Bonsai Gardening Basic Styles - Kengai and Han-Kengai

Kengai (Cascade)
The Kengai style is one of the most beautiful and admired, but also one of the most difficult bonsai styles to achieve. You will notice that the tree trunk grows below the bottom level of the container and often twists in a lovely, unique style.

While in Nature, a tree that grows near a cliff will be subject to harsh weather and elements, including heavy snowstorms, avalanches and forceful winds. Through these influences, they will be inverted as they grow. The typical bonsai artists cannot simulate a snowstorm, but there are training techniques, such as wiring and plenty of patience from the artist that will accomplish the same look.

In order to remove any obstacles that will allow the tree to grow in the preferred style and direction, you will want to be sure that the tree and pot are near the edge of a table or bench so that the tree trunk can hang horizontally without problem. The trunk will be on its side and off-balance, so you will need to make sure that the pot is very heavy to compensate for the lack of stability.

The trunk will be encouraged to grow in a u-shape downwards. The corresponding branches will be needed to grow horizontally in order to give the tree a full appearance. Typically, the bonsai artist will plant the species in the center of the pot and not near the edge. The tree will frequently be trained to go up and over the pot, rather than just limply over the edge. In this way, the tree will give a flowing look and have a tip that resides directly above the center. The branches should be trimmed carefully to create a stair-step pattern in order to complement the cascading look and give it a look that simulates a meandering river, flowing.

Since the trunk and its branches will eventually be below the pot, the bonsai artist should take special care to make sure that all branches receive plenty of water and nutrients. You can choose foliar feeding, which is where you apply a fertilizer solution to the leaves or needles by spraying it on the leaves, which is then absorbed by the foliage.

Han-Kengai (Semi-cascade)
The han-kengai is often a separate category from the kengai style, although you might think that they would be put together. In the case of the han-kengai, the cascade tree goes over the horizontal plane of the pot, but neither the branches nor the tree trunk will grow that low. In this style, the tip remains over the level or ground of the pot.

The han-kengai style is not strictly defined, since sometimes you will see the han-kengai drop below the ground level of the pot, while others maintain the horizontal projection. You will always see a curving tree that is common to both the kengai and han-kengai bonsai styles.

Using a tree species that is prone to these styles naturally is best for the bonsai artist. Many different tree species will work for the kengai and han-kengai styles, including junipers, cherry trees, cedars and more.

         

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