The hobby of growing bonsai trees.

Bonsai are trees grown in pots or trays and pruned and shaped using special methods. They are a type of plant that combines the characteristics of an ancient tree with artistic flair, a harmonious blend of art and gardening.

Mr. Tran Van Nguyet, from Group 3, Quyet Tam Ward, City, takes care of bonsai trees.

The hobby of growing bonsai trees in Son La has existed for many years, attracting a large number of bonsai enthusiasts in the area. These beautifully shaped, vibrant, and harmonious bonsai trees are considered "spiritual children" from nature, combined with the skillful hands of the creator, bringing many emotions to those who admire them.

Currently, the province has 34 ornamental plant associations with 528 members who cultivate bonsai trees; the strongest development is in Moc Chau, Song Ma, Mai Son districts and Son La city. There are 7 provincial-level artisans, 5 outstanding ornamental plant nurseries at the central level, and 46 nurseries that have achieved the title of outstanding nursery at the provincial level, with thousands of trees of various types, and a total value of ornamental plants in the nurseries exceeding 40 billion VND.

According to seasoned bonsai artists, the beauty of a bonsai tree lies in the harmony of its trunk, branches, canopy, and pot. The branches and leaves are miniaturized by the bonsai artist; the smaller the better, while the flowers are merely a secondary element. A beautiful bonsai tree must possess the qualities of "ancient, unique, and beautiful." "Ancient" refers to the tree's age; "unique" refers to its unusual or rare characteristics; and "beautiful" refers to its overall appearance and perfection.

Bonsai trees have four basic styles: upright, horizontal, slanted, and drooping. Today, there are many types of bonsai trees, such as pine, cypress, bougainvillea, guava, fig, banyan, and other species. Any woody plant, under the skillful hands of the bonsai enthusiast, will acquire a new appearance and value. Therefore, to create bonsai trees that are truly artistic, the creator must dedicate their heart, effort, passion, and possess a keen artistic eye and a rich imagination to incorporate into their work.

This bougainvillea bonsai artwork is from the Huyền Anh garden, Group 2, Chiềng An Ward, City.

Song Ma District has 7 ornamental plant associations, with 96 members, mainly aged 50-80; some members have products from their gardens worth 500-700 million VND; many members earn over 100 million VND/year from bonsai trees.

As one of the long-time bonsai enthusiasts, Mr. Vu Xuan Tung's family garden in Group 2, Song Ma town, Song Ma district, boasts over 100 valuable artistic bonsai trees and plants; each with a unique shape and style, offering different artistic experiences to those who admire them.

Mr. Tung shared: Many of the bonsai trees are several decades old, ranging from over 100 years, such as the "Five Dragons" fig tree; the "Group of Trees" banyan tree; the "Pillar" pine tree... These bonsai trees have been selected to participate in exhibitions and horticultural competitions inside and outside the province for many years, winning several gold, silver, and bronze medals and certificates for promising bonsai trees.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Toan, from Group 7, Chieng Le Ward, City, shared his experience in caring for and creating bonsai trees.

Bonsai trees are shaped using techniques of care, pruning, and shaping into appropriate forms and styles with a balanced number of branches and foliage. Therefore, cultivating bonsai is quite elaborate, requiring patience, meticulousness, a wealth of life experience, a love for nature, the country, and its people, a keen aesthetic sense, and a rich imagination… to create unique works of art that express profound philosophical and ethical values, advising descendants to respect what is right and just in life, such as "Three Obediences and Four Virtues," "Motherly Love," or "Five Blessings and Prosperity."

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, from Group 2, Chieng An Ward, City, shared: "My family's ornamental garden mainly consists of medium and mini bonsai trees. I focus on easy-to-care-for varieties such as bougainvillea, Japanese pine, cypress, and juniper... Playing with ornamental plants has helped me develop patience and reduce my temper. I find that being close to nature makes my soul feel more peaceful."

Visitors come to view bonsai trees at Huyen Anh garden, Chieng An ward, City.

Bonsai trees bring people a richer, healthier spiritual life and inspire them to strive for truth, goodness, and beauty. Above all, bonsai enthusiasts satisfy their passion for creating artistic masterpieces that are loved by many.

Text and photos: Truong Son

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