Art, Horticulture or Time. What is needed to be successful at Bonsai?

What is Art? It is easier to describe it as the way something is done -- "the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others" is a definition found in Britannica Online.

What does this mean for the creation of Bonsai? To create an aesthetically pleasing Bonsai it is necessary to use Horticultural skill (the Science part of Bonsai) and then apply the concepts of imagination and creation the Art part of Bonsai) to the living tree in front of you. Whether this is done through clipping, pruning and / or bending by making use of wire or clamps, do not matter as it all leads to an aesthetically pleasing object. It is therefore very easy to explain that Bonsai is an Art form. Why is it then that we always look for Bonsai in reference sources, online trading sites and newspaper classifieds under gardening and not art?

This leads to the huge component of Horticulture that forms the basis of Bonsai. Yes, it is an Art form, but if you cannot keep the tree alive, you have no Bonsai. The concept of Living Art is an interesting one, but not only applicable to Bonsai. The art of Topiary for instance is another example. Landscaping could fall into this category as well. Although all of these things are pleasing to look at, the underlying skill in Horticultural aspects sit at the foundation of these Art forms.

What is it that grabs the attention of prospective Bonsai enthusiasts when they look at Bonsai the first time? It clearly is the aesthetic nature of the tree. When asked, the answer always relates to some or other aspect of the arty nature of Bonsai. When confronted with the reality of keeping a Bonsai alive, the awe and wonderment usually increases exponentially, but the reality is also that this is a full-on “hobby”. It is not only the horticultural expertise that is needed, but vast amounts of time to do right to your trees over time. I am currently in the position where I have to ask myself how many trees are enough. I guess this will be determined by the amount of time I have available to spend with the trees. Is this maybe the third piece of the puzzle?

In today’s world where time is “consumed” by the ever increasing demands of work, family life, attending to community needs and looking after oneself, the question is where to find the time. Maybe we have to look at this from a different angle. We use our trees to help us cope with these increasing demands on time. Time spend with our trees allows us to be more productive when it comes to the other aspects of life. It helps us to focus and it helps us to organise our thoughts. It helps us to achieve an inner peace that you usually do not get from the other life aspects.

The circle is now approaching its starting point. When I do spend time with Bonsai, what is it that provides me with these positive outcomes? Is it the fact that I find comfort in the knowledge that I can apply my horticultural knowledge and be successful at it, or is it the fact that I have (sometimes) an aesthetically pleasing Bonsai as the final (until it grows out of shape again) product? Whatever it is, the interwoven connectedness of Horticultural expertise and Art creation, coupled with quality time spend with the trees, cannot be disengaged from one another. All three of these aspects are crucial to achieve success.

In summary it would then be correct to say that the art of Bonsai creation is dependent on horticultural knowledge and skill, the appreciation and knowledge of Bonsai as an Art form and lots and lots of time to apply these, to enable us to experience one of the most fulfilling “hobbies” that one can be exposed to.