TAKE THE COURSE!

Learn how to create and care for bonsai in Manitoba.

The Bonsai Society of Winnipeg presents an introductory course on Bonsai. More...

BONSAI, A GROWING ART IN MANITOBA

There are many excellent sources for learning about bonsai, but if you live on the Canadian prairies, this web site is designed to help you learn to deal with the local climate conditions, so you too can grow bonsai successfully.

Bonsai, a Japanese word pronounced bone-sigh, translates literally as bon (a tray or pot) and sai (a tree or planting). A tree in a pot! But not just any tree, and not just any pot! See bonsai basics.

Bonsai is the name of an art form. Design principles and sound horticultural practices are used to create small trees. These miniature trees, ranging in height from four inches to about four feet, are trained in shallow pots.The object is to create the appearance, expression and even the feeling of a tree in a natural environment, true to scale with a tree in nature.

Be Successful, Be Prepared

There are lots of reasons to get involved in this hobby, but there are a few things you must be prepared for.

Be prepared to invest some time in your trees nearly every day, maybe just five minutes, but it must be nearly every day (except in the winter when trees are dormant). Vacations can be easily accommodated with a little planning.

You must accept that your trees will not look old and venerable overnight. They may look pretty good in a couple of years, but you must be patient.

You must accept that the trees will be outdoors in the summer, or on a patio, or at least get lots of fresh air and light. The image of a bonsai tree gracing our home and adding a touch of interest to the decor, is a compelling one. The reality is that bonsai trees must be kept where conditions are best for the tree. Trees can be displayed indoors for a few days at a time, but they will not grow well there.

You don’t have to be a horticultural expert, but you must be willing to learn a bit about basic plant growth, types of trees, and their unique growing habits if you expect to succeed.

Bonsai is a combination of horticulture and art... there are some basic guidelines to the art form, which anyone can learn. You must learn these bonsai basics.