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Ask Gwen

August 2007

Bonsai

Memorial Garden

Question: Bonsai

I was given a bonsai plant for valentine's day. Do you have any tips of the best way to care for these? How often should I water it and should it be in sun, indirect lighting or what. The info slip said to pass over it with water 3 times per day - once for the pot, once for the plant, and once for good fortune... I think I’m drowning it!!! Help.

Answer:
Thank you for contacting me. In relation to your question about care of your Bonsai plant, Bonsai is the art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers. A bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant. It is any tree or shrub species actively growing but kept small through a combination of pot confinement, and crown and root pruning. Any tree or shrub with the right training and care could become a Bonsai with time, but some plants are more sought-after for use as bonsai material because they have several characteristics that make them appropriate for the smaller design arrangements of bonsai.

The care of the plant and water requirements depends on what plant has been used. If the instructions suggest passing it over with water three times a day, I am wondering if this means misting; otherwise I would be concerned that the plant would be overwatered and the roots would rot.

The Gardening for The Soil Articles in this issue of the newsletter include Bonsai Plant Care: What You Need to Know with more detailed information about general care of bonsai plants.

Question: Memorial Garden

I have been working on a "sanctuary" outside of our church. Being a novice gardener, I just offered to help with the design and maintaining of a memorial garden for unborn babies (abortion or mis-carriages, etc). I want calming plants and herbs. Plus any that will draw butterflies.

Answer:

Thank you for your question. What a great idea to create a memorial garden for unborn babies. In terms of calming plants and herbs, there are many that would meet your requirements. As you live in California, you will be able to grow just about anything.

There are many considerations, such as how much space you have; how much sun or shade the plants will receive; water requirements of the plants (will there be people available to water on a regular basis); annuals, perennials, shrubs, or trees; colour (calming colours are blue, green, lavender, purple, and white); what butterflies are found in your area (as that determines what plants they like); height and width of plants at maturity; and type of soil.

I would recommend that you go to a garden center, talk to the staff (as they will be knowledgeable about what plants will grow in these conditions), and choose what you like. Any plant can be considered a memorial plant if it has meaning for viewers. In memorial gardens planted in memory of a loved one, plants are chosen based on what plant/plants had meaning for the person. For example, sunflowers might be chosen if the garden is in memory of a child who liked their sunny faces. There are no hard and fast rules, so what has meaning for peoples' hearts is what gives these gardens their significance.

The following links from my web site all have material that you might find useful.
http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Gardening_For_The_Soil_Articles.htm

http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Herbs_Uses_Kitchen_Garden_Recipes.htm

http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Plants_Food_Colours_Recipes.htm

My book, The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace has extensive material about creating gardens and sacred space as well as healing our selves at an inner level. The link to purchase the book is: http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Books.htm

You might also be interested in the following link if you wish to garden organically:

Environmentally_Friendly_Gardening_Products.htm

Good luck with your project.

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