Did you know that Bonsai literally translates to "tray planting"?

Bonsai are trees and plants grown in containers in such a way so that they look their most beautiful, even prettier than those growing in the wild. Cultivating bonsai is an artistic hobby, as well as a traditional Japanese art.

Bonsai trees are associated with harmony, inner peace, balance and positivity. In Buddhism bonsai trees are believed to be an object of meditation and focus, which is why they are commonly found in the centre of Zen gardens.

In essence, any plant that can be grown in a small container can be cultivated as a bonsai. The trees can grow as tall as one meter (3.3 feet), or be small enough to be fit in one's palm.

There are several basic styles of bonsai:

Chokkan style bonsai trees have a trunk that grows straight upward and branches that extend left, right, forward and behind in a well-balanced manner;

Shakan style trees have a slanted trunk that leans to one side;

Moyogi style trees have a curved S-shaped trunk;

Fukinagashi style describes a tree that is shaped by strong winds, with bent trunks and branches growing in one direction;

Kengai style describes a tree that curves downward, which can be found in areas with steep slopes such as cliffs.

Master the art of Bonsai