Trees and shrubs with branches are suitable for Bonsai cultivation and in India popular species are chiku and banyan. You start with a source material (Bonsai sapling) which may be a small portion of a thin branch or it may be newly germinated plant. This is placed in a pot and watered as well as fertilized. As it grows the plant is trimmed, pruned, shaped, grafted and roots clipped to enable development of a miniature tree of the envisaged shape. A Bonsai will only take proper form after it has been nurtured for at least 10 to 12 years.
Bonsai has been present in India from decades and various organisations and clubs dedicated to Bonsai are functional in cities. Beginners learn fundamentals of Bonsai by attending classes. Exhibitions and workshops also take place and renowned Bonsai masters from abroad are invited to these events to lecture and demonstrate new and innovative techniques in Bonsai cultivation. So, go for it but ensure that you have one hour to spare every day to trim, prune and shape the plant.
Bonsai is a time-consuming passion and requires dedication but the sheer joy and thrill of seeing your Bonsai grow makes the effort worthwhile!