The art of bonsai is the cultivation of trees, usually dwarf trees, in containers. Elm bonsai is the use of different types of elm trees for the practice of this art. This process consists of pruning, reducing the tree roots, defoliating and implanting to create miniature trees. Elm bonsai has gained in popularity, especially for decorative purposes, mainly because the trees are easy to grow and to maintain, they adjust easily to different types of soil, and they can grow indoors and outdoors.
Most bonsai trees have very small green leaves, twisted and bent trunks and some uncovered roots that give the tree an old-age look. The bark of a bonsai tree can be either smooth or rough. These trees have an ancient history. Thousands of years ago, the love for flowers and plants motivated the Chinese to grow bonsai trees, and over the years, the practice of planting and growing bonsai trees has gained popularity in many countries, such as India, Korea and many western countries. During the 12th century, many people in Japan adopted the art of planting bonsai trees.
Elm bonsai can be practiced both indoors and outdoors. The best season to prune a bonsai tree is during winter, and it should be fertilized and watered every two weeks beginning in late spring all through late summer. Early spring or winter are not ideal seasons to fertilize bonsai trees. Though they adapt easily to various weather conditions, they cannot tolerate extremely cold or extremely hot environments.
Despite their simple maintenance characteristics, elm bonsai trees can be manipulated to take mysterious or animal-shaped appearances, such as dragons and serpents. These trees can be used to add excitement to a garden. Growing and caring for different types of bonsai trees is a fascinating art, especially for people who are creative and have both patience and interest in gardening.