Several super mini Premna microphylla arranged on an impressive stone. This planting and the rest of the mini bonsai shown here are by Robert Steven.
All good things… Today is packing up and leaving day. The end of an excellent vacation. I’ve been trying to post every day,* even if it means dipping into our archives. This one originally appeared in 2010. I’ve made a few changes, but it’s still about the same amazingly small bonsai (all Premna microphylla).
The smaller the more difficult…
Robert Steven sent us these incredibly tiny bonsai a few days ago. Here’s what he has to say about them and small bonsai in general: “As you know, the basic concept in bonsai is to make a mature looking tree that is scaled way down. The smaller the bonsai, the more difficult it is to make. This is because it is difficult to form ramification (branching) and reduce leaf size enough so that the proportions evoke a mature tree in nature.
One of the best species to make super mini bonsai is Premna microphylla because the leaves size can be reduced significantly from its original of approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) to only 2 mm (1/12th inch). Here’s proof from an earlier post.
This post shows some super mini bonsai in my collection. Their size is approximately 2 cm (a little less than 1 inch).”
Robert Steven
Robert Steven is a internationally respected bonsai artist, teacher and author. His widely acclaimed and trans-formative books are Vision of My Soul (out of print) and Mission of Transformation. In addition to traveling, teaching, writing, publishing, creating his own blog and developing his own trees, Robert has been kind enough to offer critiques of our reader’s bonsai. Send us a photo and Robert will generously offer you his critique.
*One of the reasons I’ve been trying to post everyday is to promote the business that supports all this. It’s called Stone Lantern. Right now we’re featuring a couple tool sales that will end tonight.
Our 25% off Roshi and Bonsai Aesthestics Tool Sale ends tonight at 11:59 EDT. We are also offering FREE Shipping on U.S. orders of 40.00 or more. This too will end tonight.