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Better than the Real Thing? Tips for Buying Artificial Bonsai
Let's face it. Not all of us have a green thumb and not everyone has the luxury of time either. Other than that, we're not all born with the patience of a saint or a bonsai grower either.
If you've always wanted to grow bonsai but haven't got one for one reason or another, you have a choice: buy an artificial bonsai. They don’t require any watering, pruning or pesticides and they will last as long as the real thing. Here are some tips on how to get ones that are as good, or even better:
Choose the style or species.
There are dozens of bonsai species to choose from, such as pine trees and flowering trees and all of them look decidedly real. They also come in different styles – single-trunk, double-trunk, cascade, rock – and you can choose one or two that will blend with your home's overall design scheme.
Good ones to try: artificial Japanese pine bonsai, Chinese elm, maple or juniper. For artificial flowering bonsai, get the crabapple, jasmine, camellia, flowering plum or gardenia bonsai.
Seeing is believing
If the artificial can fool your eyes, it can fool others' as well. Look at the artificial bonsai from afar and then up close. Look at the trunk, the branches, the leaves and the flowers. The trunk shouldn't look painted on and the branches should blend well with the main trunk.
There should be a continuing, seamless line from the base of the artificial bonsai to the tip of the branches. If you see the joints, you might want to move to the next one. If it still looks like the real thing from six inches away, then it's top quality artificial bonsai.
Touch to test
The true test of a good quality artificial bonsai is its touch. The trunk should feel rough like the bark of a real tree and shouldn't feel plastic to the touch – slippery and smooth. Another test for quality artificial bonsai is its leaves. The leaves shouldn't be too thin or too fabric-like and avoid ones that unravel when pulled. They should be smooth with a partial sheen to mimic real leaves.
Flex to form
Another thing to look for is flexibility. Although many artificial bonsai are shaped in various ways, there are some that let you manipulate their 'growth' by bending them anyway you like. If you're the kind who likes to work with your bonsai a little bit, pick ones that are made with flexible materials such as luna clay. These artificial bonsai let you bend and twist to create a plant that's all your own.
