The Ultimate Art for Your Home - Indoor Bonsai
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Many modern Japanese families have maintained a wonderful
tradition, the Tokonoma - or display area just inside the main
entrance to the home. In it, there is a display area that is
rather boxlike, hiding the light fixtures above.
The display area itself it typically decorated using bamboo
matting and/or fine woven reeds. Prominent shelves are used to
display Bonsai on intricate wooden stands. Upper and lower
shelving are used to display complimentary plantings, figurines,
or viewing stones.
Everything about the display is designed to bring the viewers
focus to the bonsai.
Since most Japanese homes do their entertaining while seated on
the floor, their display(s) are designed to be best viewed from
that level - but most Western bonsai enthusiasts adjust the
optimal viewing height for those seated in chairs.
As an art form, indoor bonsai displays can be very symbolic in
nature. For example, the Black Pine Bonsai wishes the guest long
life; the Nandia Bonsai prosperity; and the Bamboo Bonsai
perseverance.
Your indoor bonsai display offers and excellent opportunity for
you to be artistic, creative, and yet still maintain that
"traditional" bonsai look and feel. I think you'll be pleasantly
surprised that amount of conversation generated by even the
smallest of displays ;-)!
With that in mind...let's take a look at a few tree species
suitable for an indoor bonsai display.
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Indoor Bonsai - the Most Popular Species
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Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Weeping fig is a tropical species that is a particularly
favorable specimen to train for bonsai. The majority of plants in
this species need strong lighting, ambient humidity, stable
environmental temperatures and soil that drains promptly. It is
suitable for those just starting out as it is very forgiving in
terms of the type of soil used, deficient lighting and over/under
watering. Almost all ficus develop aerial roots that descend from
the branches and develop into additional trunks.
Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
This species is indigenous to South Africa. Being a member of the
succulent family, this species can stockpile water in its
foliage.
Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
This species is an evergreen and is indigenous to Asia. Its
undersized foliage and subtle brushwood make it extremely
favorable as indoor bonsai. This species typically defoliates at
a specific stage of growth, but will maintain its color in
temperate environments or when cultivated inside.
China Doll (Radermachera sinica)
This species is indigenous to China. The foliage has a glossy
appearance and a deep green coloring. Growth must be monitored so
that adequate pruning is provided thus preventing overgrowth.
Serissa Foetida (Tree of a Thousand Stars)
There is only a single species of plant that belongs to the group
Serissa; Serissa foetida. It is a flowering evergreen shrub that
consists of dark green and egg-shaped broad foliage. An offensive
odor emanates from the foliage when damaged, hence the name.
Serissa blossoms almost continually despite the time of year, but
growth is most vigorous between spring and autumn. The blossoms
of this species for the most part are pallid in color. Varieties
with leafage that is speckled with hues other than the basic
green also exist.
-------------------------------------------------
"ANY" Bonsai can be an Indoor Bonsai
-------------------------------------------------
Keep in mind that any of your bonsai can be an indoor bonsai, at
least temporarily.
I frequently bring some of my larger "outdoor" specimens inside
for display when I have social gatherings. Nothing sets off a
display better than a stunning Japanese Red Maple when it's
foliage is at it's peak! Be creative with your indoor displays by
rotating your plants indoors for short-term displays, and you'll
see just how stunning bonsai can be as an art form.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Many modern Japanese families have maintained a wonderful
tradition, the Tokonoma - or display area just inside the main
entrance to the home. In it, there is a display area that is
rather boxlike, hiding the light fixtures above.
The display area itself it typically decorated using bamboo
matting and/or fine woven reeds. Prominent shelves are used to
display Bonsai on intricate wooden stands. Upper and lower
shelving are used to display complimentary plantings, figurines,
or viewing stones.
Everything about the display is designed to bring the viewers
focus to the bonsai.
Since most Japanese homes do their entertaining while seated on
the floor, their display(s) are designed to be best viewed from
that level - but most Western bonsai enthusiasts adjust the
optimal viewing height for those seated in chairs.
As an art form, indoor bonsai displays can be very symbolic in
nature. For example, the Black Pine Bonsai wishes the guest long
life; the Nandia Bonsai prosperity; and the Bamboo Bonsai
perseverance.
Your indoor bonsai display offers and excellent opportunity for
you to be artistic, creative, and yet still maintain that
"traditional" bonsai look and feel. I think you'll be pleasantly
surprised that amount of conversation generated by even the
smallest of displays ;-)!
With that in mind...let's take a look at a few tree species
suitable for an indoor bonsai display.
-------------------------------------------------
Indoor Bonsai - the Most Popular Species
-------------------------------------------------
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Weeping fig is a tropical species that is a particularly
favorable specimen to train for bonsai. The majority of plants in
this species need strong lighting, ambient humidity, stable
environmental temperatures and soil that drains promptly. It is
suitable for those just starting out as it is very forgiving in
terms of the type of soil used, deficient lighting and over/under
watering. Almost all ficus develop aerial roots that descend from
the branches and develop into additional trunks.
Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
This species is indigenous to South Africa. Being a member of the
succulent family, this species can stockpile water in its
foliage.
Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
This species is an evergreen and is indigenous to Asia. Its
undersized foliage and subtle brushwood make it extremely
favorable as indoor bonsai. This species typically defoliates at
a specific stage of growth, but will maintain its color in
temperate environments or when cultivated inside.
China Doll (Radermachera sinica)
This species is indigenous to China. The foliage has a glossy
appearance and a deep green coloring. Growth must be monitored so
that adequate pruning is provided thus preventing overgrowth.
Serissa Foetida (Tree of a Thousand Stars)
There is only a single species of plant that belongs to the group
Serissa; Serissa foetida. It is a flowering evergreen shrub that
consists of dark green and egg-shaped broad foliage. An offensive
odor emanates from the foliage when damaged, hence the name.
Serissa blossoms almost continually despite the time of year, but
growth is most vigorous between spring and autumn. The blossoms
of this species for the most part are pallid in color. Varieties
with leafage that is speckled with hues other than the basic
green also exist.
-------------------------------------------------
"ANY" Bonsai can be an Indoor Bonsai
-------------------------------------------------
Keep in mind that any of your bonsai can be an indoor bonsai, at
least temporarily.
I frequently bring some of my larger "outdoor" specimens inside
for display when I have social gatherings. Nothing sets off a
display better than a stunning Japanese Red Maple when it's
foliage is at it's peak! Be creative with your indoor displays by
rotating your plants indoors for short-term displays, and you'll
see just how stunning bonsai can be as an art form.
