Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing miniature trees by limiting the growth of the plant through various pruning and cultivating techniques. As part of this technique (more accurately called the training process), Bonsai trees are cultivate and shaped in containers/trays to limit root growth and provide easy access to the roots, trunk and tree tops for pruning and shaping the plant. The Bonsai method is a year’s long method which requires patience, commitment and dedication before a final tree is completed and requires constant care once the final Bonsai tree shape is attained. Bonsai trees are often confused with dwarfism or dwarfing of trees. In actuality, the two processes are completely different in their approach to creating miniature trees. Click Here for more information on the pruning techniques involved in the Bonsai tree method.
In dwarfing, two methods of genetic manipulation are used to create miniature trees. The two methods are genetic engineering and selective breeding. Genetic engineering changes genes on a microscopic level while selective breeding alters genes looking at the macroscopic effects. In genetic engineering, genes are manipulated to control the growth process. In the specific case of creating miniature trees, genes that promote miniature characteristics or limit growth would be introduced into the genome through splicing. The resulting plant would be considered a hybrid of the two parent plants. Selective breeding is the process by which smaller than normal plant specimens are mated to promote the desire characteristic (in this case miniature trees). This process is repeated until the resulting miniature tree is of the desires size. To learn more about the genetic process visit our Website.
Depriving a plant of specific hormones during the growth process can also result in dwarfing of the specimen. However, the lack of hormones can result in the dwarf specimen not displaying some of the desired aesthetics or size. Practice or experience is the best the way to control the end result when using the hormone approach. For the purposes of creating display miniatures trees, the hormone method is not normally used.
The Bonsai cultivation method and dwarfing are both methods to create miniature species of differing plants and trees. Whichever methodology is applied, the final product is a diminutive specimen exhibiting the characteristics of a full size tree or plant. In the final presentation phase (desired size), the miniature tree created through genetic engineering has certain advantages over the miniature created using the Bonsai pruning techniques. The genetically engineered miniature tree requires only standard maintenance (i.e. watering, removing dead branches, weeding, etc…) to maintain the miniature tree in the desired size and shape. Conversely, the miniature tree created using Bonsai cultivation techniques will require continued pruning and cultivation over the life of the plant. Without this continued attention, the plant will not maintain is desired size and shape. Essentially, the Bonsai method requires more time and attention to maintain.
So, if the desired miniature tree is one the can be taken care of with watering and some general maintenance, a dwarf tree is the proper selection. However, if you want a miniature tree that reflects your personality and want a hobby for life, the Bonsai tree is the proper selection. In either case, miniature trees have been a source of beauty and awe in private gardens and public arboretums for decades and will add a definitive touch to any décor.
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