The Cincinnati Park Board welcomes you to the Krohn Conservatory Bonsai Collection. This incredible collection of bonsai trees is made possible through the cooperative efforts of the Cincinnati Park Board staff, members of the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati, and many other generous donors.

Many of these trees have been donated by society members, and many others are loaned during their peak seasons of bloom and fall color. The Krohn Collection is always changing as trees are rotated in, to exhibit their sesonal beauty. During the summer season additional hardy bonsai are exhibited in the outdoor Elizabeth Bakhaus Gale Memorial Garden at the Krohn.

About Bonsai

The word bonsai (pronounced bone-sigh) means "tree in a pot" and is the art of reproducing natural tree forms in miniature.

Bonsai is a creative form of expression: trees are styled to reflect age, naturalness, and simplicity. Bonsai is a dynamic art, constantly changing- a living sculpture never quite finished.

The basic methods of bonsai have their origins in the Orient, where certain styles and training techniques were developed over 2,000 years ago. But, bonsai is no longer an exclusively oriental art form. Americans have adopted bonsai for use with our native tress.

There is nothing mysterious about bonsai. It only requires a sense of design, basic horticultural knowledge about your tree, and a healthy dose of patience.

Most traditional bonsai are hardy trees and shrubs like pine, maple, juniper, elms, and spruce. Like their full-size counterparts, they require exposure to the changing seasons. However, these "outdoor" bonsai must be protected from wind, direct afternoon sun, and deep freezing temperatures. During their growing season, they may be brought inside for a few days at a time for display. In winter, they require an unheated, sheltered place like a garage or enclosed porch.

Non-hardy, tropical trees can also be trained as bonsai. Small-leaved varieties of familiar house plants like ficus and schefflera, as well as citrus, serissa, and gardenia are common. While these "indoor" bonsai usually benefit from time out of doors during their growing season, most can be grown under artificial light year-round.

The small pots, restricted root growth, and porous soil that limit the size of bonsai also influence the care they require. Frequent watering of bonsai is very important. They must be checked daily, except for dormant outdoor trees.

Healthy bonsai also require continual maintenance: fertilizing, reporting, and control of insects and diseases. Repeated trimming, pruning, and wiring of branches is needed for bonsai to achieve their traditional artistic style.

Other Resources

Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati
The Civic Garden Center
2715 Reading Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Phone 1-513-221-TREE (0981)
Website: www.cincinnatibonsai.com
*The society sponsors many beginner classes and welcomes new members

Books:

• The Essentials of Bonsai; Timber Press
• Bonsai - The Complete Guide to Art & Technique; by Paul Lesniwcz
• Bonsai - The Illustrated Guide to an Ancient Art; Sunset Books

Periodicals:

• Bonsai Magazine - The Official Publication of Bonsai Clubs International

Organizations and Societies:

• International Bonsai
  P.O. Box 23894- Rochester, NY 14692
  *There are also clubs in Dayton, Columbus, and Newark Ohio; Louisville, Lexington, and Evansville Kentucky; and Indianapolis, Indiana. National Bonsai Arboretum- Washington D.C.