Welcome to the A to Z of Bonsai.
We are compiling a worldwide A to Z of Bonsai database. The A to Z is written collaboratively by the people who use it and we would like to encourage anyone reading this page to contribute to what has become the worlds greatest encyclopedia of bonsai terms. Entries when they are made will be added to an editable list which will be checked prior to publication. Photos and images of the bonsai term can be added and links made to relevant web pages.
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- 48 entries |
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![Update this bonsai term Ma-Ke Bonsai Dealer](images/challenge.gif) |
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>MA-KE BONSAI - On-line bonsai store which also offers bonsai classes. Fairly limited offering on site but states that 150 SPECIES are stocked.
Contact : Ma-Ke Bonsai 66 Harvey Road, Whitton, TW4 5LU
Tel: 0792 805 2986
Email: sales@makebonsai.com
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![Update this bonsai term Macroelements Fertiliser](images/challenge.gif) |
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MacroeleMEnts - Generic term used to describe the 3 key fertilizer components : Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), POTASSIUM (Ka).
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EDA>EDA>MAE EDA - Japanese term for the front branch of a tree which is always positioned on the bottom half of the BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI.
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![Update this bonsai term Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo Biloba) Tree Type (Outdoors)](images/challenge.gif) |
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MAIDENHAIR TREE (GINKGO BILOBA) - The oldest of all SPECIES. it is is primitive type of CONIFER closely related to ferns. Tall and COLUMNAR in style developing a gnarled trunk with age but no fine BRANCH STRUCTURE. They have distinctively SHAPEd, bright green LEAVES which change to pale yellow in autumn.
STYLE : Formal upright and CLUMP.
WARNING : Avoid : crushing fleshy ROOTS when REPOTTING, WIRING as BARK marks easily and large cuts as they will not grow over.
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Thanks to - Dan Barton for use of the image |
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MALATHION - Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide effective on a broad VARIETY of insect pests.
Malathion can turn young LEAVES black. INSECTICIDEs containing BIFENTHRIN are suggested by expert BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI artists Peter Chan because they are kinder than malathion to younger leaves.
A light spray during winter will kill any eggs. Advice is not to use Malathion on Ficus, Crassu- la, Podocarpus or buttonwood.
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MaME - This is a sub CLASSIFICATION in the "miniature" BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI range and is one of the smallest of the size categories for bonsai.
Pronounced "ma-mey" these trees can vary in size from a few up to 15-20 cms (approximately 6-7 inches) from rim of the pot to top of the tree.
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Thanks to - From eBay for use of the image |
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![Update this bonsai term Maple - Field (Acer Campestre) Tree Type (Outdoors)](images/challenge.gif) |
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MAPLE - FIELD (ACER CAMPESTRE) - Small, native European Maple, with coarse twigs and typical maple foliage which turns buttercup yellow in autumn.
STYLE : Upright tree suitable for most styles except literati.
WARNING : Prefers dappled shade. Needs protection from scorching by exposure to the hottest sumMEr sun. Susceptible to APHIDS and SCALE INSECT.
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![Update this bonsai term Maple - Japanese (Acer Palmatum) Tree Type (Outdoors)](images/challenge.gif) |
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MAPLE - JAPANESE (ACER PALMATUM) - This category covers a wide rang of CULTIVAR>CULTIVARs including : Deshojo, Chisio, Ukon, Dissectum Atropurpurium and many others. originating from Japan they exhibit a wide range of leaf and BARK colourings.
STYLE : Upright tree suitable for most styles except literati.
WARNING : Prefers dappled shade. Needs protection from scorching by exposure to the hottest sumMEr sun. Susceptible to APHIDS and SCALE INSECT.
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Thanks to - Taken by Jeff Banning, Ayr at Rob Atkinson's for use of the image |
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![Update this bonsai term Maple - Norway (Acer Platanoides) Tree Type (Outdoors)](images/challenge.gif) |
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MAPLE - NORWAY (ACER PLATANOIDES) - Norway Maple
A common tree throughout much of Europe from Norway down to the MEditerranean and to Western Asia. It is an important forestry wood in Europe with its Hard Light coloured wood finding use in furniture to musical instruments. As BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI it make an attractive Medium to Large Bonsai, despite it's larger leaf size.
Styles : Formal upright, Informal Upright, Slanting, Broom, Twin trunk.
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MAPLE - TRIDENT (ACER BUERGERIANUM/ACER TRFIDUM) - DECIDUOUS, upright tree with pale grey BARK and fresh green, three lobed LEAVES in spring changing to rich orange/red in autumn.
STYLE : Upright tree suitable for most styles but particularly good for root-over-rock.
WARNING : ROOTS have high moisture content and so can easily suffer frost damage. Prevent freezing of roots by over-wintering in sheltered area.
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAITOOLS>MASAKUNI BONSAI TOOLS - The Bonsai tool originator MASAKUNI Co., Ltd. is the only full-scale maker in Japan and has over three-quarters century of experience in producing Bonsai training tools.
Tools can be supplied via selected UK bonsai stockists
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MATSU - Japanese for pine.
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ME - Japanese term for BUD>BUD.
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MEDULLARYRAY>MEDULLARY RAY - A channel radiating out from the HEARTWOOD aCROSS and perpendicular to the growth rings and allow the radila transmission of sap, used for storage of sugars while the plant is DORMANT.
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MEIBOKU>MEI BOKU - Japanese term for a very old and elegant BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI.
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MENDIPBONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAIST>BONSAISTUDIO>MENDIP BONSAI STUDIO - Provider of specialist bonsai workshops The Mendip Bonsai Nursery is not open to the general public. Personal callers are welcome, but you must phone ahead for an appointment.
Contact - John Trott Mendip Bonsai Studio, Byways, Backlane, Downside, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. BA4 4JR
Tel: 01749 344274
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METASEQUOIAGLYPTOSTROBOIDES(DAWNREDWOOD)>METASEQUOIA GLYPTOSTROBOIDES (DAWN REDWOOD) - See DAWN REDWOOD (METASEQUOIA GLYPTOSTROBOIDES)
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![Update this bonsai term Metsumi Procedure](images/challenge.gif) |
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METSUMI>METSUMI - The process of PINCHING OUT terminal BUD>BUDs.
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![Update this bonsai term Micro-climate Other](images/challenge.gif) |
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MICRO-CLIMATE - The atmospheric conditions imMEdiately surrounding a plant. This =can be influenced by many factors even the moisture evaporating from a pot. Simple ways of inducing desirable micro-climates include wind-BREAKs, rain shelters, shaderies and water trays.
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MENTS>MICROELEMENTS - Also termed "trace elements" because they constitute only small requirements for tree health. These include : Magnesium (Mg), Boron (B), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co) and Molybdenum (Mo).
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>MID HERTFORDSHIRE BONSAI - The aim of the club is to promote the ART OF BONSAI by providing local facilities where people can MEet and share expertise. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Mid Herts Bonsai Club was founded in 1984 and has around 45 members including 7 commitee members. The club meets up on the third Wednesday of every month (except December) from 7.30pm to 10.00pm The meetings are generally based around a workshop, talk or demonstration from club members or guest speakers. The annual programme includes workshops, speakers (club members and visitors) and social evenings.
Mid Herts Bonsai Club Backhouse Room, Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6SZ
Contact: Geoff Conybeare Tel: 0752 8614826
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>MIDLANDS BONSAI - Call or text anytiME for a fast reply if you don't get an answer send a text with your inquires
Location: Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire
Email: midlandsbonsai@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 0787 6805019
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Thanks to - Image from web page for use of the image |
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>MIDLANDS BONSAI - Dealer with limited offerings on a very slim site. Does include soME video links
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MIDRIB - The large central vein of a leaf.
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MIKI - Japanese term for the TRUNK OF THE TREE
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>MIKO BONSAI - MiKo Bonsai is advertised as Leicester's only dedicated Bonsai retailer, stocking trees for all experience levels from starter trees for the absolute beginner to speciMEn trees for the seasoned Bonsai enthusiast.
They also stock a range of raw and pre trained starter material, pots, tools and everything else needed to keep bonsai in top condition.
Products and trees are available by Mail Order through their ebay shop.
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Thanks to - Miko Bonsai web page for use of the image |
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![Update this bonsai term Mildew Pests and Diseases](images/challenge.gif) |
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MILDEW - See entry for : "POWDERY MILDEW".
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Mimono
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- (Tree Type (Outdoors))
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MIMONO - Japanese term for FRUITing BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI e.g. crab apple
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Minomo
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- (Tree Type (Outdoors))
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MINOMO - Japanese term for FRUIT bearing trees such as cotoneaster, crab apple etc.
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![Update this bonsai term Misho Other](images/challenge.gif) |
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MISHO>MISHO - Japanese term for BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI grown from seed.
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MISHO>MISHO - Misho the process of growing a BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI from seed.
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MISHO>MISHOBONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>MISHO BONSAI - This seed company specializes in tree seeds of SPECIES suitable for bonsai plants, called bonsai seeds.
Browse through Mishobonsai extensive seed catalog of all kinds of DECIDUOUS, EVERGREEN and TROPICAL tree seeds. They also have a mix package section where you can find seeds of various species in package by theME or species and a seed GERMINATION>GERMINATION supplies section.
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MISTER - Used for MISTING both indoor and outdoor BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI, applying foliar fertiliser and spraying INSECTICIDEs.
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MISTING - Describes the technique of spraying a fine mist of water onto plants in order to increase humid atmosphere around indoor plants and also to reduce the rate of moisture loss from LEAVES on recently collected outdoor plants. There are several other techniques of improving levels of HUMIDITY.
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MIYAMA KIRISHIMA - Japanese term : BUD>BUDACHI>KABUDACHI. Also known as "sprout style". This style can often be seen in nature where an old tree stump or log will re-sprout new branches. It is also referred to as CLUMP style. The attached weblink provides a full listing of styles
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Thanks to - Peter Thorne for use of the image |
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MIZUGOE - Japanese term for water soluble fertilizer.
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MIZUSUI - Living pr=ortion of a trunk - terMEd "live vein" in the west.
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![Update this bonsai term Mochikomi Other](images/challenge.gif) |
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MOCHIKOMI - An important Japanese concept in BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI. A tree or companion must look like it’s been there naturally for a while, and that is the age and unity of mochikomi between pot, bonsai and accessory planting. SoMEtimes the term just means how old the tree is.
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Thanks to - Dan Barton for use of the image |
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MOUNTAIN ASH - See "ROWAN (SORBUS AUCUPARIA OR CASHMIRIANA)"
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Thanks to - John Goldsmith, Ayr for use of the image |
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MOYOGI - The INFORMAL UPRIGHT STYLE of BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI. The traditional moyogi has a trunk which gently bends first one way and then another in ever -diminishing curves.
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MEN>MUD MEN - These are small glazed pottery figurines produced in China and used for incorporation into BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI presentations.
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Thanks to - Bonsai Outlet USA for use of the image |
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![Update this bonsai term Mulberry (Morus Alba) Tree Type (Outdoors)](images/challenge.gif) |
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BERRY(MORUSALBA)>MULBERRY (MORUS ALBA) - A long living (500 years) tree famous for harbouring silk worms. The SHAPE varies depending on VARIETY. LEAVES are alternate with deeply indented edges (often lobed) and are light green with shiny surface and polished underneath turning to golden yellow in autumn. Bears pinkish white, round, edible berries in autumn.
STYLE : Suitable for most styles with exception of formal upright and broom. Looks good grown over rock.
WARNING : Liquid fertilizer is best during flowering.
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Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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MYCELIAL CORDS - A branching type of FUNGUS which can appear similar to plant ROOTS (soMEtimes referred to as rhizomorphs).
They transport nutrients from one (root) food source to another and generally are beneficial to trees with which they have a symbiotic relationship. This can also allow them to spread infection from a diseased source to an uninfected plant.
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Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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MYCELIUM - The vegetative part of a FUNGUS consisting of a mass of branching, threadlike filaMEnts called hyphae.
Mycelium is vital in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems for their role in the decomposition of plant material.
The mycelium of mycorrhiZAl fungi increases the efficiency of water and nutrient absorption of most plants
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Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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MycorrhiZA - A FUNGUS that lives in a symbiotic relationship with the tree, whereby the tree supplies sugars to the fungus and the fungus gathers water and minerals for the tree. Can be seen as white "tracery" among the tree ROOTS. Common in pines. Retention of soME mycorhizza containing soil when REPOTTING is beneficial.
Mycorhizza additives can be purchased from a number of outlets. The additives contain a selection of common mycorhizza spores which tend to be selective with which trees they will develop a symbiotic relationship.
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MycorrhiZAl fungi - MYCORRHIZALFUNGI>MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI are a group of organisms that have been benefiting plants for at least 500 million years. At the dawn of tiME when plants were just beginning to colonise our planet mycorrhizal fungi were there living in a symbiotic relationship with plants enabling them to extract nutrients and hold onto water in very difficult soil conditions.
In effect, the FUNGUS provides a secondary root system, a system that is considerably more efficient and extensive than the plants own root system.
Mycorhizza additives can be purchased from a number of outlets. The additives contain a selection of common mycorhizza spores which tend to be selective with which trees they will develop a symbiotic relationship.
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MYRTLE - COMMON (MYRTUS COMMUNIS/APPICULATA) - Tender, EVERGREEN shrub with glossy, mid to dark green LEAVES. Bears small white, fragrant, sumMEr blossoms. The "communis" bears black FRUITs. The "appiculata" is distinguished by peeling, cinnamon-coloured BARK showing cream beneath and may also bear red fruits as well as black.
STYLE : suited to informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, twin-trunk, CLUMP and multiple-trunk styles.
WARNING : Use ericaceous soild and fertlizer together with "soft" (lime-free) water.
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MYRTLE- CRAPE (LAGERSTROEMIA INDICA) - Noted for its decorative BARK the outer grey layer of which peels away to reveal RUSTy brown to pink patches. The tree also displays showy FLOWERS which range from deep lilac, through pink, to white. LEAVES are mid-green, oval with a pointed tip.
STYLE : Suited to informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade and root-over-rock styles.
WARNING : Crape Myrtles MUST have a sufficient DORMANTPERIOD>DORMANT PERIOD. Maintain winter temperatures between 7-10 degrees centigrade and allow light levels to fall when bare of leaves.
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