Nagoya Castle Chrysanthemum Competition 2017 11

Chrysanthemum ''bonsai'' (, ) is a Japanese art form using cultivation techniques to produce, in containers, chrysanthemum flowers that mimic the shape and scale of full size trees, called ''

bonsai Bonsai (; , ) is the Japanese art of Horticulture, growing and shaping miniature trees in containers, with a long documented history of influences and native Japanese development over a thousand years, and with unique aesthetics, cultural hist ...

''.

Cultivation and care

Bonsai cultivation and care requires techniques and tools that are specialized to support the growth and maintenance of the flowers in small containers. There are several cultivated varieties of chrysanthemum that possess the ability to be trained into many of the traditional ''bonsai'' styles associated with woody trunked trees and shrubs. But since chrysanthemum rarely grow to be old enough to have wood, deadwood bonsai techniques may also be used. Chrysanthemums are

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

s, and while it is possible to keep a chrysanthemum ''bonsai'' alive for a number of years (old wood), it is more likely that the ''bonsai'' will be 'finished' after all the blooms have faded. The chrysanthemum ''bonsai'' artist must complete all design work in fewer than ten months. Most chrysanthemum ''bonsai'' artists in the northern latitudes of the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

start the training of their ''bonsai'' in April, and are finished by the middle of September. Traditionally in Japan the Chrysanthemum exhibitions showcase the different ''bonsai'' forms. This takes place in autumn around the months of October and November.

Styles

Various bonsai styles exist, such as the cascade style, the clinging to a rock style, and the forest style. File:Nagoya Castle Chrysanthemum Competition 2017 14.jpg, Cascade style File:Nagoya Castle Chrysanthemum Competition 2017 17.jpg, Clinging to a rock style File:71st Nagoya Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition 2018 05.jpg, Forest style File:71st Nagoya Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition 2018 03.jpg, Various other smaller pieces

References

Bibliography

* Tameji Nakajima, H. Carl Young. ''The art of the chrysanthemum: Japanese techniques for creating bonsai, cascades, giants and other potted styles.'' Harper & Row (1965)

External links

日本の伝統文化・菊の盆栽Traditional culture of Japan "bonsai of chrysanthemum"

Tiny Flowers, Big Hit: Chrysanthemum Bonsai , Longwood Gardens
Bonsai Chrysanthemum {{botany-stub

Cultivation and care

Styles

See also

References

Bibliography

External links