The Art of Bonsai

A bonsai tree is also styled by wiring the branches. Gently go around each branch, around each needle, with wire. The wire branches are pliable, and bending them changes the way the tree grows.

To grow your own bonsai garden, the first step is to prepare the pot. Trim the roots, anchor the tree into the pot with wire and add soil. Now it's time to prune — this is where the true design work begins. Start at the top and think about where you want this tree to go. The key is to envision the future of the tree. Pruning provides the silhouette, the outer shape of the tree. It needs to be done once a year on most varieties.

Typically you would put a houseplant and into a six- to 10-inch pot, and the plant gets bigger and bigger. To keep a bonsai tree small, cut the roots and put the tree back in the same small pot every two to five years, depending on the variety. This miniaturizes the tree.

You can turn almost any tree into a bonsai. Like their full-size counterparts, many bonsai go through an annual transformation: a maple tree will turn red and drop in the fall foliage, an azalea will flower in the spring and a fruit tree will produce tiny fruit. For a tree to survive, it needs its natural climate. An old juniper, for example, has to go through the change of seasons. It needs the cold to go through dormancy.

Once the plant is potted, pruned and wired, add a few finishing touches to create a living sculpture. Like an artist, a bonsai enthusiast can get lost in the project. This can be a great stress reducer, and the end result is immensely satisfying. These little trees can be demanding, though. They need tender loving care and can seem like more of a pet than a plant. A bonsai needs daily interaction. If you go on vacation and neglect it, then bonsai is not for you. And you can love this tree every bit as much as a pet and get really attached to it.

Bonsai likes it on the drier side, so don't over-water. And keep in mind, with special care, your bonsai will last for generations.