Methods for Dwarfing Trees for Miniature Gardens
When dwarfing trees, nature is a great teacher, helping us to create masterpieces as well. Huge trees are grown from tiny seeds, with the size of the tree being determined by the soil nutrients and the place where it grows. If the tree is confined to a small space, it will be stunted. If the shoots have no space to spread to, the plant will be retarded. Finally if the plant is not getting proper nutrients it will be impeded or tardy. The Japanese have used the guidelines for centuries to create various types of dwarf trees and shrubs. The Japanese miniature garden connoisseurs follow these techniques to create stunning masterpieces for miniature gardens!
The Japanese Methodology
To dwarf a tree artificially is a process that follows the laws of nature. The Japanese, with their extensive history of gardening, have been skilled in this art. Stunting the growth of trees is an important part of their specialization. The simple act of creating a small replica of a large tree was not enough, and instead wanted to excel in this art, striving to attain perfection. The dwarf trees are a result of years of dedication and hard work through many generations of experience. The art of creating dwarf trees requires patience, concentration and expert skill. The value of a dwarfed tree grows over time. If you want to create a dwarfed tree you can use a simplified version of the authentic methods.
The Simple version
You can raise any tree as a miniature. To stunt a tree, a little more time and effort is involved then planting a normal tree. Seedlings are potted and constantly being pruned and shaped, to get the desired proportion and shape. This process will take at least two years before the tree is ready to be transplanted into a Japanese garden, then another 3-5 years before it reaches maturity.
The most favored versions of dwarf trees include conifers, maples, oaks, beeches, sycamores, birches, and some varieties of wisteria and prunus. Hardy trees like apple, orange, elm, chestnut and certain shrubs can also be used. The results of the tree depend on the quality of the seedling, as well as the amount of time and effort you devote to tending the plant. This process can only begin once the seeds have germinated.
