Selecting a lead tree isn’t always easy. Especially with so many good Gede Merta (Bonsai Bali) bonsai to choose from. I settled on this one partly because it’s a full cascade and good full cascade bonsai aren’t that common, and partly because of the tree’s overall relaxed feel; the unusual way the foliage seems draped across the top and just how loose all the foliage hangs. Not to say that its wild shape and extraordinary deadwood aren’t enough to make this tree worthy. But then most of Gede Merte’s bonsai show wild shapes and extraordinary deadwood. The tree is Pemphis acidula. A very common plant in Indonesia.
Usually when we think of Asian bonsai, Japan and China come to mind. However, if you’ve been paying attention you can’t help but notice that something is afoot is Southeast Asia. In this case it’s Indonesia, which to my eye is leading a revolution in certain wild styles of collected Tropical bonsai. And one of the undisputed leaders in this revolution is Gede merta (Bonsai Bali). All the trees in this post are his (from facebook). About three years ago, we caught on to Gede Merta and have featured his bonsai several times here on Bark.
Another extraordinary Pemphis acidula.
And yet another. Gede Merta’s caption says ‘theme: bird.’
This makes four Pemphis acidula in a row. The theme is ‘dance.’
Aha. A non-Phempis. The caption says Hokian tea. A more common name might be Fukien tea.
Finally, another Pemphis acidula. The theme is ‘People.’ Is this because we grow up the first part of our life and then down after that? Or am I missing something?
That last tree, People, is obviously a man bending over picking up a leafy pile of something; collecting a tree?
The deadwood that goes off to the right, where the trunk makes a 90 degree downward bend, has lips, a nose and a forehead. It’s practically an Ent.
JE
Hi John,
Now that you’ve pointed it out, sure enough, there it is.