Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Big Banyan a.k.a Big B



This tree happens to be one among my personal favourites. The thick trunck, the spreading branches and the graceful aging of the tree never fails to fascinate me. Watching it is absolute poetry. I often imagine I am a little person resting in the shade of this immense tree.

This tree has been grown in the Hokidachi style.

Aerial Prop roots

Notice the Aerial Prop roots that have climbed down to support this miniature tree. These aerial roots are the characteristic of older trees such as Banyan.
This tree exhibits a forest - like effect with it's heavy folliage and aerial roots.

The antique

This tree's trunck seems to emerge from within a spiraling root system. This tree never fails to light up conversations at parties, and is often the topic of conversation. It's barks exhibit weathering and age.

Shakan Bonsai


Slant-style, or Shakan, bonsai possess straight trunks like those of bonsai grown in the formal upright style. However, the slant style trunk emerges from the soil at an angle, and the apex of the bonsai will be located to the left or right of the root base.

The Nebari on a Formal Upright Ficus


Nebari is the visible spread of roots above the growing medium at the base of a bonsai. One can't fail to notice the imposing twists in the root system on it's base.

Slanted or Shakan style

Notice the thick fleshy branch of the Desert Rose / Mock Azalea and the well developed roots. The shrub has been grown in a slanted style. If one observes carefully, one can also see a miniature desert rose flower on one of it's branches on the left.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Branched Upright style


One has to notice the mossy base of the tree, that gives an impression of a tree growing in a tropical forest.