this Bonsai style most resembles a
naturally growing. This Bonsai
technique is erect and partially
symmetrical. Imagine a typical
classic Christmas-tree shapedspecimen and you're almost
there. This type of Bonsai
style can sometimes have a
rounded crown. The branches are
approximately horizontal and the
lowest pair are commonly trained to
grow in the direction of the viewer,
with a third branch pointing away in
the general direction between the
two branches in front.
Though the Bonsai Chokkan technique
is more common than other styles, it
doesn't have to be planted directly
in the middle of the Bonsai pot.
To make the Chokkan style a little
different and to add a more visual
effect, planting the Bonsai tree
about one third from the side of the
pot can give a dramatic effect.
When adopting the Chokkan style
smaller branches towards the foot of
the trunk should be snipped off,
whilst other branches should be
balanced around the trunk area.
Again, and as a general rule the
first branch starts about one-third
up the total shaft of the Bonsai
trunk.
Remember, that to achieve the
desired results, you must have a
good understanding. This should
start by choosing the proper type of
Bonsai tree, already discussed.
A good pointer here is chose a tree
that when left unmodified would
naturally grow straight. These
types of trees are best suited to
the Chokkan style of Bonsai.
Due to its simplicity Chokkan is one
of the easiest Bonsai styles to
achieve. That said, no Bonsai
is easy to train - this style
nevertheless can exhibit significant
variations. Using different species,
such as Larch, Pine, or Spruce can
result in a very distinctive look.
Moyogi The Informal Upright
Bonsai Style
The Moyogi Bonsai style shares many
similarities with the Chokkan, but
the vertical and horizontal
appearance is significantly altered.
The Moyogi is less symmetrical in
appearance, but to any Bonsai
enthusiast no less stunning than its
more balanced brother.
The Branches under the Moyogi Bonsai
style are trained in the same way,
but the top of the Bonsai is adapted
to lean ever so slightly in the
direction of the viewer. The trunk
can also be angled, but should not
be curved.
The deliberate leaning of the Bonsai
when using the Moyogi technique can
be achieved by training, or by
selecting a type of Bonsai tree with
a natural tendency to veer off the
vertical. A tip here when
choosing a Bonsai with the Moyogi
style in mind is to look down at
specimen to easily detect if any
obvious deviations from the vertical
can be spotted.
So, to achieve the desired angle
that tilts away from the viewer,
plant or train the tree in a Bonsai
pot so that the roots and forced to
move forward in the direction of the
front of the Bonsai pot.
Although this may sound tricky it
can be further encouraged by Bonsai
wiring and selective watering that
favours the front of the Bonsai pot.
As the Bonsai trunk begins to slant
backward, the roots will point ahead
naturally as the Bonsai tree
attempts to gain a solid footing.
The Bonsai style Moyogi, like the
Chokkan Bonsai style, generally have
fuller crowns with branches that
start about one-third up the shaft
of the Bonsai trunk. Deciduous
species, such as the Japanese Maple
variety of Bonsai, or beeches, are
naturally well-suited to this type
of Bonsai style. Some fruit trees,
such as Pomegranate or Crab Apple,
may also achieve the desired effect.
However, all Bonsai trees,
regardless of style, require a great
deal of patience and care over many
years in order to maximise the
health and longevity of the
miniature tree. But these two styles
are the least difficult to attain
and may serve as a good starting
point for the Bonsai beginner.
