Bonsai-bsf.com Bonsai community website
Title
Bonsai Societies of Florida
Description
Bonsai is the propagation and training of trees in special trays. The word "bonsai" means just that: "bon" - tray and "sai" - tree.
Bonsai originated in China and later was adopted and refined by the Japanese. Bonsai culture first appeared as a hobby in the United States following World War II,although many bonsai enthusiasts had been practicing in the U.S. for many years. (Soldiers returning from Japan after the war brought tiny trees with them as souvenirs and some of the trees survived to entice others into the practice of dwarf tree cultivation.) Small collections of pre-World War II bonsai are maintained at various major arboretums on both the east and west coasts of the U.S.
Bonsai should have an aged look. That is the most desirable characteristic in a bonsai. Age can be signified by a sturdy, robust trunk with mature bark, many branches and twigs, roots exposed on the surface of the soil, downward slanting branches, and a general appearance of maturity. Flowering or fruiting trees such as azaleas, quince or apples are admired for their color or fruit and, although an aged appearance is desired, it is not absolutely necessary in order to have a good bonsai.
