Home and Garden: Sharing My Fascination With Bonsai Trees

 Are you fascinated by bonsai trees? I am.

Did You Know:
The word bonsai means “tree in a flowerpot” or “tree in a pot”?

The Japanese adopted the art of growing miniature trees from the Chinese.

Its origin is traced back to Zen Buddhism when Chinese monks developed the dwarfed trees in monasteries as a spiritual practice to inculcate peace and tranquility.

The first Bonsai trees, according to legend, were from an ancient Emperor of the Han dynasty.

The smallest bonsai tree in the world will fit in the palm of your hand.

The most famous bonsai in the world is called “Goshin – Protector of the Spirits” created by the legendary John Naka, and is actually a combination of 11 separate Juniper trees, each representing one of his 11 grandchildren.

Learn more fascinating fun facts about the bonsai.

** Interesting Facts That You Should Know about Bonsai Trees - Bonsai Tree Gardener ~ 

** Oldest Bonsai Tree: Fascinating Facts On Bonsai Trees For Kids! | Kidadl

** Facts about Bonsai – Verdissimo 

** The symbolism of Bonsai | Deccan Herald

** The The Complete History of Bonsai Trees - Bonsai Sanctum 

 

Happy Earth Day! ~ It's Been 50 Years! or 50 Billion. But Who's Counting?

I ... I mean "We" ... should be more diligent since the earth is everyone’s home. This means Earth Day should probably be marked on everyone's calendar.

Let’s not even mention Climate Change or Global Warming. My way of participating in Earth Day is to celebrate TREES.

Below are a few links to show my care and concern about planet earth, our home. I can’t really say a lot because science was never my best subject.

Indian Banyan Tree And The Pippal Tree

- These trees have cultural significance as they are considered sacred by the Hindus and Buddhists.  The banyan tree is the National Tree of India.  All trees should have cultural significance to everybody.  Next link!

Trees Deserve Respect

- The presence of trees is what separates earth from all the other planets.

Celebrate Earth Day and Help Protect the Planet

- Donate, reuse, and recycle; save energy, and maintain an awareness of environmental needs.  So what if you can’t afford a hybrid car.  You can use a recycle bin and turn off lights!

DON’T KILL RAPTORS!!

- Raptors are birds of prey.  They serve a very important purpose.  They help maintain a balance in our environment.


Content previously published at my partner blog.

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The Earth flag is not an official flag, since there is no official governing body over Earth. The flag holds a photo transfer of a NASA image of the Earth on a dark blue background. It has been associated with Earth Day. Although the flag was originally copyrighted, a judge ruled that the copyright was invalid. Earth Flag Ltd. v. Alamo Flag Co., 154 F. Supp. 2d 663 (S.D.N.Y. 2001) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do a little dance this #EarthDay! ? pic.twitter.com/Aur98Q6UDb

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) April 22, 2020

Just shared my thoughts. Happy Earth Day, Custodians of the Universe! Please try to be better guardians. ❤️?￰ﾟﾒﾙ?https://t.co/X6ZlUcsCC8 pic.twitter.com/UpkXHYCJ3L

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 22, 2020

Iceland Encourages Residents to Hug a Tree for Five Minutes to Combat Loneliness https://t.co/N0LkriPlkr via @flipboard @Rx4Wellness2018 #mentalillness ~ maintain your #sanity ~ appreciate #trees ~ celebrate #EarthDay

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 22, 2020

Balsam: For Priests, Kings and Everyday People

Balsam or balm has been very important since ancient times. 

Here are a few interesting facts.

- Balsam was an ingredient in the anointing oil of the Jewish priests.

- The Queen of Sheba brought balsam as a gift to King Solomon.

- Ishmaelites were traders who sold slaves, spices, myrrh and balm (or balsam).

- Common names for the balsam tree are the balm of Gilead, balsam of Gilead, and balsam of Mecca.

- The Greek term balsamon means “fragrant oil”.

- Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, and Turks all prized the balm of Gilead. But the fact is, it was precious and highly valued by everyone because of its healing qualities.

• Image credit: ‘The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon’...by Edward Poynter via Wikimedia Commons

DID YOU KNOW?

"Balm of Gilead, known also as the Judaean balsam, grew only around the Dead Sea Basin in antiquity and achieved fame by its highly reputed aroma and medical properties but has been extinct in this area for many centuries. The resin of this crop was sold, by weight, at a price twice that of gold, the highest price ever paid for an agricultural commodity. This crop was an important source of income for the many rulers of ancient Judea; the farmers' guild that produced the balm of Gilead survived over 1,000 years."  (Source)

"Balsam was counted among the renowned perfume and incense plants, like myrrh and frankincense, that grew in restricted habitats. The plant grew wild in Arabia. Its great importance stemmed from its rarity; only in Judea and in the oases of Jericho and Ein Gedi did it grow as a cultivated plant, as noted by Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE): 'But every other scent ranks below balsamum. The only country to which this plant has been vouchsafed is Judaea.' " (Source)

Want to know more?  Here are a few additional references.

• Medicinal Herb Info: Balm
• Essential Oils: Balsam Fir
• History of Perfumery
• Medicinal Uses of Balm of Gilead

Plant Profile: Eucalyptus | Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs (Reblog)

Although the eucalyptus tree is indigenous to Australia, it has been successfully cultivated in several other countries. It grows fast and it grows big and tall. Some can grow up to two hundred fifty feet. This tree's eco-friendly environmental benefits and proven medicinal uses are phenomenal. 

In Guatemala, the trees were planted to “complete reclamation of water bogged malarial swamps”. 

It has many herbal remedies and its commercial use is well known as it is a key ingredient in an over-the-counter product that has been around more than half a century. Vicks Vapo Rub. Oh yes! How could we breathe without it?

More fun facts about this tree?

• Also known as “Tasmania blue gum” and a sub-species is known as “Maiden’s gum”.


• It is “a popular tree for cultivation and reforestation efforts”. The tree can adapt to local conditions wherever it is planted in just a few generations.


• “Australian aborigines traditionally used various herbal remedies made from different parts of the Eucalyptus to treat fevers and all kinds of infections.”


• Eucalyptus is an essential oil and can be used internally and externally.

(P.S. If you're reading this on a Tuesday, then Happy Tree Tuesday!)

Check info references and other related links to learn more about this natural wonder.

Plant Profile: Eucalyptus {Eucalyptus globulus} | Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs (Reblog)

Happy Earth Day!

Today is April 22 and it's Earth Day. To celebrate I am recommending that my blog readers subscribe to Mother Nature Network. If you love planet earth, you'll love the MNN publication. They are a constant and consistent reminder of the celebration of life on this wonderful planet that we take for granted. A life which, no matter what the space explorers and scientists or Nostradamus tell you, can be never duplicated by building a colony on Mars or Titan or anywhere else in the universe. 


Click to view an infographic depicting "NASA's Plan to Put Thousands of People in Space Colonies" (click on the image to enlarge if necessary). Infographic from Space.com.


The reality is we need to make an earnest effort to maintain the Earth because it's all we've got!
Happy Earth Day!

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