Bonsai Some Things I Learned Along the Way
Bonsai (often misspelled bonzi or bonzai) is a Japanese word, meaning 'tree in a tray'.
For many people, growing these small plants is a hobby, some think it a huge challenge. For me, it has been a joy and a lifestyle.
Let's start with the basics ...
Scientifically speaking, there is no such thing as "bonsai trees".
Many different kinds of plants are used to create them.
They are not a species.
Some are not trees at all, they are often shrubs, vines or even succulents.
The tree shown here is a Tamarindus indica, the true Tamarind tree. I created it from nursery stock.
No matter what you start with, bonsai all have two basic elements:
Although China is usually credited with the origin of this art form, today it is a global pastime.
In the Orient, many trees, hundreds of years old, have been maintained by families through generations.
Around the world today, years of loving care have given us many newer beautiful specimens.
This website will resolve some of the mystery, dispel myths and share the magic I discovered during my many years of growing these small treasures.
In additon, please consider my free Monthly Newsletter:
Bonsai Banter is available by subscription. It arrives with personal tidbits, comments, stories and current items you may not find here on the site.
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Staying in Touch . . .
Stay in touch with what's happening at BonsaiMary. It's easy to know when there's a new page or special announcement.
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Types of Bonsai Trees
Bonsai are classified in many ways. By shape, by size and by species. Types of bonsai trees for this site means the species used.
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Bahama Berry
Discovering a new plant for use as bonsai is quite exciting. The Bahama Berry was especially so, as it seemed perfect. The tiny leaves, flowers and fruit were exactly what we look for!
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Buttonwood
There are many plants with the common name of buttonwood. But for bonsai Conocarpus erectus (Combretum Family) is one of the most popular collected tropical trees in the States.
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Jade Bonsai
Portulacaria afra is much easier to develop as jade bonsai than the
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juniper bonsai
Juniper bonsai is perhaps the most recognized species used to create these little trees. Although used for many years by hobbyists;it was made popular with the public in a movie. Juniper quickly becam
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Mimosa Bonsai
Mimosa Bonsai in the tropics are created from the Leucaena glauca. If you've never tried a bonsai from seeds, creating this Mimosa Bonsai may be the perfect choice. Unlike pine trees, you wo
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Growing Bonsai Trees Indoors
Are you growing bonsai trees indoors? As a friend once told me "God never created house plants". To keep any plant healthy indoors, the more you duplicate its natural environment the happier
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Bonsai Tools
Bonsai tools are created with shapes and sharpness to do specific jobs and to do them well. Hundreds of different shapes and sizes can be found on-line, in shops and in catalogues.
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Bonsai Tree Articles
For several years I wrote for Bonsai Today magazine, many of those bonsai tree articles are here. A few others were written for gardening publications and others for my newsletters. I hope you will e
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Bonsai Myths
There are many bonsai myths connected with growing bonsai trees. Some seem somewhat logical; others are difficult to imagine how they ever came about. Some of the more common myths are listed here. Af
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Bonsai Care
Bonsai care instructions should be specific to your tree. Since bonsai are created from many different kinds of plants, they often require different cultivation. To properly care for your bonsai, it
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Plant Pests and Bonsai
Growing bonsai? Knowing plant pests comes with the territory! Because we use many different kinds of plants to create bonsai trees, there are many different problems to watch for. Any art
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Small Greenhouse Ideas
A small greenhouse may be the answer, for storing your tropical bonsai trees during winter...especially if you've gone beyond your alloted window space. Greenhouses come in many forms. You've probabl
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Contact Bonsai Mary
This is the place to contact Bonsai Mary with your ideas, comments and suggestions. I have lots of plans, but always welcome your input.
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Convention Bonsai Photos
Bonsai photos from the 2010 Bonsai Societies of Florida convention in Kissimmee, FL.
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Bahama Berry Bragging
It's time for Bahama Berry bragging. I've shown you one of the first. Now it’s your turn.
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Buttonwood Bonsai Photos
Buttonwood bonsai is one of the most significant American trees adapted to the art of bonsai. These buttonwood bonsai photos will prove it!
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Ficus bonsai photos
Ficus bonsai photos appear in many recent bonsai books. There is good reason. Throughout the world, Ficus is one of the most exciting tropicals to work with.
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Fukien Tea Photos
It’s rare to attend a bonsai exhibit in Florida and not find several Fukien Tea. This tropical bonsai is also popular around the world. This is the place to show off your photos!
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Jade Bonsai Tree Pictures
Sometimes called miniature jade bonsai because of its small leaves, and similarity to crassula, Portulacaria afra is the best of succulents to be adapted to the art of bonsai. Although easy to grow
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Juniper Bonsai Pictures
Juniper bonsai pictures seem to best show what bonsai is all about. Although used for many years by hobbyists, junipers were made popular with the public in the original Karate Kid movie. Juniper
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Serissa Bonsai Photos
Have you had better luck with Serissa bonsai than I have? I know what good bonsai they can be. Time to brag a little. Please share your photo and tell your story here.
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Bonsai Tree Pictures
Many bonsai tree pictures tell a story by themselves. These bonsai photos have commentaries by their owners. You can tell us what you think too!
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Growing Bonsai Trees
My real name is Mary C. Miller. I began growing bonsai trees in Miami, FL during the early 1970s. It wasn't long before I was totally consumed with these little plants. I read about them, I took a cl
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Create a Website -My Secret
Me create a website?After Bonsai with Tropicals was published, I gave a lot of consideration to writing another book. I then decided to create a website instead. I knew I could expand on the content
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Legal Stuff
This page sets out the legal stuff - issues, policies, terms and conditions that you may need to know about using my website.
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Table of Contents
This Table of Contents for the Bonsai Mary site should make it easy to find what you’re looking for.
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