonsai have a broad understanding. Each type of plant has different dwarf limits. It could be a 1 meter high categorized as a dwarf and whose height is only 0.5 meters is not included in the dwarf category. So, dwarfs in the art of bonsai are plants that have a dwarf / petite appearance than the original plant.
Plants made into bonsai generally have hard-lined trees (woody), fruitful trees and sometimes flowering trees. The artistic effect of bonsai is usually seen from the balance of the size of the stems, leaves, twigs, flowers or fruits and pots used. Therefore, the pots used should be those that support the plant or planted trees. In addition, a good bonsai should also be placed outdoors (out door) throughout the year.