The Six Styles of Bonsai Trees
Bonsai Trees are truly an art form. Bonsai trees are plants that are grown in trays or containers and developed that they remain small. Using techniques such as cutting, pruning, and pinching, the plants are manipulated to grow in pre-set patterns and the result is a magnificent tree that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
The Formal Upright style is the basic form of Bonsai and the most recommended for people beginning Bonsai tree care. The Formal Upright will result in a successful Bonsai tree in little time. This style is rounded in nature and produces a tree that has nice balance. The lower two branches extend further creating a nice horizontal base for the tree. The remaining branches descend from the top to the bottom extending a little further with each row.
The Informal Upright style is very similar to the Formal Upright with the exception that the top branch doesn’t extend vertically, as with the Formal Upright, but instead it bends a little bit to the front. The slant gives the tree a look as if it is in motion.
In the Slant style, the tree slants in one direction while the lowest branch reaches out in the opposite direction.
The Cascade style of tree creates a sloping effect. The trunk of the tree is trained to grow vertically, and then turn, allowing the branches to extend below the surface of the pot in a cascading effect. It is a good idea to select a species of plant or tree that typically grows close to the ground. This provides better results then trying to force a tree from growing in its vertical form to a cascade.
The Semi Cascade Style, like the Cascade, extends over the edge of the pot, but the trunk of the plant extends vertically then slopes gradually.
The Windswept Bonsai style has a look that appears as if the tree has been blown by the wind.
Basically there are 6 different patterns or styles of bonsai
The beginning novice as well as the experienced Bonsai hobbyist will find that growing Bonsai trees requires time and patience, but the rewards are great.