Everything Bonsai

Basic Styles - part 3

The cascade style of bonsai is among the more beautiful and desired, but also more difficult to achieve.

The trunk grows down below the level of the container, often twisting as it does so.

In nature, a tree growing near a cliff subject to heavy snows, avalanches and wind may assume this inverted position.

Those forces are not generally available to the bonsai artist to imitate, however.

Nevertheless, with wiring and patience it can be accomplished.

To remove obstacles from growth in this direction, it's important that the tree and pot be placed near the edge of a table or bench so the trunk can hang below the horizontal.

Also, since the trunk will be on the side and below, it's important to use a heavy pot for stability.

As the trunk is encouraged to grow in the downward U-shape, branches should be trained to sprout horizontally to give the tree a full appearance. Planting directly in the center, not near the edge of the pot, is standard practice.

Often the tree will be trained to grow up and over, rather than simply over the edge.

This gives a flow to the look and is accompanied by a tip that resides directly above the center.

Branches should be trimmed to create a 'stair-step' pattern to complement the cascade and give it a 'meandering river' look.

Since the trunk and several branches will reside below the pot, extra care is required to ensure that all receive adequate water and nutrients.

Foliar feeding (applying fertilizer solution by spraying leaves or needles, which is then absorbed by the foliage) is recommended.

Another style, han-kengai (semi-cascade) is often categorized separately.

In this case, the cascade projects over the horizontal plane at the base of the pot.

However, neither the trunk nor branches grow below that level.

In the semi-cascade style, the tip remains above the level of the "ground".

However, this category is not sharply defined, since some han-kengai will have portions that are below 'ground level', while others will project out horizontally.

In either case they retain the curving trunk style common to both the kengai and han-kengai styles.

As with any style, using the proper species for your envisioned design is imperative. Fortunately, in the case of the kengai and han-kengai, many differant species do serve well.

Junipers are a popular choice, but flowering cherry trees are also commonly used.

Even cedars are used, where the flexible wood makes them an accommodating partner in the project.

Some flowering species, such as chrysanthemums, or 'Weeping' species are also good choices, such as willows.

As with the kengai, it's important to ensure that the slow-moving nutrients make it to the tips.

Foliar feeding is easily accomplished but needs to be done regularly as part of the watering and feeding practice.

Good Luck and Happy Gardening!