How ‘bonsaichology’ can help ease your lockdown stresses

Anxiety and depression have taken their toll on many people in lockdown, but local psychologist and bonsai-addict Dr Caroll Hermann says there are ways to cope.

Dr Hermann says that even she has experienced the effects of lockdown and has found bonsai to be an escape.

While many may not be familiar with the art of bonsai, Dr Hermann offered advice on the basics of what you need to get started.

“Art is a known therapy tool and a lot of psychologists have special interests in art therapy. It allows you to express your emotions in a safe, contained environment. There are very many different forms of art therapy, such as painting, writing, clay and what I call ‘bonsaichology’. Bonsai has always been my go-to for happy and sad times in my life,” she explained.

But where does one even begin?

Fortunately, people don’t have to look far, with nurseries and garden centres being able to trade under Lockdown Level 3.

Dr Hermann says you could find a very nice piece of material to work with at most centres but, in most cases, people would want to take a look at the stock staff have moved to the back.

“Very often nurseries put damaged trees at the back because they think they won’t sell. This is exactly the type of material we are looking for.”

She suggests taking a day and making a trip to your nursery or garden centre of choice – pointing out that often indigenous nurseries boast the best options.

Good choices for the North Coast climate are fig and acacia trees – popular choices include the Natal fig (Ficus Natalensis) and Black Monkeythorn (Acacia Burkeii).

These species are easy to maintain and can easily be turned into a working piece of bonsai material from seed in as little as two years.

If you’d prefer not to grow from seed, consider a starter tree of the same species around the two to five year range.

Prices range between R40 and R200, depending on the state of the material and effort already put into turning the tree into a bonsai, or pre-bonsai.

If you are a beginner with little to no experience, stick with the age range above to avoid losing money should you accidentally kill your tree by re-potting at the wrong time of year or by over pruning it.

Familiarise yourself with your species of choice and its needs and study nature to see how trees grow in the wild.

This is also a great way to get some fresh air which could easily be turned into a family outing.

As for pots, you don’t need to have the perfect one straight away.

Grow bags or plastic basins allow the tree space to grow and fatten the trunk faster.

Pot-planted trees have in many cases achieved the designer’s planned outcome, with the only maintenance now being done to keep the bonsai in shape and healthy.

“Do not fill grow bags or plastic basins to the top with soil, as you don’t want to strengthen or allow the tap root to grow straight down. Instead fill the basin – which needs drainage holes – with a 50/50 mixture of coarse sand and potting soil. This will help with fine root development and keep the tree healthy.”

If you’d prefer to buy a finished piece of material, expect to pay a lot more.

That being said, you can still replant the tree into a new pot and set about creating different landscapes.

“I enjoy doing this and creating scenes with my bonsai,” said Dr Hermann. She recently recreated a Buddhist temple ruin using a Natal fig tree.

She is hopeful that one day the roots will ‘strangle’ the temple, making it look old and ruined.

“Bonsai is a very rewarding hobby as you work with living art which keeps changing. It is never finished. This gives us something to care for when we miss loved ones or friends and can help us de-stress after a difficult day at work.”

Download The North Coast Courier mobile app, now available free from the Apple iStore and on Google Play, for IOS and Android phones.