Cannabis Bonsai: How To Grown Your Own
Bonsai is an art form at the intersections of gardening, spirituality, and art.Â
It is thought to open the door to spiritual enlightenment.
Bonsai practice is also Wabi-sabi, an artistic expression celebrating impermanence and accepting growth, decay, and death in the natural world.
Because bonsai exhibits Zen principles, it’s not surprising that cannabis and bonsai make a great combination.Â
Many cannabis enthusiasts will confirm the plant’s ability to provide glimpses into a more peaceful and enlightened state of mind.Â
Creating a canna-bonsai fosters a sense of connection and understanding between the plant and its users on an esoteric level.
However, there are many other reasons why cannabis bonsai trees have risen in popularity recently.
Also known as a canna-bonsai, budsai, or cannabis bonsai, these artistic expressions allow for the cultivation of cannabis virtually anywhere.
Even those who live in cramped studios in New York City can grow miniature cannabis plants and reap the benefits.
Cannabis Bonsai: What is Bonsai?
Bonsai refers to the art of growing ornamental, dwarfed, and tree-like plants in containers. Bonsai plants as we know them today may have their origins in Japan. However, the practice originally has roots in China, where it is a popular art form and horticultural technique.
Pen-jing was a Chinese practice that created miniature landscapes more than 2000 years ago. Tiny replicas of landscapes were thought to have magical properties that wouldn transfer to students who focused on them.
The Japanese incorporated many cultural traditions from China during the Kamakura period in Japanese history, 1192-1333.Â
Eventually, the art of bonsai began to diverge from Chinese Pen jing. Japanese bonsai focuses more on cultivating individual trees with short statures than on creating tiny landscapes.Â
On the other hand, Canna-bonsai focuses more on growing individual cannabis plants.
Founder and CEO of cannabis cultivation magazine Grow Reporter, Harry Williams said, “The word ‘bonsai’ is a Japanese term that means ‘planted in a container.”Â
He continues, “This type of plant is prevented from growing into its normal size through several different techniques. Today, bonsai is widely popular across Asia and in several parts of the world.”
Bonsai cultivation follows certain aesthetic principles. Bonsai practitioners use slow and careful pruning to make bonsai plants look older and more mature. Planting trees in small containers or pots can limit their ability to absorb nutrients and create extensive root systems. This will stunt their growth and create a bonsai effect.
Cannabis Bonsai: Cultural Traditions
Hua Niao Feng Yue 花鳥風月, or kachu fugetsu in Japanese, is a traditional phrase that means “flower, bird, wind, and moon.”Â
This simple phrase conveys a more profound meaning- experiencing the beauties and intricacies of nature can teach us about ourselves.
Furthermore, Bonsai became popular in Japan because of the belief that the art of planting miniature trees is a peaceful, contemplative, and harmonious form of art that increases one’s connection with nature.
It’s not surprising that bonsai interweaves with Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism emerged in the Kamakura era of Japanese history simultaneously as bonsai.Â
Zen is an integral part of Buddhism’s religious practice. However, many people also embrace Zen concepts and do not follow the religion.Â
Additionally, historians claim that Buddhist monks taught bonsai in Japan for many decades.
To be successful in bonsai gardening, you need to incorporate several Zen virtues. The first is that bonsai horticulture should be done by human hands. However, human manipulation should not be apparent.Â
The bonsai should have a significant influence on the artist’s mind. You should not plant your Bonsai too close to the center of the container. According to Buddhists, that is the location where the heavens and the earth meet.
Every day care should be a time for reflection and meditation.
An ancient scroll from the Kamakura Period reveals the intent behind bonsai cultivation: To find love in deformity and appreciate curiously potted trees.
Cannabis Bonsai: When Did Canna-Bonsai’s Become a Trend?
In the beginning, the main uses of cannabis bonsai trees were to produce clones to save space. The popularity of cannabis bonsai has grown significantly as many growers continuously discover other uses for it.
Williams continues, “Compared with other bonsai-suitable plant varieties, growing a cannabis bonsai tree is easier.”
He adds, “Canna-bonsai has become a trend because the marijuana market is increasing as it becomes more legal across many parts of the US and Canada. It requires less space for growers. Any interested gardener can plant regular cannabis seeds and cultivate them into a bonsai.”
Tips: Growing Your Own Canna-Bonsai
It is important to note that there is still much debate about whether cannabis is bonsai-suitable. Bonsai trees are typically long-growing and have short, woody trunks.Â
Cannabis, on the other hand, is much quicker-growing and has a flexible stalk.
Bonsai’s distinctive characteristic is that plants are not grown for purposes other than to offer a place of contemplation or connection to nature.Â
Furthermore, Bonsai plants don’t typically produce medicine or fruit, but more so for spiritual and aesthetic purposes.
People are often able to harvest small amounts of flower from their canna-bonsais.Â
According to purists, this is not a real bonsai.Â
If you are curious about making your own canna-bonsai, Williams offers some expert tips for growing cannabis plants into classic bonsai shapes.
Choosing The Right Pot
It is essential to choose a container that will limit growth.Â
Williams mentions that Bonsai are best grown in smaller containers. He also recommends drilling small holes for twine or strings to control your bonsai and train in the desired direction.
Planting Your Cutting
Genetics are important, just like regular cannabis plant cultivation. Williams advises picking a strong, healthy mother plant to produce quality buds.
Furthermore, a clone or seeds from a healthy specimen will give you better chances of growing a solid cannabis plant. Because vertical growth is restricted and controlled in canna-bonsai, more vigorous plants from reliable genetic lines will do better.Â
Additionally, many people train their marijuana bonsai plants to wrap around a small wooden stake as they grow. This gives them a more exotic appearance.
Training Your Bonsai Branches
Growing cannabis bonsai trees can be a challenging exercise in aesthetics. Williams explained that bonsai also has an artistic aspect.Â
Furthermore, as the grower, you can decide how your plant should look. If you want a more horizontal look, tie the branches down with more force.Â
On the other hand, if you want a more vertical look, tie them down loosely.Â
In addition, make sure you leave some space for other branches to grow in between the ones you tie down.
Pruning is a Must!
Pruning is an essential part of bonsai. Cutting main branches can cause damage to your plant. Williams advises that you only prune the offshoot branches.Â
It is vital to trim the plants regularly, sometimes daily, so that they can take on the design or shape the cultivator envisions. Pruning is essential because cannabis plants need optimal airflow to prevent mold from developing on their leaves and buds.
Ultimately, the practice of creating a bonsai comes down to nurturing a relationship with a cannabis plant. This gives the grower the unique opportunity to pay special attention to the cultivation and watch the plant respond to this deep level of connection and care.
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