Bonsai Trees vs. Dwarfing/Dwarfism

Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing miniature trees by restricting the growth of the plant through various pruning and cultivating techniques.  As part of the growing technique (aka the training process), future Bonsai trees are grown in containers/trays to limit root growth and provide easy access for pruning or shaping the plant as desired.  The Bonsai method can take years before a final tree is completed and requires constant care for the tree to stay in the desire size and shape.  Bonsai trees are often confused with dwarfism or dwarfing of trees.  In actuality, the two processes are completely different in their approach to creating miniature trees. Click Here for more information on the pruning techniques involved in the Bonsai tree method.

During the dwarfing process, miniature trees are created through genetics and/or selective breeding.  Selective breeding is a method where specimens with the desired characteristics (in this case smaller than normal size) are breed together to promote or encourage the desire characteristic.  This process is continued, breeding smaller and smaller specimen, until the desired miniature tree size is reached.  The other method used to create miniature trees would be genetic engineering.  The genetic engineering method manipulates genes that control the growth process.  In the specific case of miniature trees, genes that inhibit growth or provide desired characteristics are added (or spliced) into the genome of specimen.  Sometimes the resulting specimen is considered to be a hybrid of the two parent specimens.  The two methods can be summed as such:  Genetic engineering changes genes on a microscopic level while selective breeding alters genes looking at the macroscopic effects.  The end result is a diminutive version of the desired plant with all the desired characteristics in place. To learn more about the genetic process visit our Website.

Depriving a plant of specific hormones during the growth process can also result in dwarfing of the specimen.  However, the lack of hormones can result in the dwarf specimen not displaying some of the desired aesthetics or size.  Practice or experience is the best the way to control the end result when using the hormone approach.  For the purposes of creating display miniatures trees, the hormone method is not normally used.

Both the Bonsai art form and dwarfing are ways of growing many different miniature species of plants and trees.  Whichever process is used, the end result is a miniature version of a larger tree or plant.  At this point, the dwarfed tree/plant has some significant advantages to a Bonsai tree.  Once the dwarfed tree is developed to the desired size, there is little maintenance (i.e. watering, removing dead branches, etc…) required to sustain the tree.  However, the Bonsai tree will require continuing pruning and cultivation to maintain the desired size and shape.  If not properly, this can result in the death or ruination of the Bonsai tree.  The Bonsai tree method is essentially a larger commitment of time and resources.

So, if the desired miniature tree is one the can be taken care of with watering and some general maintenance, a dwarf tree is the proper selection.  However, if you want a miniature tree that reflects your personality and want a hobby for life, the Bonsai tree is the proper selection.  In either case, miniature trees have been a source of beauty and awe in private gardens and public arboretums for decades and will add a definitive touch to any décor.

To get started growing your own Bonsai tree Click Here to visit our Website.

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