Bonsai Style - Formal Upright (chokkan)
The formal upright style is by far the most basic in the bonsai forms. Being the most basic, it is expected for this style to be done easily and quickly. This is true specifically for the reason that formal upright requires only in the least experimentation possible. It does not even employ most of the selective pruning
methods, and what’s further nice to know is that it holds the most displayable nature of bonsai.
But what exactly is evident for the formal upright in terms of form?
This is what basically you can notice: In formal upright, you can find your tree or plant growing rounded or in a conical shape. Its branches are erect and horizontal in growth, but one is positioned lower and extending a bit farther from the rest of the branches and trunks. Other than that, it is typical for the upright form to feature two branches of the lowest position.
These branches are trained to grow forward on the frontal side of the miniature plant, with one branch a bit lengthy than the other. The third branch then is what extends out through the back of the tree right in the middle of the two side branches. It is this part which offers the bonsai a sense of depth.
One thing that must be noted with the formal upright style of bonsai is that the trunk of the tree should be kept straight, while the branches should be maintained in a symmetrical way, giving the plant a sense of depth and balance.
Recommended Species: There are a number of plant species applicable for this specific form. Included in the list are the junipers, larches, pines, as well as spruces. The other alternative may include the maples, redwood, Japanese cedar, and cypress.
Recommended Techniques: For a beginner to succeed in developing a formal upright style of bonsai, he or she should make sure that about one third of the trunks that grow upright should be noticeable from the front. Other than that, the branches should be kept in a pattern that goes like this: the bottom branches should be trimmed the longest and proportionate.
The width of the branches decreases when it comes to those that are growing up the bottom branch and through the tip of the plant. Just think about a cone-like form. That’s how the formal upright bonsai is grown.
To achieve the upright and proportionate position of trunks and branches, one should start cutting the growing apex of the branches and trunks off regularly. A new branch should be wired into a position for it for form as the plant’s tip.
Learn More Techniques To Proper Bonzai Care and The Understanding To Growing a Bonzai Tree
Tags: bonsai type, chokkan, formal upright, types of bonsai trees, bonsai bonsai style
