This powerfully built gem is from Ficus, the Exotic Bonsai by Jerry Meislik. It looks like a Benjamina cultivar, though I can’t be sure because my copy of the book is in Vermont and I’m not.

On the road number three
Still on the road and just have time to put together a little ficus gallery for your enjoyment. Two are from Jerry Meislik’s book, and the other two are from the web.

Big ficus fan
If you want to grow bonsai indoors (winter or year round), you’ll be hard pressed to find subjects better suited than ficus, though some varieties are better suited than others. A couple that I’ve had luck with are the Green Island (F. microcarpa) and the Too Little (F. benjamina ‘Too Little’). I’ve also had some luck with the Willow Leaf ficus (F neriifolia – there is some disagreement about the botanical name – here’s a discussion by Robert Kempinski, author of Introduction to Bonsai). If you have any experience with other varieties (successful or otherwise), let us know.

A large Willow leaf ficus with some impressive aerial roots from Ficus, the Exotic Bonsai.

A large Benjamina with a well developed nebari by Bradley Barlow, from The Art of Bonsai.

This simple Willow leaf planting is from a bonsai exhibit on Morikami’s website. Though it’s far from a masterpiece, it does have some charm and is the type of project that almost any beginner might attempt.

Suthin Sukosolvisit shows some serious stuff (sorry) with this powerful shohin (small bonsai) display. This type multi-tree display is the way shohin bonsai typically appear in judged shows. Check out Morten Albek’s Shohin Bonsai to see the rules (written and unwritten) for shohin display.

Suthiin Sukosolvisit
I’ve long been a fan of Suthin’s. Not just because of his shohin (though he is best known for those), but because he shows mastery across a range of bonsai sizes and styles. Still, shohin is what this post is about, and when it comes to shohin, Suthin is one of the best artists around.

This little masterpice looks like a Chinzan Azalea. But that’s just a guess. Suthin’s Royal Bonsai site doesn’t say.

Has concave cutters (and a winning smile), will travel
I just spoke with Dara, Suthin’s wife, who keeps things together when Suthin travels (in fact… but that’s another story). Suthin is in Milwaukee right now with Kentucky next in line. You can inquire about workshops, demos or private lesson at 781-344-6358 or royalbonsai@comcast.net. You can also make an appointment to visit Royal Bonsai.

I’m pretty sure this is a Willowleaf ficus. I’ll even go farther and guess that the original stock came from Jim Smith of Vero Beach (Dura Stone). Maybe someone out there knows and can set the record straight.

This one is so easy to identify that I won’t even say (you can comment). Whether or not it qualifies as a shohin, size wise, your guess is as good as mine (maybe better).

Robert Kempinski (author of Introduction to Bonsai) has an excellent article at Knowledge of Bonsai on Shohin Willow Leaf Ficus (the photo above was borrowed from the article). Check it and a slew of other good stuff out, including a revealing exposé on nasty (but beautifully photographed) little aphids by Heather Hartman.

While you are at it, take a look at two related books we offer: Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek (Stone Lantern Publishing), and Ficus: The Exotic Bonsai by Jerry Meislik (Devonshire Gardens Ltd.).