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SIMPLE STYLES OF HAVING YOUR OWN BONSAI

Knowing different styles is not very important because once you carefully study the nature you can easily understand how a tree grows in nature and what are the basic necessities for the tree to grow in a particular season. So it becomes easier for you to design your own bonsai in your own interesting way.

Anyway, before you make an attempt to do so it is always safe for beginners like you to know the basic principles behind classifying the styles of bonsai. You can always use them as a reference for your own imagination.

Natural characteristics of the plant must always be kept in mind while handling the plant as your style must strictly suit the original habitat of the plant.

Now let us start identifying the basic styles used in bonsai to have a realistic effect without harming the natural conditions of the tree. The two basic styles of bonsai are the classic (koten) and the informal or ‘comic’ (bunjin).

The five most frequently used styles in bonsai are mentioned below and you can learn their details by clicking on the option mentioned below.
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FORMAL UPRIGHT (CHOKKAN)

This type of style is very symmetrical as the trunk is perfectly straight tapering in a very natural way and is even from base to apex. From any direction the view must appear symmetrical hence the branches are spaced or pruned accordingly. It is the most preferred style.

This style can be designed by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • One third of the trunk must be visible from the front side.
  • The first branch from the bottom is one-third the total height of the tree and is the heaviest branch, which makes a right angle to the trunk.
  • The next branch is opposite the previous one and the whole structure of the tree appears like a tapering cone.
  • Dense foliage must appear at the top, which makes the internal structure invisible.
  • The tip of the tree is slightly bending towards the viewer as if appealing to the spectators.
  • Care must be taken that the branches could ascend by alternating each other.
  • For the taper at the top of the tree the tip has to be cut off every year and the wiring has to be done accordingly to position the new branch from the apex. It is a little difficult task but produces magnificent results on the maturing of the tree and after the prominence of the curve.

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INFORMAL UPRIGHT (MOYOGI)

As the name suggests the tree is restricted for growth either on the left or right slightly but not towards the viewer. In natural conditions you will find this type of trees bending opposite to the direction of wind flow or towards the light.

This style can be designed by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • The trunk for this style must also be tapering but the direction of the trunk and branch positioning is also very informal.
  • The trunk can also be in a twisted form or curved one to add more effect.
  • Dense foliage is seen just above the base of the tree. This is a significant feature of this style.

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SLANTING (SHAKAN)

These types of trees occur in slanting style in their natural conditions whether curved or twisted they are bent at a definite angle. Due to which the stronger roots grow out on the side to support the tree.

This style can be designed by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • The trunk can be straight or curved but it has to bend at a definite angle.
  • The tree can have angle to the left or right but never in the front.
  • The apex must not be appearing exactly above the base of the tree.
  • Training of the tree is done with wires to the desired angle at an early age.
  • By slanting the pot itself the tree can be trained to grow in that angle.

    COMMON NOTE:

    For all the three styles i.e. formal upright, informal upright and slanted styles, number three plays an vital role as the lowest branches are grouped in three and this grouping is done one third up from the base. In the bottom three branches surround the trunk with one branch arising between the two and the two branches are pushed a little forward with one slightly lower then the other. The entire combination sets a good tone.

 

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CASCADE

This is the style of a tree growing on a sloping mountain. The species with thick trunk and short conical head are most preferred. The tip of the tree falls below the bottom of the pot. This style if properly maintained gives an aesthetic pleasing. The whole picture appears as if the tree is forced down naturally.

This style can be designed by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • The main trunk is wired in the manner that it falls down from the edge of the pot.
  • The portion of the tree, which is trained downwards, must take an upside down U shape.
  • The tree must be always potted in the centre of the pot.

 

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SEMICASCADE

This is a style, which is limited to the edge of the pot but does not drop down. In nature the trees appear on cliffs or overhang water. The angle does not matter as far as the effect is horizontal. The roots, which are outside, balance the tree.

This style can be designed by fulfilling the following requirements:

As the name suggests the principles behind this style is the same as that of the cascade style but the tree does not drop outside the pot.

This style can be designed by fulfilling the following requirements:

As the name suggests the principles behind this style is the same as that of the cascade style but the tree does not drop outside the pot.

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