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The word bonsai means tree in a wide tray, and the art of growing them aims to achieve a harmonious reproduction of nature.

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There are two kinds of bonsai: indoor and outdoor. Indoor ones come from tropical climes, and with special care they can be adapted to grow inside homes. Outdoor bonsai should be kept in fresh air, except in cases of extremely low temperatures. In summer it is best to keep them in the shade.

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When choosing a bonsai make sure the roots of the tree are wrapped round the trunk and have not been strangled. Note the structure of the tree; it should have a natural, elegant stature. In general, plants with small leaves and flowers are the best for transforming into bonsai. Pruning reduces their height so they retain a certain proportion.

Indoor species should always be kept in the same spot, far from dry atmospheres and sources of heat. A bright spot without direct sunlight is best.

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Bonsai must be watered with rainwater, or, if you cannot obtain it, tap water that has been allowed to sit out for a day. The easiest way to water a bonsai is to submerge it in water until it is completely soaked then let the excess run off.

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In winter, provide a damp atmosphere for indoor bonsai by placing the tray in another, larger tray with gravel and water up the halfway point. In summer it is a good idea to spray them with water often.

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If you have chosen an outdoor species you should never bring it indoors, nor place it in a greenhouse. Changes in temperature will modify the bonsai's natural cycle.

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Fertilize the tree during its growth period at regular intervals with liquid fertilizer for indoor plants. Wait from four to six weeks to fertilize if the plant has been recently transplanted.

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Transplanting is done over a period ranging from two to five years, in early spring. Change part of the soil and cut the roots down by a third of their size. The older the tree is, the more the transplants should be spaced apart.

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To maintain the right shape, snip off the buds of branches with your fingers in spring and summer. If you must trim the branches to keep the right shape it is best to do so in winter when the tree is in its period of rest.

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Trees that can be grown as outdoor bonsai include conifers with small needles such as cedar, white fir and yew, all of them evergreens. Deciduous species include maple, azalea, cotoneaster and beech.

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